VinFast has officially begun shipping its new mini electric SUV, the VinFast VF 3, after a successful pre-order phase. The VF 3, which starts at under $13,000, has garnered significant attention, with the company calling it a âsocial media phenomenon.â
VinFast introduced the VF 3 in January, describing it as a vehicle designed to make city travel ânot only sustainable but also more accessible.â Pre-orders opened four months later, with an introductory price of 235 million VND (approximately $9,248) for the battery subscription model. The purchase price for the VF 3 with the battery was set at 315 million VND (around $12,400).
The automaker highlighted that the full payment for the VF 3 is half the cost of the cheapest gas-powered car in Vietnam. Customers could also opt for a down payment of 50 to 70 million VND ($2,000 to $2,750), with the remainder financed over eight years.
VinFast secured 27,649 pre-orders within 66 hours, setting a new record for the Vietnamese automotive industry. The VF 3 became a âsocial media phenomenon in Vietnam,â topping trend charts, according to the company.
On Thursday, VinFast announced the commencement of VF 3 shipments, with prices now starting at around $12,800 (322 million VND). The company aims to deliver at least 20,000 VF 3 models this year as production ramps up.
VinFast noted that some VF 3 buyers are adding the vehicle as a second option to their existing ones. The VF 3 will initially roll out in Vietnam, with plans to enter the Philippines later this year and other international markets such as Europe, Southeast Asia, and the United States in 2025.
While VinFast initially aimed to sell 100,000 EVs this year, it has revised its target for 2024 to 80,000, still more than double the nearly 35,000 units delivered last year. According to some estimates, the VF 3 will still cost under $20,000 when it arrives in the U.S.
VinFast’s new mini electric SUV has drawn considerable interest, positioning it as a strong contender in the EV market.
