Vietnamese electric vehicle maker VinFast is considering equipping some models with small petrol engines to recharge batteries and extend driving range, Reuters reported on Monday, citing three people familiar with the plan and job advertisements, signalling a potential partial shift from its all-electric strategy.
The Nasdaq-listed automaker is seeking to lift sales and expand overseas as growing losses weigh on parent company Vingroup, Vietnam’s largest conglomerate. One source said a team was tasked in November to explore converting the VF9 SUV into a range-extended electric vehicle (REEV), while another said hybrid options are also under review. All sources said the plans remain preliminary.
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Asked about the move, Vingroup told Reuters it would “not overlook opportunities to research and develop new products that align with customer preferences, needs, and market trends,” adding, “There is no change to our overall strategy.”
The reassessment comes as other major automakers evaluate similar approaches. BMW is considering equipping some of its larger electric models with range-extender technology, with a primary focus on the Chinese market, Bloomberg reported. Separately, Audi is planning a new SUV designed specifically for the U.S. market and aims to build the model locally through a production partnership with Volkswagen Group’s Scout brand, Germany’s Automobilwoche reported.
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VinFast stopped producing petrol vehicles in 2022 and pledged under the COP26 declaration to sell only zero-emission vehicles in major markets by 2035. REEVs still produce emissions but generally less than plug-in hybrids. Chinese automakers such as Li Auto and Leapmotor already produce range-extended models.