Two New Electric SUVs from Vietnam to be Sold in Canada
Vietnamese automaker VinFast promised to show its first-ever electric SUVs early in 2021. Consider it done.
But why are we talking about them? Because two of the three are coming to North America including Canada.
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The largest, called VF33, is 5,120 millimetres in length, or just a bit longer than a Ford Explorer. It uses a dual-motor powertrain that generates a total of 402 horsepower and draws energy from a massive battery with a capacity of 106 kWh. VinFast estimates the range at more than 480 kilometres.
The VF33 also features LED matrix headlights, a panoramic glass roof and a Tesla-style, 15.4-inch infotainment display. Of course, it’s available with three rows of seats.
Meanwhile, the VF32 is 4,780 millimetres long, which is pretty much identical to a Ford Edge. The aforementioned powertrain is optional. This model comes standard with a single motor rated at 201 horsepower and mated to a 90-kWh battery. Range is not specified, however.
The VF32’s feature content is largely similar to that of VF33.
When it comes to safety, VinFast expects both vehicles to meet the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) 5-star safety rating. Adaptive cruise control, collision prevention systems, 360-degree cameras and park assist are part of the mix, too, as well as advanced semi-autonomous driving technology.
Production will take place in Hai Phong, Vietnam. Canadian buyers will be able to order their SUVs in November and get them starting in June 2022.
Obviously, breaking through the North American market is an extremely daunting task, especially for a young company founded in 2017, but VinFast is subsidiary of Vietnam’s largest private corporation, Vingroup, which is owned by the country’s wealthiest man, Pham Nhat Vuong. It has plenty of resources, including an R&D centre in the U.S. already.