CES 2022: VinFast unveils three electric SUVs

As promised last month, Vietnamese car-maker VinFast has revealed three all-new electric vehicles to bolster its global range that up until now has focused on larger models.

Officially dubbed the 2022 VinFast VF5, VF6 and VF7, the new battery-powered SUVs cover the light, small and medium segments respectively and join the larger VF8 and VF9 models.

The latter two cars were previously badged VFe35 and VFe36.

Word sleuths will notice the omission of the ‘e’ from prefixes from the model names, which is a deliberate move made by VinFast executives to affirm the brand’s “consistent all-electric orientation”.

Like their bigger stablemates, the three newcomers have all been penned by Pininfarina and Torino Design and that’s about all we know for the time being – VinFast is yet to release powertrain and standard equipment specifications.

That said, the company has nonetheless released initial European, US and Vietnamese pricing for the 2022 VinFast VF8 and VinFast VF9, each of which will be available in ‘Eco’ and ‘Plus’ model grades.

In the US, the VinFast VF8 Eco will start from $US41,000 ($A57,094) – the battery pack, battery lease, ADAS and Smart Service packages will cost extra – while the more lavish VF8 Plus will start from $US48,000 ($A66,844).

As for the bigger VinFast VF9, US prices start from $56,000 ($A77,981) for the Eco and $61,000 for the Plus ($A84,964).

Orders are now being taken in North America, Europe and VinFast’s home market, with customers asked to front up a refundable $US200 reservation fee.

Those who order before April 5 will be treated to either a $US3000 ($A4180) or $US5000 ($A6966) voucher for the VF8 and VF9 respectively.

The vouchers form part of VinFast’s ‘Pioneer’s Gratitude to Pioneers’ rewards program, which also bundles in a free portable charger, free ADAS and Smart Services packages as well as a free four-person, seven-night resort package to any Vinpearl hotel in Vietnam.

Once the program expires, VF8 and VF9 buyers will need to pay $US6500 ($A9056) for the Smart Services package, and thereby the vast majority of crucial driver assist features.

An alternative $US125 ($A174) monthly subscription fee will also be available.

All models will be covered by a 10-year/200,000km warranty.

There’s still no word yet on an Australian introduction, however the brand is expected to eventually emerge Down Under.

After all, it did carry out a significant amount of vehicle development here before it closed its Melbourne R&D centre and, later, also sold off the former Holden Lang Lang proving ground it purchased from General Motors.