VinFast Sending VF3 Small SUV to America While Eyeing a Pickup
The Vietnamese automaker showed up to CES 2024 with big news and a big pickup truck.
The Vietnamese automaker is off to a rocky start here in America. Its launch of the all-electric VinFast VF8 SUV last year did not go over well with U.S. media (us included, though the Canadian reviews—and sales—have been better, for what it's worth), but the company sure knows how to keep itself in the news cycle. At CES in 2024, VinFast has announced that its previously-revealed and very tantalizing compact electric VF3 SUV would eventually make its way to the U.S., which should make it the smallest and most affordable new electric car on the market. VinFast also showed up with a so-called "Wild" electric pickup truck concept that could preview something for the U.S. as well. Here's the direction VinFast wants to head in the near future.
VinFast Wild Pickup Truck
We probably should have anticipated a VinFast pickup would show up soon after the automaker planted itself in the U.S. market, as it's the kind of vehicle Americans are into the most when you look at the sales numbers. The Wild measures in at 209 inches long and 79 inches wide, which is just as wide and a few inches shorter in length than a Rivian R1T electric truck, for comparison—sort of a plus-size midsize truck.
The Wild's standard bed length is around 5 feet, comparable to the Rivian, but can be extended via a cabin midgate that folds down, along with the second row of seating. This brings the bed "floor" length to up to a total of 8 feet in usable surface. The overall design, visually, is reminiscent more of the Ram REV concept truck than anything else, though unique to VinFast's own tastes including a leather-wrapped interior, two-prong steering wheel, bed steps, and a unique roof taillight that might be mimicking radar antenna appliqués.
Interestingly, this new Wild concept truck is seemingly different from the one VinFast hired Italdesign director Filippo Perini to draw up back in 2020, which had its images publicly patented and reported on. Regardless, the new VinFast "Wild" pickup truck has not yet been confirmed for production, instead apparently serving as a point of inspiration for future U.S. VinFast models that could include a potential pickup one day.
VinFast VF3 Compact SUV
Imagine an all-electric Suzuki Jimny SUV and you're not far from the concept of the VinFast VF3 that debuted back in June of 2023, initially said to be exclusively for the Vietnamese market. Motor1 now reports that company reps on the CES show floor suggested they would start taking U.S. reservations later in 2024 for a potential local market launch.
The VF3 measures in at a short length of just 125.6 inches, significantly shorter than a comparable modern Suzuki Jimny, but wider at 66.1 inches, and lower overall at 63.8 inches tall, riding on 16-inch wheels with all-terrain tires. It's a two-door only for now, seating two rows of passengers, with an additional 19.4 cubic feet of cargo space said to be available with the rear row folded flat. There's a 10-inch infotainment screen compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto fitted inside.
In Vietnam, the VF3 is so far only available with a single motor configuration, with two available trims: Eco and Plus. Reports have suggested a starting price around $20,000 or less, with a claimed range of 125 miles on a charge (this thing is small, so expect a relatively small battery pack, and cheap, so not a dense one).
More VinFast SUVs
That's the more interesting side of VinFast's projected future, with the rest of the crystal ball fogged by a storm of SUV models already on sale, with more on the way. The VF8 did not have a great review launch from us or many other outlets, plagued by quality control issues and buggy software, but things have seemingly improved after a recall and steady sales growth in the North American market (though surely nothing to write home to Vietnam about yet). 2024 is set to be another busy year with planned launches of the VF6, VF7, and VF9 SUVs in the U.S.
The VF6 is a compact SUV (smaller than a comparable Kia Niro EV) available in Vietnam only as front-wheel drive with a single e-motor in two trims (Eco and Plus), with a 59.6 kWh battery capacity good for between 174 and 201 horsepower and up to 248 miles of range on the WLTP test cycle. It features a striking fascia design with a big winged DRL unit and sculpted rear end that should help it stand out.
The VF7 SUV, which is slightly bigger than the VF6, would be the closer Niro competitor at an almost identical overall length and size, offering a 75.3 kWh battery pack good for either 201 or a whopping 348 hp in either of its two Eco or Plus trims, with either 280 or 268 miles of claimed range, respectively. Pricing for both new VF6 and VF7 SUVs is yet to be announced.
Regarding the lineup, the next-up would be the VF8, which is currently on sale. The next model to hit the U.S. market (before the VF6 and VF7) should be the largest, the three-row, seven-seater VF9 SUV, which is also already available for order online at a staring MSRP of $79,800 before delivery fees. It's slightly smaller than a Cadillac CT6 and much shorter than an Escalade for a size comparison (i.e. it's a smaller three-row package). Both available trims come with a 123 kWh battery good for 402 hp on both, and between 291 and 330 miles of range.
Justin Westbrook eventually began writing about new cars in college after starting an obsessive action movie blog. That developed into a career covering news, reviews, motorsports, and a further obsession with car culture and the next-gen technology and design styles that are underway, transforming the automotive industry as we know it.
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