Written by Cláudio Afonso | info@claudio-afonso.com | LinkedIn | Twitter
The EV maker VinFast officially expanded to the U.S. market with the simultaneous opening of six stores in California. The opening ceremony was held on Thursday at Santa Monica’s store located at Santa Monica Place shopping center where customers could explore VinFast’s electric SUVs – the VF 8 and VF 9.
The EV maker has three different types of showrooms named as VinFast “1S, 2S, and 3S”. VinFast 1S stores are primarily located in “high-visibility shopping centers and are focused on vehicle display and sales” while 3S stores are the largest of the VinFast store and include merchandise vehicles, full car and parts sales, and include service centers”.
VinFast 2S stores are “visibly located on major thoroughfares and offer both parts and service, and also support nearby VinFast 1S stores. Additionally, these VinFast 2S stores support neighborhoods without other store types, but have high concentrations of VinFast customers,” the manufacturer explained.
Madam Le Thi Thu Thuy,VinFast Global CEO said: “The opening of the first six VinFast Stores in the US marks an important milestone in the company’s global journey, as we move toward bringing premium products and services to American consumers. I believe that introducing VinFast and interacting with customers one-on-one in our corporate-owned and operated stores is the best way to build relationships with customers and to ensure quality service. We are proud to drive the global EV revolution towards a sustainable future. This future officially takes its next step today in California and will soon expand across the US and globally.”
VinFast is also promoting its “VinFast Charged-Up” program for customers who reserve a VF 8 or VF 9 by September 30, 2022. This program offers a 1-year free VinFast Smart Driving package and also 3 years of free, unlimited charging at Electrify America’s coast-to-coast charging network or a Level 2 Home Charger with a $1,200 installation credit with its installation partner.
List of VinFast Store Opening locations in California
- VinFast Santa Monica: 395 Santa Monica Place, Space 171, Santa Monica
- VinFast Hillsdale: Hillsdale Shopping Center, 52 31st Ave, San Mateo
- VinFast Westfield UTC: Westfield UTC, 4545 La Jolla Village Drive, San Diego
- VinFast Citadel: Citadel Outlets: 100 Citadel Drive, Commerce
- VinFast Berkeley: Fourth Street Shops, 1733 4th Street, Berkeley
- VinFast Corte Madera: The Village, 1618 Redwood Hwy, Corte Madera
Last week, VinFast announced the investment of tens of millions in ProLogium, a solid-state battery manufacturer. The announcement comes six months after ProLogium and the automaker Mercedes-Benz agreement with the first test vehicles equipped with solid-state batteries expected to be introduced in the coming years.
VinFast also entered into a memorandum of understanding with ProLogium setting out strategic cooperation arrangements to secure battery supplies and support the goal of expanding its smart mobility solutions globally becoming long-term strategic partners in the future. In addition, the companies added that may also establish a joint-venture solid-state battery factory in Vietnam.
Recently, the company unveiled a partnership with the hologram leader Proto for the promotion of its VF8 & VF9 models in Canada. The Vietnamese EV maker will team with the award-winning company on the roadshow in Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver with a showcase “as innovative as the cars it promotes,” the company said.
Earlier this year, VinFast also announced a partnership with Electrify America giving users access to the network of ultra-fast charging stations across the U.S. Delivering a convenient and seamless charging experience, Plug & Charge is an innovative technology that allows drivers of capable vehicles to pay for a charging session by simply plugging in their EV, the company said.
Written by Cláudio Afonso | info@claudio-afonso.com | LinkedIn | Twitter