Vinfast, the Vietnamese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer that’s owned by Vingroup, the largest conglomerate in its home market, has officially landed in the Philippines today. The Vietnamese brand is also solidifying its presence by having actual dealers, too, where they’ll soon start operating as well.
The Models
But first, let’s talk about what models will be sold in the Philippines. However, while these models are being previewed at SM Mall of Asia until June 2, pricing is still to be announced. There are four models to be offered, listed here in order in terms of their size: VF5, VFe34, VF7, and VF9.
VinFast VF5
The range kicks off with the VinFast VF5, an entry-level compact crossover SUV that’s designed to compete with the likes of the Geely GX3 Pro, Changan CS15, MG ZS, Toyota Raize, and even the upcoming Kia Sonet. It is also one of the new wave of Vinfast cars, whose styling was penned by Italian design house Pininfarina. As for the interior, expect features like a digital instrument cluster, and a touchscreen infotainment with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Finally, as for the drivetrain, the VinFast VF5 uses a single electric motor at the front wheels, producing 134 hp and 135 Nm of torque. With a 37.23 kWh battery, the VF5 can travel up to 326 km based on the NEDC test cycle.
VinFast VFe34
Despite the confusing name that would suggest it is the base of the range, the VinFast VFe34 is actually bigger than the VF5. It’s still a subcompact crossover SUV, but with a length of 4.3 meters, it’s more in line with the likes of the Toyota Yaris Cross, and Hyundai Creta, just to name a few. Despite the family resemblance, the VFe34 isn’t styled by Pininfarina. Despite this, the VFe34 has a larger 41.9 kWh battery that powers a single front-mounted electric motor, which produces 140 hp and 242 Nm of torque. Oddly enough, its range is less than the VF5’s at 318.6 km based again on the NEDC cycle.
VinFast VF7
Moving on to the brand’s more premium offerings, the VinFast VF7 has been styled by Lee Jae Hoon, formerly from General Motors. The VF7 gets premium touches like full LED exterior lighting (down to the turn signals), a very sleek and bold design, along with an interior to match its modern looks. There’s a large 15.6-inch touchscreen that’s unfortunately devoid of any physical controls, along with a head-up display that replaces the traditional gauges.
Now, in terms of the drivetrain, the VF7 has a front-mounted electric motor that produces 177 hp and 250 Nm of torque. The front-wheel drive (FWD) model has a 59.6 kWh battery that’s good for 375 km under the NEDC test cycle. There will also be a more powerful dual-motor all-wheel drive (AWD) model that produces 354 hp and 500 Nm of torque. With a larger 75.3 kWh battery, this model has a range of up to 450 km, also under the NEDC test cycle.
VinFast VF9
Finally, sitting on top of the range is the flagship VinFast VF9. The three-row electric crossover SUV measures nearly 5.2 meters long and like the VF5, is the work of Pininfarina. The VF9 has all the bells and whistles you now expect from a flagship SUV, such as a nice and tech-laden interior, a large 15.6-inch infotainment screen, three-row seating, and plenty of room for all your needs and cargo.
A big SUV means a big battery, and in this case, it’s a 123 kWh battery that juices up a dual-motor AWD drivetrain, which has a system output of 407 hp and 620 Nm of torque. It also has a range of 594 km, though this time, this is based on the WLTP testing cycle.
Oh Yes, It Has Dealers
Finally, if you’re going to be selling a car in the Philippines, you better have the dealer network to support your ambitions. Thankfully, VinFast has prepared itself for that, and we can expect some of them to start operating by the end of this month. These dealer groups that are based in Metro Manila are EV Solutions, K1 Prestige Bay Motors Inc, and Autoflare Corporation. Meanwhile, MNV Auto Group Inc., is headquartered in Iloilo City.
VinFast is also going to introduce a new business model for its EVs in the market. Apart from a 7- to 10-year warranty on vehicles, customers can choose a battery subscription policy–a first in the Philippines. VinFast will offer a free battery replacement and maintenance program if the battery capacity falls below 70 percent. This comprehensive plan provides peace of mind for Filipino customers throughout their ownership journey.
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