Present at CES 2024, the Vinfast brand presented a mini SUV for less than 30,000 euros as well as an astonishing pick-up, which comes to walk in the footsteps of Tesla and its Cybertruck.
We know that the young Vietnamese automobile brand Vinfast has great global ambitions. After having marked its presence in various European shows, it tackled a choice piece: the CES in Las Vegas, a show in which it presented two electric models: its new mini SUV, the VF3, but also a pick-up up of “medium” size called Wild.
VF3 will be global
Announced during the summer of 2023, the small VF3 will therefore enrich the 100% SUV catalog made up of the VF6 and VF7 to come, as well as the VF8 and VF9. Only 3.20 meters long, the VF3 envisages 4 passengers, but also claims 550 liters of trunk, which seems contradictory to say the least. You will probably have to choose between going as a couple with a lot of luggage, or as a group of 4, each with their own toothbrush.
We still know little about the technical services offered by the VF3, other than that it should allow up to 200 km of autonomy. This is undoubtedly a little short for use other than purely urban, or even peri-urban, because it also means real autonomy probably reduced by almost half.
As for the price, the price whispered during the CES was around 20,000 dollars, which should translate into a range of 25,000 to 30,000 euros if we apply 20% VAT and various import costs. Likewise, it is impossible at the moment to know whether this vehicle could claim any ecological bonus in France. In the meantime, it is an unexpected competitor for the little Suzuki Jimny, the attractive all-terrain vehicle which unfortunately only exists in a thermal version for the moment.
Wild: the anti Cybertruck?
The polar opposite of the VF3, Vinfast presented the Wild, a daring electric pick-up concept. Both luxurious in its interior presentation and adventurous in its finery, the Wild was designed by the Gomotiv design studio. Specializing in automotive products, GoMotiv has already produced the design of the Vinfast VF7, but also collaborated with Ford, the Chinese company Cherry and the accessories manufacturer Altra.
Around 5.40 meters long, the Wild competes with the Rivian R1T (5.53 m), but is significantly shorter than a Ford F150 Lightning (5.91 m), the Chevrolet Silverado EV (5. 92 m) or the Tesla Cybertruck (5.88 m). But even relatively modest among these monsters, it seems more intended for the American market than to become a tool of conquest in Europe. Style-wise, the Vinfast touch is clearly present, with the V in the center of the grille, surrounded by two light strips which stretch towards the sides. However, even with its body panels in contrasting colors, the rest is relatively modest. Especially if we try to compare it to the exuberant Cybertruck!
The interior presentation appears both futuristic and neat, with colors evoking high-end and a layout to match. Numerous screens, front and rear, mark a vehicle largely intended for family use before being utility. For the moment, no launch date has been announced.