VinFast says four EV models coming to U.S.

Although Vietnamese automaker VinFast has yet to deliver its first electric vehicles to the U.S. market this year as promised, it's already presenting two future U.S.-bound models at the L.A. auto show beginning Thursday.

The company, which is phasing out gas models this year in favor of EVs, is showing the subcompact VF 6 and compact VF 7 to complement the VF 8 and VF 9 midsize models that are already open for pre-order.

The four crossovers cover the B, C, D and E segments, VinFast said, representing roughly the subcompact to midsize segments in the U.S. The VF 8, the first model scheduled to arrive in the U.S., is a two-row crossover while the VF 9 is a three-row model that VinFast describes as full-sized.

"VinFast will display four all-electric SUV models — the VF 6, VF 7, VF 8 and VF 9 — which represent the most popular segments," VinFast said in a statement. "For the first time, U.S. customers will experience the interior and exterior design details of the VF 6 and VF 7."

The automaker presented the VF 8 and VF 9 at last year's L.A. auto show. Then, the VF 8 was known as the e35 while the VF 9 was called the e36. VinFast began producing gas-engine vehicles in 2019 but announced its global EV intentions at the 2021 L.A. auto show. It plans sales in Canada and Europe at the same time as the U.S.

VinFast said it has received more than 65,000 reservations for the VF 8 and VF 9 globally, but did not break down those numbers by country or region.

The automaker said last week that it delivered the first batch of VF 8 crossovers to customers in Vietnam beginning in September "and is about to ship thousands of vehicles to international markets, which are anticipated to arrive by the end of this year."

Since announcing its plans to enter the U.S. market last year, VinFast has lost access to federal tax incentives of up to $7,500 per vehicle since the rules changed recently with the Inflation Reduction Act. The new rules require EVs to be made in North America to receive the incentives.

VinFast has also received pushback against its original proposed sales model, which required buyers to purchase the vehicle without its battery pack and to lease the pack separately. VinFast now says the pack will be available for purchase as an option.

On its U.S. website, VinFast says the VF 8 will start at $42,200 without the battery and $57,000 with it, excluding shipping. The VF 9 will start at $57,500 without the battery and $76,000 with it. Monthly battery subscription prices vary based on vehicle, trim and mileage limits.