The dream of a low-cost “Made-in-Vietnam” electric car will be realised next year when Vietnamese car manufacturer Vinfast launches its electric car that will only cost VND300 million ($13,141).
Vinfast will realise the dream by co-operating with EDAG, the world’s largest independent German engineering services provider.
Notably, on May 24, the two parties signed a contract for the complete development of the first electric vehicle for the Vietnamese automobile market, which is dominated by foreign players.
Accordingly, Vingroup, the investor of Vinfast, plans to conquer the car markets in Vietnam and beyond with two conventionally-powered vehicle models and a fully electric car. Top quality, affordable cars—this is Vinfast’s formula for success.
“We are proud that Vinfast has chosen us as the overall engineering partner to work on their trendsetting electric vehicle project,” stated Cosimo De Carlo, CEO of EDAG Group.
“Our all-round skills in vehicle and production plant development coupled with our expertise in the fields of eMobility, car IT, and electrics/electronics inspired the confidence of our customer Vinfast. EDAG’s standing as an independent engineering services provider with international experience predestines the firm to go new ways at high technical levels and turn innovative concepts into marketable products,” added Carlo.
Earlier in late-March, Vinfast announced the most popular of the electric designs offered to vote. The winner was the IDC EV A design.
According to the plan, the small electric hatchback model will be launched in late 2019, one year earlier than initially planned. The selling price is expected at VND300 million ($13,035) per vehicle, according to a source of Vingroup.
These electric models will have a competitive selling price compared to other automobile brands at the same segment.
In order to achieve this competitive selling price, Vinfast committed not to include expenses on copyright and design, on offsetting the depreciation of the plants or interest from loans to the selling price of each car.
Along with co-operating with EDAG to manufacture electric automobiles, Vinfast has made itself known by concepts made by famous designers Pininfarina, Ital Design, Torino Design, and One One Lab. These designs will become real automobiles within 16 months.
Moreover, Vinfast has collaborated with the leading technology brands worldwide, such as Siemens, Bosch, Magna Steyr, and BMW, and recruited a series of senior employees from international automobile manufacturers.
EDAG is an independent engineering service provider working for the global automotive industry. The company has a global network of some 60 branches at the world’s major automobile centres to serve leading national and international vehicle manufacturers and technologically discerning automotive suppliers.
In addition, EDAG also offers engineering services in the vehicle engineering, electrics/electronics, and production solutions segments.
Source: VIR
