According to Autocar India, VinFast has recently filed design patents for its two latest models, the Klara S electric motorcycle and the VF 3 in India. This move indicates that the company is actively preparing important steps before officially launching in the mass market.
Autocar reports that VinFast was established in 2017, renowned for its premium electric cars, but the company also has various electric motorcycles sold in the domestic market. One of those motorcycles is Klara S, a product likely to make its way to the Indian market.
VinFast Klara S boasts an impressive exterior design with overall dimensions (length x width x height) of 1,850 x 730 x 1,130 mm. Based on these measurements, Klara S can be considered compact and flexible in current traffic conditions in Vietnam.
The motorcycle is powered by a 1,200 W Bosch motor and utilizes LG Chem’s most advanced battery technology. The vehicle uses advanced LFP batteries, capable of traveling up to 194 km per full charge under standard conditions. VinFast Klara S has 2 driving modes: Eco and Sport, with an acceleration ability of reaching 50 km/h in 12 seconds and a maximum speed of up to 78 km/h.
In Vietnam, the motorcycle has a price of VND 35 million (battery rental) and VND 54.9 million (battery purchase). Meanwhile, in India, electric motorcycles typically have a price range of around USD 1,000 (VND 24.6 million). In the past 3 years, the registration of such type of vehicle has increased more than 10 times. This market segment in the most populous country in the world is predicted to be valued at up to USD 100 billion. This is a great opportunity for VinFast’s electric motorcycles.
In addition, the mini electric car model VF 3 has also been patented by VinFast. The VF 3 has dimensions of 3,190 x 1,679 x 1,620 mm, slightly longer and wider than the MG Comet EV (2,974 x 1,505 x 1,640 mm), but smaller than the Tata EV Tiago (3,769 x 1,677 x 1,636 mm). These are all popular car models in the Indian market. Currently, there is no information about the selling price of the VF 3.
Around 50 days ago, the Vietnamese electric vehicle manufacturer signed a memorandum of understanding with the Tamil Nadu state government (India), followed by the groundbreaking ceremony of an electric vehicle manufacturing plant on over 160 ha in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu on February 25, 2024.
With a total initial investment of USD 500 million within the 5-year plan, the plant is expected to produce 150,000 vehicles per year and create jobs for 3,000-3,500 local people.
On the occasion of the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of VinFast’s plant in India, VinFast India CEO Pham Sanh Chau shared that the company will offer 6 variants in different segments. After analyzing the Indian market and export opportunities, VinFast will focus on the most sought-after segment. Therefore, the Vietnamese automaker will expand its electric vehicle portfolio, rather than solely focusing on SUVs as it does now.
