The Future of Ride-Hailing: A VinFast Exclusive?

VinFast Introduces New Line of Vehicles for Ride-Hailing Services

In a recent interview, Ms. Duong Thi Thu Trang, Vice President of Global Sales and Marketing at VinFast, confirmed that the Vietnamese automaker will be offering models specifically designed for ride-hailing services.

Specifically, VinFast will introduce a dedicated line of products optimized for ride-hailing services. In the near future, VinFast will launch an all-electric model called the M-Green, “designed to serve customers in the service business.”

Ms. Trang explained that the ‘M’ in M-Green stands for “mini,” indicating that the vehicle will be “slightly more compact than the VF 3.” She also mentioned that the VinFast M-Green will be significantly more affordable than the VF 3.

In the same interview, Ms. Trang shared that VinFast will be focusing on the Green line of vehicles dedicated to transportation services.

Currently, VinFast is reportedly researching and developing an all-electric 7-seater MPV. This model, named LimoGreen, could be utilized for premium transportation services.

In the interview, Ms. Trang emphasized that the VinFast VF 3 and VinFast M-Green have distinct positioning and intended use. She stated, “M-Green is researched and developed from the outset with a focus on ride-hailing services […]”.

She also mentioned that the smaller VinFast model designed for ride-hailing services can optimize various costs, such as input and operating costs. Additionally, the vehicle will feature a “design that suits the mobility needs of the service market.”

Vehicles Dedicated to Ride-Hailing Services

The concept of vehicles exclusively designed for ride-hailing services is not entirely new, but it could create a buzz, especially in the electric vehicle market.

In Vietnam, several years ago, many taxi companies used a sedan model designed for this segment, the Toyota Vios Limo.

The Toyota Vios Limo was one of two models in the Toyota Limo line that the Japanese automaker designed specifically for the taxi market in Southeast Asia. Along with the Vios-based Limo, Toyota also offered the Limo based on the Corolla Altis.

Along with Vietnam, the Toyota Limo models were also present in Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines.

Currently, two popular all-electric models designed for ride-hailing services globally are the Tata XPres-T EV from India and the Didi D1 from China.

The Tata XPres-T EV is one of the most popular electric sedans among ride-hailing drivers in India. BluSmart, an Indian ride-hailing app, is one of the prominent users of this model. The Tata XPres-T EV offers a maximum range of 277 kilometers and can be fast-charged in 145 minutes.

Meanwhile, the Didi D1 is a 5-seater all-electric hatchback developed by Didi Chuxing in collaboration with BYD. The Didi D1 features several amenities tailored for ride-hailing services, such as automatic sliding doors, a rear-seat entertainment screen, and a spacious interior design.

Vehicles designed specifically for ride-hailing services often have simplified features compared to their standard counterparts. Whether consumers can purchase these vehicles for personal use depends on the manufacturer’s sales policy. While technical specifications usually remain unchanged, manufacturers sometimes offer extended warranties to assure both businesses and individual customers.

These dedicated models are typically priced to be more accessible. However, this could be a challenge for electric vehicles, as many major automakers are still working on reducing production costs to launch more affordable electric cars. The most significant cost driver in electric vehicles is often the battery, which is the most valuable single component.

The VinFast M-Green, with its smaller size and lower price compared to the VF 3, is likely to generate a lot of buzz. This is entirely feasible, given that VinFast has always offered the option to lease batteries, making the initial purchase price very attractive.

The Enigmatic VinFast LimoGreen

While VinFast has revealed that the M-Green will be smaller than the VF 3, there is still much we don’t know about the LimoGreen model, except that it will be a 7-seater MPV.

In the Vietnamese market, 7-seater MPVs come in various sizes and price ranges, from affordable options like the Mitsubishi Xpander and Toyota Innova to more premium offerings like the KIA Carnival and Volkswagen Viloran, and even ultra-luxurious models like the Toyota Alphard and Lexus LM.

However, based on the information shared, the VinFast 7-seater MPV will cater to the premium segment. Therefore, it is likely to fall within the mid-range to premium category.

Among VinFast’s current offerings, the VF 9 is the largest model, with dimensions similar to the KIA Carnival. This has led to speculations that the 7-seater MPV will share the same platform and technical specifications as the VF 9.

Positioning the model in the same category as the KIA Carnival also seems to align with the market, as the Carnival has already been adopted by several companies for premium transportation services. The KIA Carnival itself offers ample space, providing a comfortable experience even with all three rows of seats in use, and still has room for luggage.

However, readers should note that these are speculations and may not align with VinFast’s plans.