Free Charging Attracts Customers to VinFast EC Van, but Experts Raise Questions

The VinFast EC Van has garnered a lot of attention, with many netizens claiming it signals the “end of the Su Coc”. What are your thoughts on this statement?

Firstly, the “Su Coc” is a playful nickname for the Suzuki Blind Van, a small truck that has become a familiar sight in Vietnam, navigating through narrow alleys. Due to its popularity, it has earned the affectionate moniker.

Regarding the notion of the “end of the Su Coc”, I believe this is inaccurate. Suzuki Blind Van is no longer sold in Vietnam as it fails to meet emission standards, so it has effectively “ended” itself. Therefore, referring to the EC Van as the “successor to the Su Coc” would be more fitting to the current market situation.

While there are still many Suzuki Blind Vans on the roads, they are all pre-owned vehicles, and no new models are available. Suzuki does offer a replacement model, the Suzuki Super Carry Pro.

The VinFast EC Van is said to have 40 horsepower and a range of 150 km per charge. What are your thoughts on these specifications?

Firstly, the EC Van’s 40 horsepower is only slightly lower than that of the Su Coc. However, when it comes to torque, the EC Van offers 110Nm compared to the Su Coc’s 68Nm, giving it better pulling power. Additionally, the EC Van has a higher payload capacity of around 600 kg. Theoretically, the EC Van appears to have the upper hand.

Given that the Su Coc has proven its practicality by maneuvering through various terrains in Vietnam, I am confident that the EC Van will meet the transportation needs of its users.

Another specification that has drawn attention is the 150 km range per charge. I would like to ask VinFast about the conditions under which this figure was measured. Real-world usage will introduce variables, such as whether the vehicle was carrying a full load or running the air conditioning.

If the EC Van can achieve a range of 150 km per charge while fully loaded and with the air conditioning on, that would be impressive. It would validate its intended purpose as a small urban delivery vehicle.

You own a VinFast VF 3, which has a range of 200 km per charge. Do you think the EC Van’s 150 km range is sufficient for multiple trips in a day?

The VF 3’s battery is only slightly larger than the EC Van’s, resulting in a marginally higher range. Personally, I find the VF 3 very suitable for my needs, as I only need to charge it every few days, or I can conveniently charge it at home.

With the EC Van, the 150 km range may require users to plan their trips and understand their usage patterns before purchasing the vehicle.

In reality, VinFast’s free charging policy has been a significant draw for customers in the transportation service industry. We have already seen a shift towards electric vehicles in passenger transportation services, with Xanh SM surpassing Grab in market share. This demonstrates the effectiveness of VinFast’s free charging strategy.

However, this policy also presents VinFast with the challenge of managing the pressure on its charging stations. The automaker needs to find a balance and come up with a sustainable solution.

Since the announcement of the VinFast EC Van, social media has been abuzz with “edited” images of the vehicle being used for various purposes. What are your thoughts on the practical applications of this model in daily life?

I’ve noticed that people tend to superimpose the image of the Su Coc onto the EC Van. However, it’s important to understand that these two vehicles have different characteristics.

Firstly, the Suzuki Blind Van is designed in the style of Japanese Kei Cars, optimizing its performance with a width of approximately 1.4 meters. On the other hand, the EC Van has a width of nearly 1.7 meters. While this may make the EC Van slightly less maneuverable, it offers a larger, more spacious, and customizable interior.

Additionally, being an electric vehicle, the EC Van’s air conditioning system can be utilized for other purposes. Currently, those who modify their vehicles for camping have to install additional air conditioning units.

Furthermore, VinFast could consider adding a feature that allows the vehicle’s electricity to power household appliances during camping trips. This would be a huge draw for camping enthusiasts.

From your perspective, if you were to advise VinFast on strategies to boost sales of the EC Van, what would you suggest?

I believe that VinFast has carefully considered the target customer segment for each vehicle they produce to meet the diverse needs of their customers.

With the EC Van, VinFast is anticipating the trend towards small electric trucks in urban areas that adhere to green emission standards. These areas only allow vehicles with low or zero emissions to operate and are typically located in the core of large cities. In this context, the EC Van has a significant advantage and may even be the only option available.

We can envision a scenario where large cargo trucks have to stop at the boundaries of these emission-controlled zones. The EC Van would then take over, delivering goods into the inner city and navigating through narrow alleys. In such cases, the 150 km range per charge would not be a concern.

I think VinFast is considering a long-term strategy. At present, they need to strike a balance between the vehicle’s price, range, and cargo capacity.

If I were to offer a suggestion, I would recommend that they consider more flexible policies and packages to enhance the features and appeal of the EC Van.

Can you describe the typical profile of an EC Van owner?

With the name EC Van (urban electric cargo van), VinFast has clearly defined its target customer segment. The 150 km range per charge also helps clarify the intended usage of the vehicle.

It caters to those who need to travel short distances and embrace the trend towards green emissions in the core areas of major cities. These customers have a forward-thinking mindset.

Thank you, Mr. Nam, for your insightful comments about the VinFast EC Van.