VinFast registers a new car model in Vietnam: Smaller than VF 3, resembling the Smart, predicted to attract female buyers if launched
VinFast's new mini electric car has a more compact design than the VF 3, suggesting that its price may compete with premium motorbike models on the market.
In the September 2024 edition of the Industrial Property Gazette, a new mini electric car from VinFast was registered for design copyright. According to the documents, VinFast submitted the registration for this vehicle on January 24, 2024.
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From the published images, it appears to be a 2-door mini electric car similar to the VinFast VF 3, but smaller and likely with only two seats.
While the VF 3 has a boxy design, this new mini electric car resembles European mini cars like the Smart Fortwo, with a sloping front and a short, tidy rear. Although no detailed specifications are provided in the Industrial Property Gazette, the images suggest that the wheels on this new model are smaller than the VF 3's 16-inch wheels.
The Gazette also mentions that the two designers behind this new model are Joao Marcos de O. Ramos and Jae Hoon Lee. Joao Marcos de O. Ramos was VinFast's design director from March 2023 to June 2024, having previously worked at Ford, Volkswagen, and Honda. Jae Hoon Lee is known for his impressive designs of the VinFast VF 7 and VF Wild pickup truck and has experience working with General Motors and Hyundai.
VinFast has not yet disclosed any details about this new mini electric car. However, its design registration with the Vietnam Intellectual Property Office indicates that its launch may be soon. Once available, this model will offer consumers, especially women, a truly compact car option, as the VinFast VF 3 is nearly the size of an A-segment vehicle.
Previously, at Vingroup’s 2023 annual shareholders meeting, Chairman Pham Nhat Vuong mentioned plans to launch a "super small, affordable, but very beautiful" car by the end of 2024. Many speculated that he was referring to the VinFast VF 3, which was delivered to customers in August 2024. There were rumors calling the VF 3 the "VF 2," but it’s possible that the vehicle featured in the September Gazette is the real "VF 2."
Original article and pictures by AutoPro
