VinFast licensed to test autonomous cars in US

By Dat Nguyen February 7, 2021 | 08:30 pm PT

An artist's impression of an electric car manufactured by VinFast. Photo courtesy of VinFast.

VinFast has received licenses to test autonomous vehicles in California, the U.S., one of the first foreign markets the Vietnamese automaker targets.

The subsidiary of Vietnam’s largest private conglomerate, Vingroup, was one of 57 auto companies allowed to test self-driving vehicles with a driver along with Apple, Tesla, BMW, and Volkswagen, according to the state Department of Motor Vehicles website.

An auto company needs to acquire testing permits with and without a driver each before it can receive permit for deployment in the state.

VinFast last month unveiled three new self-driving electric SUVs saying they all meet the highest global safety standards including five-star ratings from the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the European New Car Assessment Programme.

Customers can start ordering the cars in May this year in Vietnam and in November in the U.S., Canada and the E.U.

VinFast sold 31,500 cars in Vietnam last year, with its VinFast sedan and SUV models among the bestsellers in their respective segments.

The company entered the auto industry three years ago. It has an auto plant in the northern province of Hai Phong and research and development centers in Australia, Germany and the U.S.

It said the manufacturing of electric bikes, buses and cars is part of a strategy to become a hi-tech global auto manufacturer and help develop green transportation and reduce emissions.