VinFast of Southeast Asia's richest man to launch range-extended electric pickup

VinFast dealerships have begun taking deposits for the Wild, with an expected price of more than VND800 million (US$30,800).

Sales consultants said deliveries could begin in the second half of October or later, while official pricing is expected to be announced this month.

The Wild uses a range-extended electric vehicle, or REEV, system that combines a gasoline engine with an electric motor. Unlike a conventional hybrid, the gasoline engine does not power the wheels. Instead, it generates electricity to recharge the battery, while the electric motor drives the vehicle.

Dealers said the Wild can travel more than 1,000 km on a full battery and tank of gasoline. It can cover at least 250 km on electricity alone under the NEDC testing standard.

A VinFast Wild concept vehicle in Hanoi in May 2024. Photo by VnExpress/Luong Dung

The Wild is VinFast's first pickup since Vuong founded the automaker in 2017 and will enter a Vietnamese market dominated by diesel-powered models.

Its expected price places it around the middle of the pickup segment.

Unlike most pickups sold in Vietnam, the Wild uses a unibody design, which typically offers better handling and stability. Conventional pickups generally use body-on-frame construction designed for greater durability and heavier loads.

VinFast stopped producing gasoline-powered cars after announcing a complete transition to electric vehicles in 2021.

Vuong recently appointed his eldest son, Pham Nhat Quan Anh, 33, to replace him as VinFast CEO. Anh has also served as the automaker's chairman since May.

Vuong, chairman of Vietnam's biggest listed conglomerate Vingroup, is Southeast Asia's richest person with a net worth of $37.4 billion as of Sept. 18, according to Forbes' real-time billionaire ranking.