On Tuesday, Vietnamese automaker Vinfast announced an EV plant in North Carolina, aiming to start production in 2024.
The first time it was reported by the local newspaper The News & Observer and later confirmed by Vinfast, the factory will be located at the “megasite” Triangle Innovation Point in Chatham County, near the state capital of Raleigh. According to the company, it will lead to the creation of thousands of jobs.
In a press release, Vinfast said it will invest about 2 billion USD for the first phase of construction, which is expected to start at the end of this year. Once the plant is fully operational, the plant will have the capacity to produce 150,000 vehicles per year.
Prototype VinFast VF 8
The plant will build two of the five EV models the company has launched so far – the VF 8 and VF 9 SUV – the company said. While the North Carolina plant is expected to begin production in nearly two years, Vinfast previously said it would begin sales in the United States. before the end of 2022.
Founded in 2017 as a large Vietnamese corporation Vingroup, Vinfast launches an internal combustion vehicle based on the traditional BMW platform.
In keeping with its name, the company has grown rapidly since then. In November 2021, it announced two prototypes at the Los Angeles auto show, announced the establishment of its US headquarters earlier this year, and showcased three more — the VF 5, VF 6 and VF 7 at the 2022 Consumer Electronics Show.
Prototype VinFast VF 9
When we had a close look at VF 8 and VF 9 in February, Vinfast has not yet finalized the specifications. The company is expected to announce more details at the 2022 New York auto show in April.
Vinfast mentioned the plan for a factory in the US before, along with a factory in Germany. North Carolina’s choice gives the state its first large-scale auto factory. Toyota in 2021 announces a facility in North Carolina to make EV . battery cellsHowever.
Neighboring South Carolina has been the automakers’ choice by far. BMW has built cars there for more than two decades, and has joined recently by Volvo. Mercedes-Benz also has a van assembly plant in South Carolina, and startup Arrival says it will also open a plant in the state.
