The Vietnamese manufacturer VinFast settles in France and offers two 100% electric SUVs: the VF8 and the VF9. The first model is shown from 599 euros per month, an interesting monthly payment for a D-segment SUV that wants to be premium. But is it really a good deal? Decoded.
You may not be familiar with the Vietnamese manufacturer VinFast, and that is completely normal. However, it is already possible to find them on the streets, since the first models arrived in France at the end of last year.
We talked about it in a file, VinFast is one of the subsidiaries of a Vietnamese conglomerate. The manufacturer currently offers two electric models in France, namely the VF8 and VF9, two high-end SUVs. It is the VF8 that interests us today, a 100% electric D-segment model that could be compared to Tesla’s Model Y.
As we will see in this file, VinFast wants to be a premium manufacturer and, contrary to popular belief about Asian cars, prices are also premium. It is clear that, apart from the little recognized coat of arms in Europe, the VinFast VF8 offers high-end performanceand we will see if, from 599 euros per month, approximately the same monthly payments as a BMW iX1, this model is a good deal.
The VinFast VF 8 offered at 599 euros per month
As with most “as of” financing offers, this is the basic model. In VinFast, the “Eco” trim level assumes this role. Below is the list of the main standard equipment of the model in question:
- Led lights
- 19 inch wheels
- 15.6 inch touch screen
- Wireless charger
- Wifi
- GPS
- remote vehicle location
- rear armrest
- 2-position adjustable rear seat
- Electric and heated front seats
- heated steering wheel
- Synthetic leather upholstery
VinFast offers another trim level called “Plus”, a trim that includes more standard equipment, but which, obviously, is more expensive and therefore increases the monthly fees:
- celery leather
- electrically adjustable steering wheel
- Ventilated and adjustable front seats (10 positions)
- Heated and ventilated rear seats
- panoramic sunroof
- electric tailgate
- 20-inch rim (21-inch optional)
As you can see, like many Asian cars the default standard crew is quite generous. There are two battery types at VinFast in Europe: 82 kWh and 87.7 kWh. In its “Eco” version with the “smaller” battery, the VF8 has 354 hp, 500 Nm of torque and 400 km of autonomy according to the WLTP cycle. It is precisely this model that is affected by the offer at 599 euros per month.
What are the conditions to qualify for the VinFast VF8 LLD offer?
This is a long term rental offer in 37 months and 10,000 kilometers a year, that is, 30,000 km in total. VinFast indicates that the offer of 599 euros per month is subject to a first income of 7,350 euros. Curiously, VinFast does not mention in its offer an ecological bonus for its model, and this is normal, since the car is listed from 62,200 euros and therefore exceeds the threshold of 47,000 euros.
Browsing the VinFast site, you’ll notice that the car is also listed from 46,050 euros on their site, a 5,000 euro green bonus not deducted all at once, but battery “not included”! Just because, VinFast offers two prices for its VF8 : from 46,050 euros, plus battery rental at 120 euros per month, or 62,200 euros, but battery included. The financing offer that interests us directly includes the rental of the battery, You will not have to pay more than the 599 euros claimed.
How much will the VinFast VF8 LLD cost you?
For three years of long-term rental, your VinFast VF8 will cost you €28,914. VinFast shows his car €62,200 on your site, with battery included (ie without additional “costs”).
Starting from the base price, you will pay, during the three years of rent, 46.5% of the price of your car. Altogether it is a little more than the three-year discount for this type of vehicle, especially for electric vehicles where demand continues to increase, which implies a certain price stability. Since the offer is not an LOA, there is no option to repurchase the vehicle. Therefore, it will be necessary to return the car at the end of the financing..
Be careful with the repair costs, these can be high at the time of return. We advise you to do it before in a bodybuilder, it will cost you less than in your dealer in general. If you take a vehicle to your dealer after your LLD, you’ll also be a little less careful about the costs of repairs.
things to remember
In general, it seems that there are still some inconsistencies for VinFast in France. On the one hand, the manufacturer’s website communicates an offer from 649 euros per month for its VF8, then, in three clicks, we arrive at an access price of 599 euros per month.
The battery rental system should probably cause a lot of misunderstanding for customers. Renault tested for a few years with its Zoé, before returning to a more traditional system, with more expensive but more understandable prices.
The LLD is interesting if you do not have visibility on the second-hand price of your car and you already know that you are going to resell it. With this type of financing, you know in advance the total cost of ownership of your car. On the other hand, cash or credit, you cannot know this price, since it will depend on the resale value.
In general, the services offered by VinFast VF8 correspond well to the segment it is targeting. On the other hand, the prices lack foresight and could put off some potential customers. Fortunately, VinFast has chosen to develop a network of “classic” dealers. Customers will know who to turn to if they have questions. And generally, having a physical network puts customers at ease and also quickly becomes a selling point.
The Vietnamese car manufacturer VinFast lands in Europe. We were lucky to be among the first to drive the future VF8 SUV. It is 100% electric and has an approach inspired by that…
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