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The Vietnamese automaker VinFast Auto, in its attempt to capture the demand of the growing Indian electric vehicle market, has commenced the construction of its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Tamil Nadu. For this new plant and its EV plans in India, VinFast is making an investment of Rs 16,000 crore. The company is also asking the Indian government to cut down the high import duties in the country like Tesla Inc. Additionally, the company has filed a patent for its first vehicle in India, which will be its electric micro-SUV called the VF3.
VinFast Auto VF3 patent filed in India
Apart from the above-mentioned updates on the Vietnamese automaker, it has been reported that the company has filed a patent for its first product, the VinFast Auto VF3 electric mini-SUV. This model is a global product from the brand, and it will be homologated in India.
The company unveiled this new SUV at the 2024 Consumer Electronics Show, which was held in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. This unique-looking mini SUV will feature a bold, compact yet contemporary body design.
The design patent and the images shared by the company reveal that the model will be offered with a 2-door layout. However, despite having two doors, it will be a 5-seater vehicle.
The few key highlights of its exterior design are its boxy body, square headlights, V-shaped bird logo on front and rear, thick side claddings, chunky bumper, and dual-tone paint scheme. Dimensionally, the new VF3 will measure 3190 mm in length, 1,679 mm in width, 1,620 mm in height, and will get a boot space of around 550 liters.
As for the interior, the VinFast VF3 will come equipped with a 10-inch touchscreen infotainment screen. It will also get Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and a completely foldable second row of seats.
Other highlights include automatic climate control, dual airbags, cruise control, and a two-spoke steering wheel. Coming to the powertrain side of things, it will come with a battery which will be able to offer it around 201 km.
VinFast’s foundation stone for the plant laid
The foundation stone for the new manufacturing plant project of VinFast Auto was laid by Tamil Nadu’s Chief Minister MK Stalin. VinFast, which is already a popular automaker in the global electric vehicle market and a rival to the American EV giant Tesla Inc., is looking to bank on the growing electric vehicle demand in India.
According to the company, the new plant will be spread across a 400-acre land of the SIPCOT industrial area in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu. As per the company, this new manufacturing facility will be capable of generating an estimated 3,000 to 3,500 employment opportunities locally. The company is reportedly aiming for an annual production capacity exceeding 1.5 lakh vehicles.
VinFast also aiming to get import duty cuts
Like the American electric car maker Tesla Inc., it has been reported that VinFast Auto is also looking to get a reduction in the import duties imposed by India on fully-built EVs. Presently, India levies a substantial 100 percent import duty on cars exceeding USD 40,000, with a 60 percent duty on vehicles priced below this threshold.
It has also been reported that the Indian government has contemplated special duty cuts, particularly for Tesla and now VinFast. However, experts have suggested that the government is facing resistance from domestic automakers, complicating the decision-making process.
Now whether the Indian government will be passing the order is yet to be seen. VinFast has stated that it has proposed a temporary reduction in import duty taxes to facilitate a smoother transition.
The company has advocated for a reduction to 70-80% for a limited duration of two years and a specified quantity of vehicles, allowing consumers to familiarize themselves with VinFast’s products before the local manufacturing plant becomes fully operational, said the company.
The post Vinfast VF3 Electric SUV Patented: Factory Construction Begins In India first appeared on Cartoq.
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