Could VinFast VF 5 be offered in PH with battery subscription program?

MANILA: VinFast Philippines is yet to announce the pricing of the VF 5 electric crossover. However, the local arm of the Vietnamese auto brand is hinting at a possible battery subscription service for Filipino car buyers eyeing the aforementioned model.

In a statement, the company revealed that in its home country and in Indonesia, it is offering its customers a choice: whether to buy the car and battery outright or buy the vehicle separately and participate in a battery subscription program.

VinFast Philippines claimed that latter can lower down the initial cost of electric vehicle (EV) ownership.

For example, the Indonesian-spec VinFast VF 5 is listed at IDR (Indonesian rupiah) 310,000,000 (approximately P1.116 million). However, when purchased with the battery subscription program, the price dropped to IDR 242,000,000 (around P871,419) — which if car buyers would come to think of it, would get them an EV for nearly the price of the Toyota Vios 1.3 XLE M/T.

VinFast added that depending on monthly driving distances, customers can choose between different subscription tiers that suit their needs.

While we really can’t say for sure if VinFast’s battery subscription model would work here in the Philippines the same way it did in Vietnam and Indonesia, it is a welcome option that could entice Filipino EV buyers looking to shift to a more sustainable means of transportation

Below are other reasons why the offering of the Hai Phong-based car brand local arm is an ideal option.

Nimble, practical

The VinFast VF 5 is a crossover that measures 3,965 millimeters (mm) long, 1,720 mm wide, and 1,580 mm tall. The said dimensions make it a car suited for the narrow roads of the metro. And while it may be smaller compared to its internal combustion engine-equipped counterparts, the company noted that its stature does not compromise its functionality.

Additionally. The VinFast VF 5 has fewer parts, which gives way to a more spacious interior. It has 260 liters of luggage space, which is ample enough for everyday errands. Should the need to load larger cargo arise, the crossover’s rear seats can be folded down to expand the boot area to some 900 liters.

Parts availability

One of the considerations car buyers make when choosing a vehicle to purchase is parts availability, as scarcity of components could make a quick fix become a lengthy repair.

According to VinFast, it will address parts shortages by leveraging insights from its successful home market in Vietnam to ensure sufficient availability.

“If the Philippines were our first market, determining which components to stock would be difficult. But thanks to our success in Vietnam, we know what to do. We understand which components are most used and will be ready to supply them in the Philippines,” VinFast Vehicle Development Institute Deputy and Chief Executive Officer Stuart Kinkade explained in a media meet-and-greet in June.

Decent safety features

The VinFast VF 5 is equipped with a decent roster of safety features. These include an anti-lock brake system, electronic brake-force distribution, emergency brake assist, and electronic stability control.

VinFast Philippines also noted that the VF 5 to be sold here in the country “will likely be equipped with four airbags.”

Although the list is not something to write home about, the technologies offered by the VinFast VF 5 is handy to have, especially when one gets into a sticky situation. In fact, the carmaker recalled that the electric crossover got into a vehicular accident in Vietnam.

VinFast VF 5 owner Ngô Minh Đức had a harrowing experience when his ride was rear-ended by a tanker truck, causing it to spin out of control and sustain damage to the entire driver’s side. Shortly after, while stopped, it was struck again, this time by a 2.5-ton truck, deforming the rear.

Luckily, the cabin remained intact, protecting everyone inside.

“The incident, shared online, stunned many who were surprised by the resilience of the compact electric car. The VF 5 had been traveling at over 90 kilometers per hour when hit the first time, yet it only skidded 200 meters before coming to a safe stop,” VinFast wrote.

“The repair costs further impressed Đức. The total estimate was only around $5,100 (around P297,263), mainly for cosmetic fixes. As an experienced driver familiar with various car brands, he estimated that similar repairs on a gasoline car would have cost at least double that amount,” it added.

Accessible gateway to electric mobility

The VinFast VF 5 is touted as an accessible pathway to electric mobility.

VinFast Philippines highlighted the abovementioned reasons, which could position the electric crossover as a dominant nameplate in the segment.

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