VinFast opens Cary dealership to sell its electric vehicles, not far from Chatham site
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VinFast in NC
Vietnamese automaker VinFast announced in March 2022 that it would open an electric vehicle assembly plant in North Carolina. The battery manufacturing plant will be built in Chatham County and is expected to eventually create 7,500 jobs. It’s the largest economic development announcement in the state’s history. Here is coverage from The News & Observer about the plans.
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Triangle residents can now visit a local dealership to check out the electric cars from the new Vietnamese automaker VinFast.
The Raleigh-based Leith Automotive Group announced it is the flagship dealer for VinFast, adding the North Carolina-bound electric vehicle manufacturer to its regional network of more than 25 stores that include Honda, Ford, Toyota, Kia and Chrysler dealerships. The latest addition, Leith VinFast, opened this week in the Cary Auto Park off U.S. 64.
It is among the only, if not the only, VinFast franchise dealerships in the U.S.
“As far as I know, this is the first,” said Danny Williams, Leith’s chief operating officer. Williams said the dealership has 60 VinFast SUVs, all the five-seat VF8 model. He anticipates receiving VinFast’s seven-seat VF9 model early next year.
The location of VinFast’s inaugural franchise dealership is no coincidence.
Founded in 2017, the company has aggressively attempted to break through into foreign markets, including the United States. In March 2022, VinFast announced plans to build its first North American factory in eastern Chatham County, a multi-billion-dollar assembly and battery plant that could eventually employ more than 7,500 workers. Once open, it will be the first car manufacturing facility in state history.
Construction on the massive Chatham factory began in July, and VinFast hopes to begin production at the factory sometime in 2025. Leith VinFast is about 20 miles away from the site. In addition to sales, the store promises to offer servicing and parts.
So far, VinFast has sold a small number of Vietnam-assembled cars in the United States through direct sales. In November, the company said it had received more than 70 applications from dealers to create a distribution network across the country.
This story was originally published December 27, 2023 at 4:39 PM with the headline "VinFast opens Cary dealership to sell its electric vehicles, not far from Chatham site."
