VinFast VF9 REEV: Research options for expanding the scope.
Reuters: VinFast is researching the VF9, a REEV (Renewable Energy Vehicle) model using a small gasoline engine and a rechargeable battery; they are also considering a hybrid. Preliminary plans, including the recruitment of experts, will be announced when appropriate.
According to Reuters, citing sources, VinFast is considering equipping some upcoming models with small internal combustion engines to act as generators for charging batteries, in order to expand their range, instead of just producing purely electric vehicles as it currently does. Specifically, a research team was established in November to examine the possibility of transforming the VF9 SUV into a range-extended electric vehicle (REEV). Sources emphasize that the new plan is in its preliminary stages and the company is also considering hybrid models.
Responding to Reuters regarding product direction, Vingroup, the media unit for VinFast, said it will not miss opportunities to research and develop new products that suit customer needs and market trends. Vingroup said the overall strategy remains unchanged, and official details will be announced at the appropriate time.
VF9 and the REEV approach
REEVs utilize two energy sources: an electric motor and an internal combustion engine, similar to hybrid vehicles. However, unlike hybrids, the internal combustion engine in a REEV does not drive the wheels but only charges the battery when needed, thereby extending the driving range.
Reuters reported that VinFast posted at least three job openings on LinkedIn in November to find REEV experts. The news agency also did not specify whether VinFast would develop the technology itself or acquire it.
Signal milestones according to Reuters
- November: A research team was formed to transform the VF9 into a REEV by equipping it with a small gasoline engine used solely for charging the battery.
- Recruitment: At least three REEV specialist positions are posted on LinkedIn.
- Scope of consideration: In addition to REEVs, the company is also considering hybrid models.
- Status: The plan is in its preliminary stage; details will be released as appropriate.
The impact of expectations on business performance.
According to Reuters, the move to study REEV aims to boost sales and expand overseas amid rising losses putting pressure on its parent company, Vingroup. VinFast currently produces about a dozen models, mostly small city cars. In the first nine months of the year, the company sold approximately 104,000 vehicles domestically, accounting for nearly 95% of its global sales.
The VF9 is VinFast's most expensive model, accounting for about 1% of sales in Vietnam. This model has been exported to the US and Canada, but in small quantities, according to Reuters.
Summary of the plan, according to Reuters.
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| The vehicle model being researched is the REEV. | VF9 |
| Technical solution | The small internal combustion engine acts as a generator to charge the battery; it does not drive the wheels. |
| Plan status | Preliminary |
| Recruitment | At least 3 REEV specialist positions available (LinkedIn, November) |
| Scope of expansion | Also consider hybrid models. |
| Target | Boost sales, expand international markets, and curb losses. |
| REEV technology | It is unclear whether it is self-developed or acquired. |
Commitment to transformation and market context
Reuters reiterated that VinFast ceased production of gasoline-powered cars and switched to electric vehicles in 2022. That same year, the company participated in the COP26 declaration on green transition for automobiles, committing to selling zero-emission vehicles exclusively in leading markets by 2035 and globally by 2040.
Environmentally, REEVs produce emissions, but according to Reuters, they are generally less than plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs). From an intellectual property perspective, the World Intellectual Property Organization noted in 2023 that VinFast held nearly 80 patents, fewer than Tesla's 347 patents and significantly fewer than the number of patents held by major traditional automakers.
Reuters also reported that Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers, including Li Auto and Leapmotor, are producing extended-range electric vehicles (REEVs), while traditional automakers are also developing similar options. In Vietnam, a country facing severe air pollution, plans to restrict gasoline-powered vehicles will begin with a ban on gasoline-powered motorbikes in central Hanoi from mid-2026.
The questions remain unanswered.
According to Vingroup's response to Reuters, VinFast's overall strategy remains unchanged, but details will be announced at the appropriate time. The roadmap, scope of implementation, and whether the company will develop REEV technology itself or acquire it are currently unclear.
All information regarding the VF9 REEV variant and the possibility of a hybrid version is still preliminary, according to sources cited by Reuters. Further developments, if any, will confirm VinFast's technical and market direction in the coming period.
