Vietnam's VinFast recalls EVs bound for US due to safety risk

WASHINGTON D.C.: In response to a safety warning issued by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Vietnamese electric vehicle maker VinFast said it is recalling the entire first group of vehicles shipped to the US in 2022.

All 999 of VinFast's VF 8 vehicles suffered a software error affecting their dashboard display, which prevented critical safety information from being shown and "may increase the risk of a crash," the NHTSA said, adding that more than 700 of the 999 units are still held by VinFast and have not been delivered to customers or fleet services.

Reuters reported that VinFast issued a voluntary safety recall of the VF 8 City Edition, as the model's dashboard screen goes blank while driving or stationary.

"VinFast is not aware of any field reports of incidents. The company is issuing this recall out of an abundance of caution," it said.

The recall comes less than two weeks after VinFast announced it would list in the US, through a merger with Black Spade Acquisition Co, a special purpose acquisition company.

In February, due to an issue with the front brakes of some models, VinFast recalled 2,781 VF 8 cars sold in Vietnam.

Founded in 2017, VinFast began selling EVs in California this year, and has shipped two groups of VF 8 cars to the US, totaling 2,097 units. It also plans to send its first group of vehicles to Europe in July.

In April, VinFast announced it had received a pledges for funding worth $2.5 billion from parent Vingroup JSC, Vietnam's largest conglomerate, and founder Pham Nhat Vuong, Vietnam's first billionaire and richest man.