CES: VinFast VF Wild electric pick-up

WATCH OUT Tesla Cybertruck and move over Ford F-150 Lightning, the incoming VinFast VF Wild pick-up truck is one cool concept that could shake up the electric ute market.

Expected as early as 2026, the VF Wild is likely to be produced at a future VinFast assembly plant in North America, where pick-up trucks are a market staple. The manufacturer says the model is likely to change slightly from the concept, but says it intends to build the truck in the very near future.

The VF Wild concept features a flexible load bed that can be extended into the rear of the cabin through a folding mid-gate as well as an integrated panoramic glass roof and digital wing mirrors to improve aerodynamics.

No further specifications or details have been announced, but according to VinFast chairwoman Le Thi Thuy, the VF Wild is intended for global markets and could be production-ready by as soon as 2026.

Speaking to Automotive News in Las Vegas, Ms Thuy also said that VinFast is readying an all-electric microcar called the VF 3 that is expected to begin production at the end of this year.

The VF 3 has two doors and seating for five, and is expected to be priced from below $US20,000.

“With its outstanding advantages of zero emissions, noise-free operation, environmental friendliness and, most importantly, high safety standards, the VF 3 has the potential to become the new ‘national vehicle’ for the Vietnamese people – it can fulfil the dreams of millions of families,” VinFast said in a recent press release.

Last month, VinFast hinted that the VF Wild and VF 3 would join its growing range in the coming years, along with several SUV models already in production in Vietnam.

“With the global launch of the VF 3, we are pleased to introduce a new electric car to our range,” added VinFast global deputy chief executive of sales and marketing, Tran Mai Hoa.

“We are providing a new companion for a generation of young drivers who value practicality alongside personality.”

VinFast, which began building petrol-powered vehicles in 2019 before making the move to electric vehicles in 2022, launched the VF 8 in California last year, and plans to bring its larger seven-seat VF 9 SUV to the United States later this year (2024).

Additionally, later in 2024, VinFast also plans to launch is smaller SUVs, the VF 6 and VF 7, in the United States and is understood to be recruiting dealers nationally with five already selected.

The Vietnamese car maker says it plans to have 125 sales points across the United States within the next two to three years.

Images of VF Wild concept by Laurence Iliff.