VinFast VF 2: A Tiny Sub-$10,000 Electric Car Eyeing Western Markets

The VinFast VF 2 is a two-door, four-seat electric microcar measuring just 3.09 metres long.
Its 18.3-kWh battery powers a rear-mounted 40-horsepower electric motor and provides an estimated 160 kilometres of range.
Priced at 188 million Vietnamese dong in Vietnam, the VF 2 costs the equivalent of approximately $9,975 CAD at current exchange rates.

VinFast Is Considering an International Future for Its Smallest EV

VinFast may have found a different way to approach Western markets. After focusing primarily on the VF 8 and VF 9, two considerably larger electric SUVs, the Vietnamese automaker is now raising the possibility of eventually offering its smallest electric vehicle outside its home market.

The VF 2 sits at virtually the opposite end of the automotive spectrum. This is neither an SUV nor an EV intended for long-distance travel. Instead, it is an extremely compact urban vehicle with a mission closer to that of the Citroën Ami and Fiat Topolino.

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VinFast has not announced any official plans to sell the VF 2 in Canada, the United States or Europe. However, the automaker has suggested that such an expansion could make sense at a time when rising new-vehicle prices are making car ownership increasingly expensive.

The underlying message appears to be aimed primarily at Europe, where low-speed vehicles that can be driven without a conventional driver’s licence are already available, as well as the United States, where recent regulatory changes have opened the door to vehicles such as the Fiat Topolino.

Barely More Than Three Metres Long

At just 3,090 mm long, the VF 2 is tiny by North American standards. It measures 1,496 mm wide and 1,663 mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2,065 mm. Despite its very compact dimensions, the cabin is configured to accommodate four occupants.

For comparison with another small electric car, the Fiat 500e is approximately 540 mm longer. The difference highlights the VF 2’s intended purpose: it is primarily a mobility solution for city centres, residential neighbourhoods and short-distance trips.

About $10,000 CAD in Vietnam

The VF 2’s strongest argument is undoubtedly its price. In Vietnam, it starts at 188 million Vietnamese dong, equivalent to approximately $9,975 CAD based on the September 8, 2026 exchange rate.

That conversion should be considered for reference purposes only. It would not represent a potential Canadian retail price, which would have to account for transportation costs, homologation requirements, taxes and VinFast’s pricing strategy.

Despite its budget positioning, the VF 2 comes with a reasonable amount of equipment. It features LED headlights, air conditioning, a 7-inch display and 13-inch alloy wheels. Safety equipment includes a driver’s airbag, ABS and traction control.

An 18.3-kWh Battery

Performance is clearly tailored to the VF 2’s urban mission. Its battery has a capacity of just 18.3 kWh, a fraction of the size of the packs found in most electric vehicles currently sold in Canada.

The battery powers a rear-mounted electric motor producing 30 kW, or approximately 40 horsepower, along with 48 lb-ft of torque. Top speed is limited to 80 km/h, making the VF 2 much better suited to city driving than highway travel.

VinFast claims a maximum driving range of 210 kilometres under the NEDC testing cycle, which would translate to roughly 160 kilometres using a more representative North American estimate.

The VF 2 also supports DC fast charging at up to 24 kW. According to VinFast, the battery can be charged from 10 to 70 percent in approximately 34 minutes.

A Canadian Launch Remains Highly Unlikely, If Not Impossible

For now, there is nothing to suggest that the VinFast VF 2 will actually be sold in Canada. The automaker has announced neither a launch schedule nor North American pricing, and there has been no confirmation that the vehicle would be homologated for the Canadian market.

Still, VinFast’s willingness to discuss the possibility is noteworthy. While most new electric vehicles remain relatively expensive and automakers continue to prioritize SUVs, the VF 2 takes an entirely different approach: reduce battery capacity, power, dimensions and performance to dramatically lower the price.

In many ways, it represents a return to the fundamentals of mobility.