VinFast Electric Taxi Enters Lao Market as an International Ride-Hailing Company

On 13/10/2023, Green and Smart Mobility Joint Stock Company (GSM) successfully imported 150 VinFast electric cars into the Laotian market to establish the Green SM electric taxi service. This marks GSM’s entry into international markets.

GSM has plans to launch the electric taxi service in Laos in 2023, starting with a fleet of 1,000 VF 5 Plus and VF e34 cars.

Initially, GSM will focus on developing the electric taxi service and gradually expand to offer a comprehensive range of services. These services will include electric car rentals, as well as value-added options such as package car bookings, tourist car bookings, and personalized car bookings.

In addition to self-operated activities, GSM Laos will also engage in B2B activities, such as selling and renting VinFast electric cars, following a similar model to the one implemented in Vietnam.

Through various strategies, GSM aims to encourage the adoption of green, smart, and environmentally-friendly vehicles in daily life in Laos. By providing local residents with a premium, noise-free, and emission-free travel experience through the Green SM taxi service, GSM will also contribute to promoting the reputation of Vietnam’s VinFast brand in the regional market.

Laos, a neighboring country to Vietnam, has implemented supportive policies and actively encourages the use of electric vehicles in both government agencies and among the general public. The national target is to have 30% of the total vehicle circulation composed of electric cars by 2030, alongside the establishment of 200 public charging stations.

According to data from the Laotian Ministry of Finance and Transportation, as of the end of 2022, there were 1,326 registered electric cars in circulation in Laos. In just the first four months of 2023, an additional 526 electric cars have been imported into the country. Furthermore, there are ongoing investments and construction of charging station systems in Laos, with 17 stations already operational.

Mr. Nguyen Van Thanh, CEO of GSM, stated, “Laos is a geographically close country with many similarities to Vietnam and has shown great receptiveness towards electric vehicles. This makes Laos an excellent choice for GSM to embark on its international expansion strategy. Following Laos, GSM plans to further expand its operations to other countries in order to fulfill its mission of creating a greener future for humanity. Additionally, GSM aims to act as a medium for popularizing Vietnamese electric cars on a global scale.”

GSM was established and launched in April 2023 in Vietnam as the world’s first multi-platform green transportation model, operating with a 100% electric vehicle fleet. In just six months, GSM has experienced remarkable growth in scale and speed, providing over 6 million passenger transportation trips and earning high praise from consumers and transportation entities alike.

According to the plan, by the end of 2023, Green SM will operate in 27 out of 63 provinces and cities in Vietnam. The fleet size is expected to increase to 30,000 electric taxis and over 90,000 electric motorcycles in the near future.

Parallel to their efforts in Vietnam, GSM is also committed to expanding into the regional and global markets, with ambitions of becoming a globally recognized ride-hailing startup, beginning with the ASEAN market.

TH (Tuoitrethudo)