VinFast from Vietnam has unveiled its compact crossover, the VF 3. The brand’s communications team notes a price tag around 322 million dong, which roughly translates to the equivalent of about 1.1 million rubles at typical exchange rates reported when the release circulated. For North American readers, the VF 3 represents an approachable urban option in the subcompact category, designed to offer affordable entry into the VinFast lineup while showcasing the company’s expanding footprint on global streets.
In terms of size, the vehicle stretches to about 3200 mm in length and sits 1700 mm wide. Its footprint places it in the same neighborhood as small domestic city cars, with a footprint reminiscent of a compact model known in some markets as the Oka. The VF 3 features a three-door configuration and seats four occupants, aiming to balance compact urban maneuverability with practical interior space for daily commuting and short trips around city cores.
Powering the VF 3 is an electric motor that drives the wheels with efficiency tailored for city use. Official figures indicate a maximum driving range of around 215 kilometers on a full charge, making it well-suited for typical urban daily use, errands, and short commutes without frequent recharging. Buyers in Canada and the United States often value such range for second vehicles or for those who want a permission slip to explore city life without the anxiety of frequent charging stops.
The manufacturer highlights that the crossover is primarily aimed at younger urban residents, particularly those navigating dense street grids and narrow corridors in big metropolitan centers. The vehicle’s compact dimensions, tight turning radius, and nimble handling are pitched as features that enhance daily city living, from parking in tight spots to zipping through busy downtown corridors.
Earlier in the market chatter, there were updates about the Russian premiere timeline for another Chinese-brand crossover, the SWM G03F. The plan had been to launch the model in the Russian market toward the end of the summer, but the debut was pushed toward autumn, suggesting manufacturer scheduling shifts in response to regional demand and regulatory pacing. The news illustrates how cross-border launches can evolve as automakers juggle regional priorities and logistics, a pattern increasingly common for global brands expanding into North American showrooms.
In the Chinese market, the SWM G03F is marketed as the Big Tiger. The model measures about 4605 mm in overall length and is built to accommodate five or seven passengers, depending on the specific seating layout and configuration. The basic version in the domestic market arrives with a 1.5-liter naturally aspirated engine rated around 110 horsepower, paired with a five-speed manual transmission. This setup underscores a traditional, budget-conscious approach in the early life cycle of the model before potential electrified variants arrive for broader regional availability.
There has been prior chatter about a Chery Tiggo 8L crossover, a model that, at the time of the reports, had not yet reached the Chinese market and was the subject of speculation about its availability in Russia. The cross-border conversation around such beleaguered or evolving portfolios highlights how automakers test interest and adjust expectations across large markets while balancing local regulatory demands and consumer appetite.