Vietnamese electric automaker VinFast has opened its first retail showroom in Canada at Toronto’s Yorkdale Shopping Centre. It’s the first of eight showrooms that will open over the next several weeks and even more are on the way according to VinFast’s Canadian website.
The 3,000 square foot Yorkdale VinFast showroom, located near Sporting Life and Harry Rosen, features modern finishes that the company says were sourced from local Canadian producers with design elements inspired by the beauty of Vietnam’s natural wonders.
VinFast’s electric SUVs are on display in the new space, including the VF 8 and VF 9. At VinFast Yorkdale, visitors are able to test drive the VF 8 and view vehicle features on a large LED screen – an exclusive for VinFast, globally.
Leading construction firm SAJO built out the space.
Pricing for the VF 8 starts at $50,850 for Eco and $59,350 for Plus, while the larger VF 9 starts at $69,150 for Eco and $75,650 for Plus. Interestingly, battery packs are not included in the price of a Vinfast vehicle — rather, users rent them (for about $40 CAD/month) up to a distance of 500km and then pay an extra 5 cents per kilometre.
VinFast says that its showrooms are a way to connect with consumers while building confidence in the brand. Tailored customer service and education are part of the experience. VinFast’s electric SUVs are on display at the Yorkdale location, including the VF 8 and VF 9. Visitors are able to test drive the VF 8 and view vehicle features on a large LED screen , which is an exclusive for VinFast, globally.
Huynh Du An, CEO of VinFast Canada, said, “The opening of the first store in Canada marks the next milestone in VinFast’s global expansion journey. Our network of stores will be key in interacting with our customers, ensuring quality service, and strong relationships in Canada on our journey towards a sustainable future.”
Following the opening of the Yorkdale showroom this week, VinFast will quickly roll out seven more locations in Canada over the next six weeks. VinFast has confirmed that its next mall-based retail spaces will be at CF Carrefour Laval near Montreal, and at Park Royal South in West Vancouver.
Square One in Mississauga is also said to be getting a VinFast showroom although it’s not on the company’s website. A location at 5505 Ambler Drive is noted as ‘coming soon’ on the website.
Other future Canadian locations for VinFast, according to its website, include:
-1701 W 3rd Ave, Vancouver,
-7979 Weston Rd, Woodbridge, ON (near Toronto),
-8505 Bd Taschereau, Brossard, QC (near Montreal),
-19459 Langley Bypass, Surrey, BC (near Vancouver),
-9775 Rte Transcanadienne, Saint-Laurent, QC (near Montreal)
-2400 Avenue Dalton Dalton, Québec, QC (Quebec City), and
-2270 South Service Road, Oakville, ON (near Toronto).
VinFast Test Driving at Yorkdale Shopping Centre (Image: VinFast Canada) 
VinFast Test Driving at Yorkdale Shopping Centre (Image: VinFast Canada)
Several of the above will open in 2023. Earlier this year VinFast said in a statement that it planned on opening 38 locations in Canada.
VinFast is the latest electric car retailer to target Canadian shopping centres, and Yorkdale has been a Canadian leader in hosting such brands. Lucid Motors recently opened a showroom at Yorkdale, joining Tesla which has operated a retail space at Yorkdale for more than a decade. Volvo-owned Polestar has also opened several Canadian locations including in malls, as has Genesis Motors.
VinFast is part of Vingroup, Vietnam’s largest conglomerate, which has pledged USD $3.5 billion to the company and its growth. Vinfast is said to be the first large automotive manufacturer in Vietnam as well as the first Vietnamese automaker to participate in a major international auto show. The direct-to-consumer company says that it can make up to 500,000 cars per year and its global expansion will start with Canada the United States and Europe in 2022.
