A Bold Entry into the U.S. Market
Green SM, the Vietnamese electric ride-hailing powerhouse, has officially arrived in the United States. Following a successful expansion into Europe just last month, the company—an affiliate of automaker VinFast—deployed its fleet of electric taxis in Los Angeles, California, on October 13. This move represents the brand's ninth global market, signaling an aggressive strategy to capture a slice of the American ride-sharing landscape with a focus on sustainable, zero-emission urban transportation.
To encourage adoption in a highly competitive market, Green SM is rolling out an attractive suite of introductory incentives. New users can take advantage of a 50 percent discount, capped at $12 per ride, for their first five trips. Furthermore, the company is offering a complimentary 'Green Pass' membership, which grants users ten separate vouchers—each providing a 30 percent discount capped at $10—making the transition to electric ride-hailing both seamless and cost-effective for Los Angeles commuters.
The Fleet: Built on VinFast Precision
Unlike its operations in several Asian markets where the service includes electric scooters, Green SM is keeping its U.S. strategy focused exclusively on passenger vehicles. The backbone of its current Los Angeles fleet is the VinFast VF 8, a mid-size SUV that serves as the company's entry-level offering in the North American region. By utilizing the VF 8, Green SM is leveraging the synergy between the taxi service and its parent organization, Vingroup.
The VinFast VF 8 is characterized by its robust powertrain and modern cabin. While the company has not confirmed the specific trim levels utilized for the fleet, the consumer-facing version of the vehicle is equipped with an 87.7 kWh NMC battery pack. The vehicle is available in two distinct dual-motor all-wheel-drive configurations: one producing 260 kW with 500 Nm of torque, and a higher-performance variant delivering 300 kW and 620 Nm of torque. Depending on the chosen powertrain, the vehicle offers an EPA-estimated range of 235 to 256 miles on a single charge.
Why It Matters
- Strategic Scaling: With over 850 million rides completed globally and six billion kilometers traveled to date, Green SM enters the U.S. market with a massive operational pedigree.
- Brand Synergy: By exclusively using VinFast vehicles, the company creates a closed-loop ecosystem that showcases VinFast technology to thousands of potential customers daily.
- Accessibility: By offering a mobile-first app experience alongside traditional hailing and phone booking, the service bridges the gap between modern tech-savvy users and traditional taxi patrons.
As the company looks to the future, the Los Angeles launch serves as a trial for the brand’s ability to scale in the challenging North American infrastructure landscape. The service is accessible through standard mobile app stores, and according to leadership, the mission remains centered on building long-term trust within local communities through reliable, clean-energy mobility.
