VinFast Is Turning Its Electric SUVs Into Los Angeles Taxis

Vietnamese Automaker Initiates California Ride-Hailing Operations

Green SM, the ride-hailing mobility company associated with Vietnamese automaker VinFast, officially launched its all-electric taxi service in Los Angeles on October 13, 2026. This deployment marks the first North American market entry for the mobility brand, expanding its global operational footprint to nine countries. The service exclusively utilizes a fleet of VinFast VF 8 electric sport utility vehicles to provide emissions-free transportation across the metropolitan area.

The Los Angeles launch represents a strategic effort by VinFast to establish a physical presence in a highly competitive commercial mobility sector. Green SM aims to provide transportation for daily commuting, local errands, and regional airport transfers. The company intends to continually hire local drivers and build an operational infrastructure tailored to the regional transit landscape while promoting green energy mobility solutions.

Service Features Face Challenging United States Retail Market

Residents can access the Green SM transportation service through a dedicated mobile application, a traditional telephone hotline, or standard street hailing. The company is currently offering promotional discounts to build early ridership, providing new users with half off their first five trips. Additionally, a complimentary membership gives regular commuters monthly reduced-fare transit vouchers to encourage routine use.

This commercial fleet deployment arrives at a notably challenging time for the manufacturer’s retail operations. Recent industry reports indicate that regional sales fell sharply in the United States, prompting the company to restructure its market approach. Introducing the VF 8 through a subsidized taxi service lets cautious consumers experience the vehicles without assuming the financial commitment of conventional automobile ownership.

Maintaining this international expansion is currently costing billions in operational capital, yet the automaker remains definitively committed to establishing a North American foothold. While the current taxi fleet consists entirely of midsize utility vehicles, the manufacturer also produces a tiny new EV that could potentially serve dense urban transit environments if imported for commercial dispatch.

Fleet Operations Offer Practical Strategy For Brand Exposure

Utilizing a proprietary ride-hailing service is a practical business strategy for an emerging automotive manufacturer struggling with retail consumer hesitation. By placing potential buyers in the passenger seat of a controlled VF 8, VinFast bypasses the traditional dealership test-drive process. This model creates an organic environment for public exposure, addressing the immediate corporate need for brand visibility on public California roads.

However, managing an active commercial taxi fleet introduces logistical complexities entirely distinct from standard automotive manufacturing. Green SM must consistently maintain high service standards, charging infrastructure, and reliable vehicle performance to genuinely improve broader public perception. If the Los Angeles transit deployment proves successful, it could serve as a viable template for other foreign automakers trying to enter the U.S. consumer market.