VINFAST is the first winner
Paris, France. AUTOBEST is launching a completely new prize dedicated to new start-ups and new ventures in the car industry. As we are seeing an unprecedented number of new companies joining the industry, AUTOBEST decided to award relevant, meaningful new industrial projects on a national and international scale. This is about completely new car brands, new mobility solutions brands and new technology companies.
The procedure to award a new company is very precise and includes an in-depth visit of the AUTOBEST Jury members to the premises of the new company. It also involves a very detailed analysis of the project from all perspectives, from industrial and commercial to the design, personnel and financial resources.
The first winner of `A Star is Born. By AUTOBEST` award is the Vietnamese VINFAST new car producer. “What VinFast is doing is quite extraordinary,” commented Dan Vardie, Chairman of AUTOBEST. “They have developed two new vehicles and constructed an incredible new manufacturing complex in Vietnam – and the business was only established a year ago. What is even more astonishing is that its plans and ambitions go beyond just setting up a car company; it is single-handedly starting Vietnam’s status as an international car manufacturing nation. We felt compelled to recognize its achievements with this first ever AUTOBEST ‘New star’ award.”
James DeLuca, CEO of VinFast said: “For us, the 2018 Paris Motor Show is about introducing VinFast to the world. The feedback to our first two models so far has been tremendous. For our efforts to be recognised by such a respected international body of automotive journalists as AUTOBEST is a fantastic reward for the hard work and dedication of everyone at VinFast.”
With its world premiere in Paris Mondial de L’Automobile, VINFAST is the most exciting new brand and vehicles at this year’s show. Two new models have been introduced and two more will follow soon. The sales operation will start in Vietnam only two years after the project was conceived and started from scratch, literally. AUTOBEST published a world exclusive story in most of its 31-member countries, as a result of its visit to the VINFAST facilities in Vietnam.
With the new award, AUTOBEST is stepping onto the global scene, launching the first international award. This is in addition to its eight current awards –COMPANYBEST, MANBEST, DESIGNBEST, SMARTBEST, SAFETYBEST, SPORTBEST, TECHNOBEST and AUTOBEST prize, the most coveted accolade of the Best Buy Car of Europe.
`This is the third completely new initiative we‘ve taken this year. We partnered with our Spanish Jury member, Joan Dalmau and his team from coches.net for the First European Independent EV Comparative test of real range. This is the first stage of ECOBEST Challenge project, a milestone in our history. Previously in June, we launched AUTOBEST SUMMIT Series in Bucharest, Romania, exploring how the new technologies and megatrends may help solving the big urban problems of polluting, parking, heavy traffic, etc` said AUTOBEST Chairman. `At AUTOBEST we are quick in following the trends of the market, assessing as much as we can from the relevant news, making millions of consumers in Europe to understand what is relevant in the car industry, where we are and what is next.` Dan Vardie added.
