Vietnam's Green SM rolls 500 VinFast EV taxis into Los Angeles

Vietnam's Vingroup is bringing its electric-vehicle bet to the streets of Los Angeles. Green SM, the conglomerate's ride-hailing arm, has launched an all-electric taxi service in the city, starting with 500 VinFast VF 8 SUVs and full-time drivers. The launch marks Green SM's ninth market and puts more VinFast cars on US roads, giving the Vietnamese automaker a visible presence in one of America's most competitive mobility markets.

The move is more than a fleet expansion. By deploying VinFast vehicles as taxis, Vingroup turns every ride into a test drive. Passengers who might never visit a VinFast showroom will now experience the VF 8 firsthand, from its acceleration to its infotainment system. For a brand that has struggled to build awareness in the US, this is a low-cost, high-visibility strategy to put its product in front of thousands of potential buyers.

Green SM is not a typical ride-hailing startup. It is a subsidiary of Vingroup, Vietnam's largest private conglomerate, with interests spanning real estate, retail, and technology. The company operates electric taxis in Vietnam and has been expanding internationally, with the US as its ninth market. Unlike Uber and Lyft, which rely on gig workers, Green SM employs full-time drivers, a model that could appeal to regulators and riders seeking consistency and accountability.

Los Angeles is a logical testing ground. The city has some of the most aggressive climate goals in the nation, with officials pushing to reduce transportation emissions and transition to zero-emission vehicles. An all-electric taxi fleet aligns with those policy priorities, potentially easing regulatory approvals and earning goodwill from city leaders. At the same time, LA is a brutal market for ride-hailing, dominated by Uber and Lyft, which have spent years building driver networks and rider loyalty.

For VinFast, the taxi fleet serves a dual purpose. It generates revenue through ride fares, but more importantly, it generates data. Every mile driven in LA traffic, every charging session, and every maintenance event provides real-world information on how the VF 8 performs in American conditions. That data is invaluable for a company that is still building its reputation and refining its vehicles for the US market.

The choice of full-time drivers is also a strategic signal. While gig-based platforms have faced regulatory scrutiny over worker classification and benefits, Green SM's employment model sidesteps those battles. It also allows the company to train drivers on the specifics of electric vehicles, ensuring a consistent customer experience. This could become a template for other EV-focused ride-hailing services looking to enter regulated markets.

The stakes extend beyond Vingroup. For legacy automakers and EV startups, Green SM's entry into LA demonstrates that foreign capital is willing to invest directly in US mobility services, not just manufacturing. For fleet operators, it offers a case study in deploying a dedicated EV taxi fleet with full-time drivers. And for policymakers, it raises questions about how to regulate a new wave of electric ride-hailing services that blur the line between taxi and tech platform.

The success of this experiment will depend on execution. Utilization rates, driver retention, and passenger satisfaction will determine whether Green SM expands beyond its initial 500 vehicles. If the model works, expect to see VinFast taxis in other US cities. If it stumbles, the lessons learned will still inform VinFast's broader strategy. Either way, Vingroup has made it clear that it is willing to put its vehicles on the road and let American riders decide.