# Vingroup’s Green SM Launches Electric Taxi Fleet in Los Angeles Vietnamese ride-hailing firm deploys 500 VinFast VF 8 SUVs to enter North American market. - **Source:** [The Next Web](https://brifing.si/source/afe24b20-b275-4c19-b9a6-8bb3c8babae7) - **Published:** 2026-10-19 - **Topic:** [Business](https://brifing.si/c/business) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/ca8ce2c0-c984-4e76-bc06-3821ad214076 ## Strategic North American Entry Green SM, the Vietnamese ride-hailing firm owned by Vingroup, has officially launched its all-electric taxi service in Los Angeles. This marks the company's ninth international market and its first expansion into North America. The service utilizes 500 VinFast VF 8 SUVs, aiming to establish a physical presence for the brand on US roads. ## Vertical Integration Model The service functions through a unique vertical integration strategy where Vingroup owns both the ride-hailing platform and the vehicle manufacturer, VinFast. This approach provides a direct channel for VinFast to showcase its electric SUVs to American consumers. The company aims to overcome previous sales challenges by increasing vehicle visibility through this taxi fleet. ## Operational Staffing Differences Unlike major competitors like Uber and Lyft, which rely on gig economy workers, Green SM employs and trains its own full-time drivers. This model emphasizes service quality and consistent customer interaction as key differentiators. By owning the fleet and managing the staff, the company maintains direct control over the entire passenger experience. ## Market Performance Context VinFast has faced significant hurdles in the US market, reporting fewer than 400 vehicle sales during the first half of 2026. By deploying these 500 units as taxis, the company is effectively creating a mobile showroom. This strategy attempts to build brand recognition and consumer trust in a highly competitive automotive landscape. ## Booking and User Incentives Customers can access the service via the Green SM mobile application, a dedicated hotline, or by hailing a vehicle directly on the street. To encourage adoption, the company is offering new users a 50 percent discount on their first five rides, capped at 12 dollars per trip, to incentivize initial platform usage. ## Competitive Landscape in LA Green SM enters a crowded Los Angeles transportation market currently dominated by established players. The company faces direct competition from Waymo, which operates driverless cars, and Uber, which is actively testing autonomous minibuses. Navigating these existing regulatory and technological frameworks will be a critical factor for the firm's long-term operational success. ## Global Operational Scale Founded in 2023, Green SM has rapidly expanded its footprint across Vietnam, Laos, Indonesia, the Philippines, India, Kazakhstan, Denmark, and the Netherlands. The company reports having completed approximately 850 million rides across these diverse international markets. This rapid scaling provides the operational experience necessary to manage the complexities of the Los Angeles launch. ## Future Mobility Vision US Chief Executive Hoang Thanh Hang stated that the future of electric mobility extends beyond just the fleet. The company focuses on service quality, driver reliability, and genuine customer care to differentiate itself. Success in Los Angeles will depend on whether this human-centric approach can effectively compete against the city's growing autonomous vehicle infrastructure. ## Sources covering this story - https://thenextweb.com/news/green-sm-vinfast-ev-taxis-los-angeles — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._