With a local lineup of just one small EV, the e34, VinFast has invested heavily to develop models for overseas.
Alongside its VF8, it has also been developing the larger VF9, though that was delayed by about a month because of the impact of COVID-19 containment measures in Shanghai on suppliers, Thuy said.
"We will deliver cars to the international market by the end of the year," Thuy said, starting with the VF8. "All of our effort is on the start of production for the VF8."
VinFast is particularly betting on the U.S. market where it hopes to sell the two SUVs with prices from about $41,000 with a battery leasing plan.
VinFast aims to open its first showrooms in California by early July, including a flagship in Santa Monica, Thuy said.
The automaker also plans to build a plant in North Carolina where it is seeking government financing, with construction starting by summer-end and production beginning in 2024.
"Like any big corporate, we always consider all potential financing transactions," Thuy said.
VinFast's first VF8 models will be powered by batteries from South Korea's Samsung SDI, but the automaker has been developing its own batteries as a hedge against future shortage, Thuy said.
VinFast will start making the batteries in August and expects to have the capacity to produce about 3,000 vehicles with its own batteries by year-end, she said.
Thuy said she planned to spend a lot more time in Singapore where VinFast is in the process of buying a building, turning what has been a paper company into an operating hub that would include an office and housing for staff and executives.
"We are determined to establish the company in Singapore," Thuy said.