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VinFast became the first EV-only automaker to integrate what3words technology
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Geolocation technology ensures precise navigation and eradicates risk of address inaccuracy or duplication for seamless experiences
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VinFast committed to widespread roll-out of what3words across its entire network, now including VinFast’s mobile servicing offer, providing customers with unrivalled flexibility and convenience
As the first all-electric carmaker to incorporate what3words into its vehicle systems, the dynamic new Vietnamese EV manufacturer, VinFast, is championing the widespread global roll-out of the innovative location technology. Chosen to enhance the precision of its navigation systems in global markets that include Southeast Asia, North America and Europe, what3words destinations can be directly inputted in VinFast’s first model for French, German and Dutch customers, the VF 8.
VinFast is developing a model range and customer support network with a view to making EVs aspirational, attainable and suitable for as many European customers as possible. Integration of what3words as a tool for precise navigation is an example of VinFast providing its customers with clarity of choice and simplicity of use. A VF 8 driver can sit behind the wheel and plot a route using touchscreen entry of a traditional postcode or street name address, or a precise what3words location.
Integration of what3words into the VF 8 is indicative of VinFast’s commitment to simplifying EV ownership to create an enticing choice for both experienced EV owners and new adopters alike. This ease of ownership is reflected in VinFast’s transparent sales and aftersales models. Buyers face a straightforward decision between Eco and Plus models, each offering an extremely high level of standard specification and unrivalled value for money: when the price of the VF 8’s D-SUV competitors is adjusted to include the options that match the VinFast’s standard specification, the average list price of European rivals is 14.5% higher than a VF 8 Plus. Also, a market-leading 10-year, 200,000km bumper-to-bumper warranty with unlimited mileage cover for the vehicle’s 87.7 kWh battery provides absolute assurance throughout the ownership experience.
Enhancing navigation precision
Street addresses often lack precision, with postcodes covering large areas, making it difficult for drivers trying to navigate to locations such as specific building entrances, new builds without addresses and secluded residences. Stadiums are usually assigned a single address and yet have multiple entrances and car parks, while exclusive pop-up venues may have no address at all. what3words eliminates these issues, significantly enhancing the navigation experience for drivers.
It has divided the globe into a grid of 3m x 3m squares, and assigned each one a unique combination of three random words: a what3words address. what3words enables people to easily convey locations as specific as building entrances and parking spots and provides easy location references in places with no street addresses, such as beaches, national parks and even viewpoints.
Just like VF 8, what3words can help users escape the weekly grind and plot a driver-focused route to wilderness and tranquility. With a range of up to 471km on the WLTP cycle, VF 8 drivers can confidently and efficiently embrace their spirit of adventure via a few simple words.
Precise navigation and access to exact location services can provide the security and familiarity to which VinFast is committed through its technology integration, strategic partnerships and robust aftersales network, which can also be navigated smoothly through the partnership with what3words. VinFast is committed to providing what3words addresses for its stores and mobile serving appointments, plus through its wider partnerships with companies such as Bosch, for its public charge point infrastructure, Mobivia and Fixico.
VinFast’s mobile service offering has been designed to provide customers with the most straightforward ownership experience possible. Rural customers can enjoy the same cover and service as a VF 8 owner living on the same street as a VinFast store, being visited at a convenient time and place to suit the most nuanced of requirements. Integration of what3words further enhances this capability by enabling precise directions to the most hard-to-find destination, whether that is buried at the centre of one-way streets and dual-carriageways, or along a rural track, third left past a dilapidated barn halfway up a remote hillside. The convenience of VinFast mobile servicing need never be compromised.
The more widespread adoption of what3words navigation encouraged by VinFast has wide-ranging benefits. It is rapidly gaining in popularity globally, and is available in over 60 languages to date, helping to make life safer, more efficient and less frustrating for businesses and consumers across the globe.
News stories about yet another unfortunate driver misled by outdated satnav directions down a dead-end farm track into a reservoir are soon to be a thing of the past. Thanks to what3words and VinFast, nobody needs to be lost or led astray by inaccurate directions again.
