Sunroad Automotive Group already has 11 dealership locations and a collision center in southern California.

Now, the dealer organization is about to make it a dozen sales points as VinFast announced that Sunroad will operate the electric vehicle manufacturer’s first authorized dealership in the Golden State.

VinFast San Diego is set to officially begin operations this month. This location will provide California consumers with the opportunity to explore, test drive, and purchase or lease VinFast’s VF 8, 5-passenger electric, mid-size SUV and the VF 9 full-size, 3-row, 7-passenger electric SUV.

VinFast San Diego also will offer comprehensive after-sales services, including warranty support, maintenance and repair, and genuine VinFast parts.

“We’re incredibly proud to be VinFast’s first dealership partner in California, and to join this dynamic Vietnamese brand in shaping an exciting new chapter in the global electric vehicle revolution,” said Paul Fillmore, General Manager of VinFast San Diego, part of the Sunroad Automotive Group.

“We believe in VinFast’s strong potential to make a lasting impact in the North American market. At Sunroad, we’re committed to being a trusted and strategic partner-working together to create mutual value, drive growth, and deliver high-quality vehicles along with exceptional experiences to our customers,” Fillmore continued in a news release.

VinFast is accelerating the development of its dealership network across the U.S. and California has been identified as a top priority state because of its significant EV growth potential.

In addition to the store in San Diego, VinFast is actively seeking and evaluating opportunities with other potential dealerships throughout California.

To optimize operations and strengthen its market position, VinFast introduced a dealership sales model in late 2023. Recognizing the distinct advantages of this distribution channel, the company recently made a strategic decision to fully transition to a franchise dealership model in all 50 states, aiming to maximize business efficiency.

To date, VinFast has established a network of more than 30 authorized dealerships, with a strong presence across 15 key states in the U.S., including California, Texas, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, New York and others.

“Adding our first dealership in California signifies VinFast’s next strategic step in our business model transition and the development of our global dealership network,” said Mike Nolte, who is vice president of sales for VinFast US. This partnership underscores our ambition to expand our reach and optimize all operations to deliver smart, high-quality products and superior after-sales service to American consumers.

“By leveraging the strong reputation, internal capabilities, robust infrastructure, and deep understanding of the local market held by our partners, VinFast is committed to expanding effectively within the U.S. market, driving towards a future of sustainable growth and operational excellence,” Nolte went on to say.