Vinfast, the carmaking arm of Vietnam’s leading property developer Vingroup, will make six different types of vehicles, including electric buses, at its factory in the northern city of Hai Phong, the group's top boss said on Sunday.

The production of electric vehicles will allow Vinfast to contribute to the efforts to curb vehicle emissions in Vietnam, Vingroup chairman Pham Nhat Vuong said, as Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc toured the carmaker’s factory.

Vingroup began construction of the Vinfast automobile and electric motorbike manufacturing complex, expected to cost up to US$1.5 billion in the first phase, in Hai Phong in September 2017.

Vinfast has previously announced that it will start producing electric motorbikes in the third quarter of 2018, whereas five-seater sedans and seven-seater SUVs will leave the factory in the second quarter of 2019.

By the end of 2019, the company will have started sending electric cars and mini-cars to the market.

The company now expects to produce electric buses to heat up the local market by the same year, according to Vuong.

“Vinfast is exerting efforts to contribute to improving the quality of public transportation in Vietnam, as well as making a breakthrough to reduce vehicle emissions to the environment,” Vuong underlined.

During his visit, PM Phuc praised Vingroup for the implementation of the auto production project as it helps build a self-reliant economy for the country.

The premier also applauded the conglomerate for the rapid progress in completing the complex.

The Vinfast factory, spanning a total area of 335 hectares, is expected to be put into operation in June 2018 and will soon send the first batch of ‘made-in-Vietnam’ automobiles to the market.

VinFast said it has negotiated and signed agreements with several leading companies in the world on the provision of production lines, equipment and machinery.

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