Up to 33 per cent of Vietnamese buyers are open to considering an electric vehicle (EV) as their next car, demonstrating the country’s strong potential to speed up the electrification of automobiles. The information was revealed in a Nissan-commissioned study titled “Future of Electric Vehicles in Southeast Asia” by Frost & Sullivan, a global growth consulting company. The study was commissioned by Nissan and based on 1,800 online customer responses and face-to-face discussions across six countries in ASEAN, including Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Viet Nam and the Philippines. The survey’s results showed that one in three Southeast Asian consumers planning to buy a car was open to purchasing an EV. Across the region, two out of three consumers identified safety standards as the most important factor in purchasing an EV. Charging convenience was identified as the second-most important factor. Contrary to common perception, cost was not a deterrent—in fact, customers surveyed were willing to pay more to own an EV compared to a conventional car. The study, however, showed that lower costs would prompt more people to consider electric cars. Three in four respondents said they were ready to switch to EVs if taxes were waived. Other incentives that would persuade consumers to buy an EV include the installation of charging stations in apartment buildings (70 per cent), priority lanes for EVs (56 per cent) and free parking (53 per cent). Trudy Harris, product communications manager at Nissan Motor Corporation in the Asia Pacific region, told online newspaper Zing.vn that… [Read full story]
Demand for electric bikes is increasing sharply as locals are rushing to buy after the government of Vietnam hiked 31 per cent of gasoline price to VND19,000, the biggest rise so far, Vietnamese state newspaper said Wednesday.   &ldquoGasoline prices are raised, therefore, I have to buy electric bicycles for my family members to ride in the city,&rdquo Mrs Nguyen Thu Ha, a resident in Ho Chi Minh City&rsquos Binh Thanh district said.   Many bike shops in Ho Chi Minh City witnessed their strong sales over the past days. Ms Ho Thi Thu Suong, a saleswoman of a Martin-labeled…... [read more]
Back in 2008, with gas prices averaging nearly $4 a gallon, President Barack Obama set a goal of getting one million plug-in electric vehicles on the roads by 2015. Since then, his administration has backed billions of dollars in EV subsidies for consumers and the industry. Yet today – with gas prices near $2 a gallon - only about 400,000 electric cars have been sold. Last year, sales fell 6 percent over the previous year, to about 115,000, despite the industry offering about 30 plug-in models, often at deep discounts. Such challenges are part of the backdrop for Obama’s Wednesday…... [read more]
Saving remains a priority among Vietnamese consumers but many are increasingly keen to buy products and services they like. Upon returning from a holiday in Europe that cost her VND70 million ($3,140), which is an impossible dream for many young Vietnamese without help from their family, Ms. Le Thanh Thuy, a 26-year-old office worker who earns VND7 million ($310) a month, was proud to show some photos to her friends. "I had to save two-thirds of my salary for a year to make my dream come true," she replied when asked how she could afford the trip. On many online…... [read more]
(VOVworld) - Vietnam's entry into the World Trade Organization has brought about many positive changes for Vietnam over the past 5 years. On top of economic achievements, membership has encouraged Vietnamese consumers to buy products of higher quality and greater hygiene safety at shopping centers, supermarkets, and convenience stores. Since Vietnam joined the global trade body 5 years ago, its economy has grown in all fields, especially in distribution services and the retail industry. Against severe competition from multi-national distributor groups, domestic enterprises have become more aggressive in expanding their retail distribution systems, improving product quality, and diversifying services. The…... [read more]
A Ho Chi Minh City resident has become famous after introducing his homemade electric car that can carry up to five people at the maximum speed of 50km per hour.Tran Minh Tam, owner of an electric bicycle shop in Cu Chi District, has been able to create the electric vehicle without using any high technology.Local residents have given the man the nickname ‘Tam xe dien’ (electric car Tam) for his accomplishment.The car, named CITY 18, is designed to have five seats and can reach the top velocity of 50km an hour.After being fully charged, the vehicle can travel for up…... [read more]