Vietnam: A new Electric taxi brand coming in April 2023
GSM (Green and Smart Mobility – GSM) is a company founded by Pham Nhat Vuong, the billionaire behind VinGroup, one of the leading companies in Vietnam.
GSM Smart and Green Moving Joint Stock Company has a capital of 3,000 billion VND ($127,529.94), founded by Vingroup Chairman Pham Nhat Vuong with 95% stake. GSM operates in 2 main segments: Car rental - Electric motorbike and Electric Taxi. GSM will let transportation service companies such as taxis, motorbike taxis and their employees rent cars - electric motorbikes to carry passengers. At the same time, GSM also operates its own taxi service by electric cars. According to the plan, the first electric taxi company in Vietnam established by GSM will go into operation next month in Hanoi, towards nationwide coverage in 2023. All vehicles provided and used by GSM are VinFast cars and electric motorbikes, with an investment scale of 10,000 cars and 100,000 motorbikes.
With this electric taxi service, GSM will have 2 product lines including Standard taxi with 2 models VF e34 and VF 5 Plus, and high-class taxi with VF 8 model. GSM will use cars entirely from VinFast with an initial scale of 10,000 cars and 100,000 motorbikes, for both taxi and rental services.
GSM's electric taxi service business model is completely similar to traditional taxi in terms of operation, however, there are some differences. Firstly, the vehicle used is an electric vehicle from the VinFast brand with the advantage of no noise and no dust. Secondly, the company has a strength in technology, allowing customers to book a taxi through a switchboard number, an area with a taxi parking spot or book it right through a smart application. Thirdly, GSM service is guaranteed with quality control thanks to a team of newly trained drivers. According to confirmation from GSM, car rental partners (passenger transport service providers) will all be entitled to the same warranty and support policies as regular car buyers. Accordingly, the car is warranted for 10 years or 200,000 km (whichever comes first), along with 24/7 rescue policies, portable battery chargers, etc.
Currently, the electric taxi service fee has not been announced by GSM, but the company affirmed that "the fee will definitely be competitive compared to the market". It is expected that the specific fee will depend on each vehicle model and location, GSM will announce details on this issue next month when SM Green Taxi is officially launched.
According to GSM, the plan to deploy electric taxis and electric motorbikes is in the first phase, GSM will coordinate with Vietnam Prosperity Commercial Joint Stock Bank (VPBank) to provide preferential policies, with exclusive rights for Be Group's drivers to rent or buy VinFast electric cars and motorbikes through GSM at a reasonable cost. In the field of technology taxi service business, GSM and Be Group will also cooperate to share ride-hailing software. When needing to call a car, customers who call a car through the application of Be Group can choose the electric taxi service of GSM or the existing beCar and beTaxi services of Be Group.
VinFast is also currently supporting the green bus system in Hanoi.
source: the Internet