(February 20, 2023) HANOI — Vietnam's VinFast said North Carolina regulators had given the automaker one of the environmental permits it needs to begin construction on a planned $4 billion EV assembly plant in the state. The company, a subsidiary of conglomerate Vingroup, has been moving to expand in the U.S., where it hopes to compete with existing automakers.

VinFast was awarded an "Air Permit," the company said, adding it was still seeking other permits for the Chatham Country factory, but would start a tender for construction.

"The Air Permit allows us to start construction on phase 1 of the factory. We will start construction soon," VinFast said, without specifying any time frame.

VinFast has said it plans to start operations in the North Carolina plant, expected to create more than 7,000 jobs, as soon as 2024. Phase one of the project includes a $2 billion investment in a factory capable of producing 150,000 vehicles a year. The company's second phase will focus on battery production.

The automaker is scheduled to deliver its first batch of cars shipped from Vietnam to U.S. customers by March 1.

Source: Reuters