National Business Wire (Dec 29) -- Vietnamese electric vehicle manufacturer VinFast has opened its first dealership in the U.S. state of North Carolina.

VinFast has established its first partnership with U.S. distributor Leith Automotive Group on electric vehicle sales, unveiling the first VinFast dealership in the Cary Auto Park, a press release showed.

In addition to serving as a sales centre, Leith VinFast also provides "all repairs, maintenance and parts needed for VinFast vehicles," according to the statement.

Founded in 2017, VinFast is an electric vehicle division of Vingroup JSC (VIC), Vietnam's largest conglomerate. The company began delivering electric cars in California in March 2023, and has gone public on the Nasdaq in late August.

VinFast said last month that it had received 70 applications from dealers across the U.S., which if approved would allow VinFast to distribute its EVs through 125 points of sales across the country.

The electric carmaker has invested $4 billion in an auto manufacturing plant in North Carolina, which is set to begin production in 2026.

VinFast launched the VF 3, a mini electric car model, in Vietnam in early June, which the company is considering exporting to the U.S. to sell alongside the VF 8 and the premium VF 9.

Earlier this week, VinFast announced it will participate in the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2024 in Las Vegas, showcasing its latest electric vehicle concept and mini eSUV, the VF 3, to consumers around the world.

VinFast is currently working to expand its market share in North America and Europe, and said it expects annual global sales to reach 75,000 units by 2026.