--- title: "VinFast's Green SM Launches Electric Taxis in Los Angeles: Vietnamese Brand's First Step in the US" description: "Vietnamese brand Green SM, part of VinFast, has launched electric taxis in Los Angeles, marking the company's first step into the North American market. The fleet starts with 500 cars and full-time drivers." date: 2026-10-16T21:57:17.022Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/green-sm-vinfast-launches-electric-taxis-los-angeles tags: [green-sm, vinfast, electric-taxi, los-angeles, uber, lyft, ev-market, us-expansion] author: "Andrey Kosynko" publisher: "XAB.info" --- # VinFast's Green SM Launches Electric Taxis in Los Angeles: Vietnamese Brand's First Step in the US ![Turquoise VinFast Green SM electric crossovers parked on a city street in Los Angeles](https://xab.info/media/2026/10/16/green-sm-vinfast-start-v-los-angelese/green-sm-vinfast-start-v-los-angelese-1.webp) ## Key Points - Green SM (VinFast) has officially launched electric taxis in Los Angeles, marking the Vietnamese brand's debut in the North American market. - The initial fleet features 500 cars and 500 drivers; rides are available in Los Angeles and Orange counties, with LAX airport licensing still pending. - Unlike Uber and Lyft, Green SM employs professional drivers full-time under standard employment contracts. - According to Nikkei, the company plans to reach up to 10 countries by the end of the year; Reuters reports European expansion in 2027 and preparations for a Hong Kong IPO in 2028. Vietnamese electric taxi brand Green SM, part of the VinFast automotive group, has officially commenced operations in Los Angeles, California. The launch marks the company's first step into the North American market, as eco-friendly vehicles hit the streets of the megacity and immediately entered the ranks of the largest ride-hailing players. According to the Los Angeles Times, the arrival of Green SM coincides with active transportation service diversification and the expansion of the Southern California passenger transit network ahead of the 2028 Olympic Games. ### Competition with Uber and Lyft The Los Angeles Times notes that Green SM will directly compete with Uber, Lyft, and other ride-hailing and autonomous transport services. The company's initial fleet consists of 500 vehicles and 500 drivers, with customers able to hail rides via a mobile app in Los Angeles and Orange counties. However, as specified, at the time of launch the company had not yet obtained an official operating license for Los Angeles International Airport. Christopher Walker, Green SM's US operations manager, explained that fares will vary depending on the time of day and trip distance, but will remain competitive compared to its main rival, Uber Comfort. ### Employment Model: Full-Time Drivers Instead of Freelancers The publication highlights Green SM's labor model as a key differentiator from Uber and Lyft: the company hires professional drivers full-time under employment contracts rather than relying on independent contractors. LA Times recalls that in 2020, California drivers found themselves at a disadvantage after the state passed Proposition 22, which allowed ride-hailing and delivery services to continue classifying drivers as independent contractors. On October 13, Hoang Thanh Hang, CEO of Green SM USA, stated: «Think about drivers finding stability and a sense of pride in their work. We are restoring the status of drivers as a legitimate profession.» ### VinFast Strategy: A «Mobile Showroom» According to the Japanese newspaper Nikkei, the US launch is part of VinFast's gradual expansion into the promising American market following a slowdown in its electric vehicle manufacturing business in the country. Nguyen Quoc Tuan, chairman of the board of Green SM, stated that the company plans to expand operations to 10 countries by the end of the current year and further by 2030. Japanese news agencies compare Green SM to a VinFast «mobile showroom,» emphasizing its role as a growth driver in the brand awareness and market expansion strategy. ### Horizons: Europe and IPO According to Reuters, launching the taxi service in the US is simultaneously an ambitious step in international expansion and a strategy to increase VinFast vehicle sales. A company representative stated that expansion into several European countries is planned for 2027. Earlier, in March 2026, Reuters also reported on Green SM's plans to scale its global business ahead of an IPO in Hong Kong in 2028. Thus, the Los Angeles launch becomes a link in the Vietnamese automaker's multi-year program to enter international markets. ## Fact-Check & Sources - [Компания Green SM официально запускает свои услуги на рынке США.](https://www.vietnam.vn/ru/green-sm-chinh-thuc-trien-khai-dich-vu-tai-thi-truong-my) - Primary source: Green SM launch in Los Angeles, fleet of 500 cars/500 drivers, LA and Orange counties, quotes from C. Walker and H. T. Hang, Nikkei data (10 countries, 'mobile showroom') and Reuters (Europe 2027, Hong Kong IPO 2028). ## FAQ ### What is Green SM and which company does it belong to? Green SM is an electric taxi brand belonging to the Vietnamese automotive group VinFast. The Los Angeles launch represents the company's first step into the North American market. ### How many cars and drivers does Green SM have at launch in the US? The company is launching with a fleet of 500 vehicles and 500 drivers, with rides available across Los Angeles and Orange counties via a mobile app. ### How does Green SM differ from Uber and Lyft? Green SM hires professional drivers full-time under employment contracts, whereas Uber and Lyft operate on an independent contractor model. Fares are promised to be competitive with Uber Comfort. ### Does Green SM plan further expansion? According to Nikkei, the company targets up to 10 countries by the end of the year and more by 2030; Reuters reports plans to enter several European countries in 2027 and prepare for an IPO in Hong Kong in 2028.