Green SM, a Vietnamese ride-hailing firm owned by Vingroup, has entered the US market with a fleet of 500 VinFast all-electric taxis in Los Angeles. The launch marks Green SM’s ninth operating country and introduces its full-time driver model to compete in a market dominated by gig-based services.
- Green SM deploys 500 VinFast EV taxis with full-time drivers in LA.
- US is Green SM’s ninth market, boosting VinFast’s American footprint.
- Driver-owned model contrasts with Uber and Lyft’s gig economy approach.
What happened
Green SM, a ride-hailing company owned by Vietnam’s Vingroup, has launched an all-electric taxi service in Los Angeles, its first in North America. The company introduced 500 VinFast VF 8 SUVs operated by full-time, trained drivers in downtown LA. Riders can book rides through Green SM’s app, call a hotline, or hail the taxis on the street, with a promotional offer of 50% off the first five rides up to $12 each.
This launch marks the US as Green SM’s ninth international market, adding significant presence for VinFast, Vingroup's automotive arm, which has otherwise struggled with low sales in the American market. By owning the vehicles and employing drivers directly, Green SM seeks to deliver higher service quality than typical gig-based ride-hailing platforms.
Why it matters
The Green SM initiative represents a strategic push by Vietnamese conglomerate Vingroup to establish a foothold in the competitive US electric vehicle and ride-hailing markets. This approach contrasts with the prevalent gig economy models used by Uber and Lyft, emphasizing consistency, professionalism, and customer care through full-time driver employment.
Additionally, Green SM’s launch expands usage of VinFast EVs in the US, where the brand sold fewer than 400 cars in the first half of 2026. By integrating vehicle ownership with driver training, the company aims to improve public perception of electric taxis and accelerate EV adoption amid growing competition from autonomous vehicle services like Waymo and self-driving tests by Uber.
What to watch next
Monitoring consumer adoption and satisfaction with Green SM’s service in Los Angeles will be key to understanding the viability of a fully employed driver model in a market dominated by gig workers. The company’s ability to scale this approach could influence the future structure of ride-hailing platforms.
Another critical area will be the competitive dynamics with autonomous and hybrid human-robot taxi services, as Green SM’s focus on human-driven, all-electric vehicles sets a distinct alternative to driverless options. Regulatory developments and market acceptance in LA will shape Green SM’s expansion plans across the US.