Vietnam's Vinfast gets permit to test self-driving vehicles in California

HANOI, Feb 8 (Reuters) - Vietnam's first domestic car manufacturer, Vinfast, said on Monday it had obtained a permit to test autonomous vehicles on public streets in California.

Vinfast, a unit of Vietnam's largest conglomerate Vingroup JSC VIC.HM, said the permit granted by the California Vehicle Administration was needed in order for the firm to commercialize its electric vehicles in the U.S. market.

Vinfast said it has developed three models with autonomous features, adding that two of the models would be sold in the U.S., Canadian and European markets from 2022.

Last year, Vinfast said it had bought GM Holden's Lang Lang Testing Centre in Australia following its move to open a research and develop centre in Melbourne, as part of its efforts to expand internationally. nL4N2G60HH

(Reporting by Khanh Vu
Editing by Ed Davies)

((khanh.vu@thomsonreuters.com; +84 24 38259623;))