Los Angeles just got a jolt of electric blue—and not just from its skies. Vietnamese ride-hailing company Green SM has rolled out a fleet of 500 VinFast VF8 electric vehicles (EVs) in the City of Angels, targeting a market crowded by giants like Uber and Lyft. But Green SM is betting on a bold new formula to stand out: company-owned EVs, full-time trained drivers, and a green mission that’s more than just skin deep.
The arrival of Green SM in L.A. signals more than another ride option—it’s a potential turning point for urban mobility, sustainability, and even the fate of VinFast in the U.S. market.
Why This Matters
- Disrupting the Gig Economy Model: Instead of relying on gig workers with personal vehicles, Green SM owns its entire fleet and employs full-time, specially trained drivers. This could set new standards for driver professionalism and customer experience.
- Proving Ground for VinFast: VinFast, Vietnam’s leading automaker, has struggled to gain traction in the U.S.—only 389 VinFast vehicles were registered in the U.S. from January to July 2026. Green SM’s fleet gives thousands of Angelenos a first-hand taste of the VF8, potentially turbocharging brand awareness.
- Pushing the EV Transition: With California’s strict emissions targets and L.A.’s notorious smog, a large-scale, fully electric ride-hailing fleet could be a game-changer for urban air quality and EV adoption.
What Most People Miss
- The Customer Experience Shift: Gig economy ride-hailing often delivers wildly inconsistent service. Green SM’s approach—full-time, trained drivers using identical, new EVs—could raise the bar for quality, safety, and reliability.
- A Stealth VinFast Test Drive: For most Americans, VinFast is an unknown. Green SM is effectively offering thousands of rolling test drives daily. This is a clever backdoor to building consumer trust in a brand that needs it.
- Fleet Ownership = Faster Upgrades: Because Green SM owns its vehicles, it can rapidly update the fleet as VinFast improves its hardware and software—unlike Uber and Lyft, which depend on what drivers buy.
- Labor Model Implications: As the U.S. debates gig worker protections, Green SM’s model may spark conversations about benefits, wages, and job quality in the ride-hailing industry.
Key Takeaways
- L.A. is Green SM’s first U.S. outpost, but the company already boasts 850 million rides across Europe and Asia.
- Riders can access Green SM via app, phone, or by hailing on the street—rare flexibility in a market dominated by app-only services.
- Initial promotions include 50% off the first five rides and a free Green Pass membership, with 10 monthly vouchers for 30% off—strategies aimed at rapid user adoption.
- VinFast’s VF8 has had a rocky start in the U.S., with past criticisms over ride quality and fit and finish. However, newer models promise improvements—and this fleet could reshape the narrative.
How Green SM Compares to the Competition
- Uber/Lyft: Asset-light, gig model, mixed fleet (many gasoline vehicles), inconsistent service.
- Waymo/Cruise: Autonomous, but limited coverage and still in pilot phases.
- Green SM: Company-owned, 100% EV, full-time trained drivers, uniform customer experience, environmentally focused.
Pros and Cons of Green SM’s Model
- Pros: Professional drivers, cleaner air, consistent fleet, brand visibility for VinFast, potential for better working conditions.
- Cons: Higher operating costs, risk if EV maintenance or charging infrastructure lags, unproven U.S. market acceptance.
The Bottom Line
Green SM’s L.A. debut is more than a new ride-hailing choice—it’s a real-world test of whether Americans are ready for a new kind of mobility: electric, professional, and maybe a little bit Vietnamese. If it works, expect both ride-hailing and auto industry incumbents to take notes (and maybe scramble for a response). Will Angelenos embrace the change? The next year will be telling.