Vietnamese billionaire Nguyen Quoc Cuong, known for flaunting hypercars, now favors affordable Japanese sports cars like the Mazda MX-5. Discover his latest picks today!
Vietnamese billionaire Nguyen Quoc Cuong—often nicknamed “Cuong Dollar” in the local car scene—has long been synonymous with exotic hypercars. A few years ago, his garage boasted the likes of a Ferrari F8 Tributo, Lamborghini Huracán, McLaren 570S and a Gallardo, all wrapped in eye-catching paint and priced in the tens of billions of dong.
Those machines shared a common theme: massive V-engines, loud exhaust notes, and price tags that matched their performance. The Ferrari F8, for instance, packed a 3.9-liter twin-turbo V8 delivering 720 hp and once sold for about $250,000.
A Shift Toward Simplicity
In recent years, Cuong’s automotive tastes have taken a more modest turn. He’s been spotted behind the wheel of Japanese sports cars that prioritize driver engagement over raw horsepower. Models such as the Subaru BRZ, Honda Civic Type R, Toyota 86 and the legendary Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X have appeared in his recent social-media posts.
The Latest Addition: Mazda MX-5 Miata
Most recently, the tycoon shared a photo of the interior of a brand-new Japanese sports car. The sleek dashboard, low-slung seats and classic “horse-shoe” shape gave it away: it’s the latest generation Mazda MX-5 Miata, offered in a manual-only soft-top configuration for the Vietnamese market.
The MX-5 is powered by a 2.0-liter SkyActiv-G engine that produces 181 hp and 205 Nm of torque. Paired with a rear-wheel-drive layout and Bilstein suspension, the car delivers the pure, connected feel that Cuong seems to be chasing.
Pricing and Availability in Vietnam
In Vietnam, the MX-5 is sold in two trim levels—soft-top and hard-top—with both automatic and manual transmission options. Prices range from VND 1.339 billion to VND 1.439 billion, roughly $57,000-$62,000. The manual soft-top version is the only model that matches the specifications shown in Cuong’s photo, suggesting this is the very car he now calls his own.
Why the Change?
Cuong’s pivot reflects a broader trend among affluent collectors who are seeking more “driver-focused” experiences. Smaller displacement engines, lighter chassis and manual gearboxes provide a sense of involvement that super-cars can’t always deliver.
Whether it’s the thrill of a perfect corner or the joy of a clutch bite, the Japanese sports car segment offers a balanced mix of performance, affordability and everyday usability—an appealing combination for a billionaire who now values the feel of the road over sheer power.
Stay tuned for updates on Cuong’s evolving collection, as he may soon add more Japanese icons to his lineup.