A fleet of VinFast electric cars appeared in a Chinese export video, sparking speculation. Discover the real story behind Green SM’s shipment and what’s next. Read more now!
In late June, a video posted by the official Facebook page of the Chinese city of Zhanjiang (Taishan Port, Guangdong) showed a massive line of bright‑green electric cars rolling off a cargo ship. The footage quickly went viral, with many viewers assuming the vehicles were VinFast models being exported from Vietnam to China.
What the video actually showed
The clip was part of a promotional piece highlighting the port’s record‑breaking export volume – 507,000 vehicles in the first five months of 2026, a 70% increase over the same period last year. The narration labeled the scene as “the export bomb of China’s automotive industry.”
Why the VinFast brand sparked a debate
VinFast, Vietnam’s flagship electric‑vehicle (EV) manufacturer, has been expanding its global footprint. Seeing its signature green‑blue livery at a Chinese port raised eyebrows among Vietnamese netizens, who wondered why cars built in Vietnam would be docked in China while the video discussed Chinese car exports.
The real story: Green SM’s European rollout
According to VnExpress, the vehicles were not VinFast’s own export batch. They belong to Green SM, a Vietnam‑based electric‑taxi operator that exclusively uses VinFast EVs. The fleet was being shipped from Hai Phong, Vietnam, to Europe to launch Green SM’s tech‑driven taxi services in several mature markets.
On June 7‑9, the cars were loaded onto the container ship Grande Roma in Hai Phong. The vessel arrived at Taishan Port on June 13 and the cars remained there until June 20, where they were off‑loaded and stored on the dock.
Continuing the journey to Europe
After the short stop in China, most of the vehicles were transferred to a larger vessel, the Grande Melbourne, bound for Antwerp, Belgium. Shipping trackers predict the ship will dock in Antwerp on July 31.
A smaller portion of the fleet will travel overland via rail to Kazakhstan, where Green SM opened its first Central Asian taxi service on June 23. Because Kazakhstan is landlocked, the cars must be moved by truck and train.
Target markets and future plans
Green SM has not disclosed the exact timeline for its European launch, but recent posts from the company indicate that it is scouting four potential markets: Sweden, Denmark, Norway, and the Netherlands. Job ads for drivers have already appeared in the Netherlands, suggesting that the Dutch market could be the first European foothold.
About Green SM
Founded in 2023, Green SM operates an all‑electric mobility ecosystem across Vietnam, Laos, Indonesia, the Philippines, India, and Kazakhstan. The company relies exclusively on VinFast electric cars, integrating them with a proprietary technology platform to ensure consistent service standards across all regions.
Takeaway
The sight of VinFast‑branded EVs at a Chinese export port was a case of mistaken identity. The vehicles were part of Green SM’s ambitious expansion into Europe and Central Asia, not a direct VinFast export to China. This development underscores the growing global demand for Vietnamese‑made electric taxis and highlights VinFast’s role as a key supplier in the international EV market.
Stay tuned for updates as Green SM prepares to roll out its fleet on European streets later this year.