VinFast Auto .(US:VFS)2025-04-24 20:52Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Q4 2024, revenue was $678 million, up 34% quarter over quarter and 70% year over year, while full year revenue reached $1.8 billion, a 58% increase year over year [27] - Cost of goods sold in Q4 2024 was $1.2 billion, a 93% increase quarter over quarter, with full year cost of goods sold at $2.8 billion, up 67% versus 2023 [27] - Q4 2024 gross margin was -79%, compared to -24% in Q3, primarily due to an accounting charge related to the free charging program [28] - Full year gross margin loss improved to -32% in 2024 from -40% in 2023 when adjusted for the free charging program [29] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total deliveries for Q4 2024 reached 53,139 electric vehicles, a 143% increase quarter over quarter and 342% year over year [12] - B2C sales grew by 140% quarter over quarter and over 20 times year over year, with 81% of EV deliveries to non-related party customers [12] - The proportion of EV deliveries from non-Vietnam sales grew tenfold year over year, increasing from 3% to 10% of total deliveries [10] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - As of March 31, 2025, VinFast had 322 showrooms globally, with 89% being dealer stores, marking a 160% growth from 123 showrooms at the end of 2023 [10] - In Southeast Asia, the company is expanding its presence with strategic partnerships, having launched a green mobility ecosystem in Indonesia and the Philippines [13][14] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to solidify its leadership position in Vietnam while expanding into new markets, focusing on product innovation and cost optimization [86] - VinFast is committed to a three-pillar growth strategy: Product, Capacity, and Market, targeting to double 2024 volumes in 2025 [23][24] - The discontinuation of the battery leasing program is part of a strategic shift as consumer familiarity with EVs increases, complemented by a free charging program [84] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in achieving 2025 guidance despite macroeconomic challenges, expecting Q1 to be the slowest quarter with a significant uptick in the second half of the year [40] - The company is focused on scaling volume through new product launches and enhancing manufacturing efficiency to drive margin improvement [46] Other Important Information - The company received approximately $800 million in capital support from its founder and Vingroup by December 31, 2024, with total disbursements exceeding $1.5 billion by March 31, 2025 [35] - Cash burn improved significantly in 2024, decreasing by 39% year over year to $1.9 billion, reflecting disciplined cost and capital management [33] Q&A Session Summary Question: What gives confidence in the 2025 guidance? - Management expects Q1 to be slow but anticipates an uptick in Q2 and significant deliveries in the second half, projecting at least double the deliveries of the previous year [40][42] Question: Path to positive gross margins? - Excluding one-off charges, the gross loss margin improved from -40% in 2023 to -32% in 2024, with a focus on scaling volume and optimizing costs [45][46] Question: Accounting treatment for EV charging credit? - A one-time charge of $242 million was recognized in Q4 for the free charging program, with future recognition aligned with vehicle sales during the program [50][51] Question: Capital spending for 2025 and 2026? - Expected cash burn for 2025 is approximately $2.5 billion, with $1.8 billion allocated for CapEx on CKD facilities across Asia [57][58] Question: Share of sales from VF3 and VF5 in 2025? - The share is expected to be less than 50% in 2025, as new models from the green series will contribute significantly [62] Question: Impact of U.S. tariffs on consumer spending? - The company believes the impact of U.S. tariffs will be less severe compared to other OEMs, with most growth expected from non-U.S. markets [82] Question: Rationale for discontinuing battery leasing? - Battery leasing was essential in early EV adoption but has decreased significantly in sales percentage, making it the right time to discontinue [84]