Vietnamese EV automaker VinFast has announced it will be the world’s first automaker to offer its drivers access to Sony’s new RIDEVU in-car streaming service. VF 8 customers in the US will gain access to Sony’s library of over 2,000 movies with the opportunity to rent and purchase premium content.
The VF 8 is young automaker VinFast’s ($VFS) flagship EV, hitting the US market two years ago as a 2023 model. Following some early software hiccups, VinFast has pushed forward to get more of its SUVs on US roads, pulling demand levers while expanding its stateside dealer network.
We drove the VF 8 early on, and it was fine, but there were some clear bugs that needed to be sorted out. 2024 remains a pivotal year for the Vietnamese automaker as it looks to continue riding rising revenues and make up for missed delivery targets last year.
One feature VinFast is utilizing to entice would-be US customers is entertainment. Today, VinFast announced the VF 8 will offer Sony’s new streaming service, RIDEVU – a world debut in an EV.
VinFast offers VF 8 customers one year of Sony RIDEVU
Per a VinFast release this morning, new and existing customers can now access Sony’s RIDEVU service as part of the automaker’s VF Connect Prime package. VF 8 customers in the US with the package can add RIDEVU via over-the-air (OTA) update.
RIDEVU is a new streaming platform developed by Sony Pictures Entertainment that offers access to a library of over 2,000 movie titles that are updated regularly, offering unlimited replays… of up to 100 movies (so, not unlimited, got it). Sony states that VF 8 drivers will also gain access to premium titles directly through the app by redeeming credits, renting, or buying a movie flat out.
VinFast US’ vice president of sales and marketing David Duncan spoke to the addition of Sony’s new service:
We are thrilled to be the world’s first automobile manufacturer to officially launch RIDEVU, offering an engaging entertainment experience for our U.S. customers. I believe that as a smart and green mobility solution, the VinFast VF 8 will deliver a convenient and enjoyable experience to customers wherever their journey takes them.
The release shared that Sony RIDEVU can synchronize and stream content across multiple screens, including in-car displays in the VinFast VF 8 and handheld devices. A Screen Manager feature gives owners complete control over playback on all connected displays from the EV’s center screen in the dashboard.
To ensure safety, VinFast drivers and passengers can only view Sony RIDEVU content on the center display while the EV is parked. However, passengers can watch movies on their mobile devices using the RIDEVU Companion app while the vehicle is in motion. Sony states that RIDEVU is compatible with Android, iOS, Android TV, Apple TV, and Linux.
The VinFast VF 8, now including Sony RIDEVU is available for sale in the US (mainly California) at a starting MSRP of $47,200.
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