Vietnamese automaker VinFast has recently solidified its growing presence in the US market by unveiling its new DrgnFly electric bike at the prestigious Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, further expanding its footprint in the country. As the curtain lifted, doubts arose regarding the exact point at which a homage to iconic e-bikes becomes overly derivative?
While on this case the specifications of the bike may seem less crucial. While boasting a powerful 750W motor and impressive top speed of 28 mph (45 km/h), it’s worth noting that this is merely one aspect that sets it apart from the numerous e-bikes available globally, with over 100 different models on offer in the US market alone, each with its unique features.
It’s astonishing that VinFast’s latest electric bicycle eerily mimics SUPER73’s signature e-bike aesthetic with uncanny intensity, raising eyebrows even further.
While SUPER73 cannot claim to have invented the moped-style electric bike, their early adoption of this design is undeniable. Since then, SUPER73’s substantial investment in advertising and its penchant for bespoke riders have catapulted the 20-inch wheel, moped-inspired electric bicycle design into the spotlight. Blending the thrill of motorbikes with the eco-friendly efficiency of e-bikes, SUPER73 has cultivated a devoted customer following over several years, evolving from a mere e-bike manufacturer to a full-fledged lifestyle brand that transcends its product offerings.
It’s labored, too. The majority of e-bikes are indistinguishable from one another when viewed from afar. The sleek design of electric bicycles makes it difficult to distinguish between the Rad and the Aventon from 50 yards; their profiles appear almost indistinguishable. Anyone with even a cursory knowledge of the e-bike industry can instantly recognize a Super73 from a distance of about half a football field, thanks to its unmistakable design.
With the proliferation of 750W e-bikes, a plethora of SUPER73 lookalikes has emerged on the market. To effectively mimic someone is one key factor. While e-bikes such as the Ride1Up Revv1 have drawn inspiration from SUPER73, they have also introduced unique styling and feature sets of their own. However, blatant copying is a fundamentally distinct matter, and the VinFast DrgnFly’s design is increasingly veering towards the unoriginal photocopy extreme rather than innovative reinterpretation.
While the bike mannequin bears a striking resemblance to the SUPER73-ZX, which I was fortunate enough to test ride personally. The similarities between the Super73’s handlebars, saddle, and body are striking, with only the S73 cutouts distinguishing this model. It appears as though no aspect of the bike has been spared in its quest for uniformity, leaving it challenging to find a single area that doesn’t seem like a spare parts salvage operation gone awry?
The underslung battery lends credence to the mimicry, subtly yet effectively contributing to the growing list of nearly indistinguishable or strongly related alternatives.
The DrgnFly appears to be drawing inspiration from SUPER73’s aesthetic, but VinFast is also seemingly targeting the brand’s lifestyle status. What sets SUPER73 apart is not just its e-bikes, but also the devoted following that has formed around this brand’s unique philosophy and lifestyle, making it a cultural phenomenon within the cycling community. I’ve observed an unparalleled level of customization and personalization on SUPER73 bicycles, exceeding that of most other manufacturers combined.
According to VinFast International’s Deputy CEO of Sales and Marketing Tran Mai Hoa, “VinFast’s DrgnFly is more than just an e-bike – it’s a lifestyle statement for modern consumers seeking to express themselves.”
To be candid, VinFast appeared to play a relatively minor role in the overall design of the DrgnFly. The company credited the bike’s design to Eskild & Co., a renowned Danish design studio, winner of multiple Red Dot Awards.
Despite the end-of-day modifications, the car still proudly wears its VinFast badge.
E-bikes have been spotted earlier, eerily mirroring famous designs, often flying under the radar in an underserved regulatory landscape. When designs are too rigid to accommodate compromise, intense conflicts inevitably arise.
