David Beckham today launched a Vietnamese luxury car firm just days after he dodged prosecution over a speeding charge on a technicality.
The former footballer appeared on stage at the Paris Motor Show to give his endorsement to a new saloon car and an SUV from car makers VinFast.
The firm, the first ever Vietnamese car maker, claims they are the first vehicles from the Far East to enter the ‘luxury’ market.’
Beckham stood smiling as he held a Vietnamese flag alongside Miss Vietnam 2018 Tran Xuey as the two cars were unveiled to industry experts and motoring fans.
David Beckham poses for a picture during VinFast launch at the Paris Motor Show today
Pictured left to right: Miss Vietnam 2018 Tran Tieu Vy, Vingroup Vice-President Le Thi Thu Thuy and David Beckham
It comes just five days after the former England captain wriggled out of a speeding charge after he was accused of driving a loaned Bentley at 59mph in a 40mph zone in west London.
He enlisted the services of celebrity lawyer Nick Freeman, dubbed Mr Loophole, who successfully argued that although he accepted speeding, the notice of intended proseuction was not received until one day after the statutory 14-day time limit.
He did not attend the hearing, and instead headed to Paris where he clelebrated over a £1,300 bottle of French wine with his wife Victoria.
Speaking at the event today in the French capital, Beckham said: ‘I find the two cars wonderful, they are so modern, comfortable, high tech, really class.
The launch was also streamed live on the firm’s website, and Beckham alongside Miss Vietnam, said he was ‘honoured to be here at this important moment’
Beckham, second left, appeared alongside (from left to right) David Lyon, director of design, Miss Vietnam Tran Tieu Vy, Vingroup Vice-President Le Thi Thu Thuy, and James DeLuca, general director of Vinfast
The VinFast LUX A20 which was launched today at the Paris Motor Show
‘Vietnam is a beautiful country and I can see the beauty of this.
‘How amazing is VinFast’s design team in these amazing cars, and it’s an inspirational story and I’m honoured to be here at this important moment.’
He added: ‘I have come to Vietnam many times and I have seen the passion and self-respect of the Vietnamese people, I think it is a pride for the Vietnamese people as they have a car brand of their own at a global exhibition in Paris.’
Billionaire Vietnamese industrialist Pham Nhat Vuong is behind VinFast. It is reported that line production of the new cars is set to begin next summer.
David posted this picture, left, which has since been deleted, of himself reclining in a car on Instagram after choosing not to attend his speeding trial last Thursday. Later his wife Victoria posted a picture of the couple enjoying a ‘date night’ with a bottle of wine
The factory under construction will be able to produce £250,000 vehicles a year.
By 2025, the company plans on manufacturing 500,000 vehicles a year – double the current annual car sales in Vietnam.
After Beckham was let off at Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court last week, Mr Freeman told reporters that his client was ‘very relieved with the verdict and very happy with his legal team’.
Lawyer Nick Freeman (pictured) arriving at court ahead of the hearing into Beckham’s speeding charge
But his let sparked fury, with road safety charity Brake, who said it was ‘hugely disappointing’ that a ‘role model like David Beckham shirking his responsibility and getting off a speeding prosecution on a mere technicality.’
Campaign director Joshua Harris added: ‘At the speed Mr Beckham was reported to be travelling, his stopping distance would be double that of someone driving within the limit – he should count himself very lucky that no incident occurred and tragedy was avoided.’
The 43-year-old was accused of driving the car over the speed limit on the A40 shortly after 5.30pm on January 23.
The NIP was one of 3,487 sent by Scotland Yard on February 2, which go by first-class post, and should have arrived at Bentley, as the registered keeper of the vehicle, no later than February 6.
After hearing witnesses from both the Metropolitan Police and Bentley Motors Ltd, District Judge Barbara Barnes said she was satisfied it did not arrive until February 7.
Mr Freeman previously helped Beckham overturn an eight-month driving ban in 1999 after successfully arguing that the footballer was trying to escape a paparazzi photographer.
The lawyer, who trademarked the nickname ‘Mr Loophole’ in 2008, gained fame after helping a host of A-list clients hold on to their driving licences.
He counts ex-Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, cricketer Andrew Flintoff and golfer Colin Montgomerie among his celebrity clientele.