VinFast eyes premium EV space in India, downplays competition with Tesla
Vietnam's electric vehicle manufacturer
VinFast
is preparing to enter the Indian market with two premium electric SUVs — the VF7 and VF6 — scheduled to launch ahead of the upcoming festive season. Bookings for the vehicles are expected to open this month, with the initial units to be imported from Vietnam.
Pham Sanh Chau, CEO of VinFast Asia and former Vietnamese ambassador to India, said the company is positioning itself as a
premium EV brand
and is not focused on competing directly with players like Tesla or BYD. 'We don't see Tesla, or even BYD for that matter, as competition. Our mission is green mobility,' Chau said, PTI noted while he was outlining VinFast's strategy to build an entire
EV ecosystem in India
.
Thoothukudi Plant to Anchor India Strategy
VinFast has invested $500 million in a manufacturing facility in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu, with a total commitment of $2 billion by 2030. Completed in 15 months with support from both state and central governments, the plant will cater to domestic demand and serve as an export hub for the Middle East and Africa. The company plans to scale production from an initial 50,000 units annually to 1,50,000 depending on market conditions.
Although the VF7 and VF6 will be imported initially, the company aims to localise production to benefit from cost efficiencies and government incentives. Chau confirmed that pricing would be positioned as 'affordable' despite the vehicles' premium features, noting the price-sensitive nature of the Indian market.
Building a Full EV Ecosystem
As part of its India rollout, VinFast will display its vehicles in high-footfall areas such as malls and airports. The company is also setting up a dealer and service network, building charging infrastructure, and developing a used vehicle exchange program. Talks with various state governments are ongoing to support EV adoption, particularly in setting up public charging stations.
VinFast expects to employ up to 3,500 local workers by 2030 and has already begun recruiting engineering graduates from Tamil Nadu. Chau described India as a 'growing, dynamic automobile market' and expressed confidence in attracting investment and consumer interest as VinFast scales its operations in the country.
(Source- PTI)
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