Vietnam-based electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer VinFast is set to enter the Indian market in June with the launch of its VF6 and VF7 models. The debut marks the company’s much-anticipated foray into India’s growing EV sector.
Additionally, VinFast’s upcoming manufacturing plant in Tamil Nadu — built with a $2-billion investment — is expected to become operational within weeks, with an initial annual capacity of 50,000 electric vehicles. Going ahead, the company will ramp up its capacity to meet the market demand and explore export opportunities, potentially reaching up to 150,000 vehicles annually.
“We will be opening bookings for models VF6 and VF7 in June. We will also be announcing the price of the two cars,” VinFast Asia CEO Pham Sanh Chau said, adding that the company will launch VF7 first, followed by VF6.
The company will be launching the two models in 33 cities. EVs are rapidly being embraced in both Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities and the company aims to establish an appropriate brand presence across India, it said. VinFast will continue to expand its dealership network based on the potential of each city.
Gradually, the company also plans to set up EV charging infrastructure to support EV adoption. While the company is not currently under any active discussions with Indian companies for collaboration, the CEO said the company “does not exclude any possibility of working together”. He also mentioned that the company is in talks with various banks to facilitate financing solutions for both customers and dealers.
“We’re excited, and I am very optimistic about our presence in India,” Chau told FE. “We think that India is a big market. We have prepared very well. The strategy of entering India is very well positioned,” he said.
VinFast, the automotive company founded by Vingroup, also plans to enter into the taxi segment in India eventually, providing sustainable mobility in line with the Indian government’s vision. The company will introduce four electric taxi models — Minio Green, Nerio Green, Herio Green, and Limo Green — likely in 2026.
“What we do is that we see where we have the high rate of adoption for EV and then we will develop our showroom and workshops there. We first increase our sales and then we also try to get our taxi there,” he said.
VinFast aims to become a prominent player in the premium car segment in India. “To make a break even, you have to produce mass,” Chau highlighted. “I think that we will start with becoming the leader in the number of cars sold and eventually become leader in the premium segment. That is the purpose.”
To further expand its presence in the country, the company is also under discussions with the state governments of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana apart from Tamil Nadu, where its existing manufacturing facility is located.
VinFast’s parent company Vingroup plans to diversify its business in India with the setting up of smart cities, green energy including wind and solar, hospitality services, e-bus business, and educational and healthcare institutions.
VinFast India is the Indian subsidiary of VinFast, a NASDAQ-listed electric vehicle manufacturer headquartered in Vietnam.
Alongside product development, the company will focus on localisation by partnering with domestic suppliers to optimise costs and enhance competitiveness in the Indian market. The company’s entry into India is part of its broader international strategy, following expansion into markets such as the US, Canada, Europe, West Asia, and Southeast Asia.
Vingroup’s V-Green Global Charging Station Development Joint Stock Company (V-Green) aimed at building a smart EV charging ecosystem is currently expanding into regional markets such as India, Laos, Indonesia, and the Philippines, the company said. The company offers a wide range of charging station products, including home chargers (7.4 kW and 11 kW), public AC and DC chargers (from 11 kW to 250 kW).
(The author was in Vietnam at the invitation of VinFast)
