New Car Models Flood the Vietnamese Market

As the Ghost Month fades, the market gears up for the year-end shopping frenzy. To capitalize on this peak season, car manufacturers are not only maintaining their promotions but also actively introducing new models to enhance their appeal to customers.

The most notable newcomer to the Vietnamese market in September is the Skoda Slavia. This European B-segment sedan is priced between 468 and 568 million VND, with an additional 100% registration fee waiver this month, making it the most affordable option in its class.

The Skoda Slavia’s entry as a European contender is expected to shake up the B-segment sedan market in Vietnam, previously dominated by Japanese and Korean brands. Leading models in this segment include the Toyota Vios, Hyundai Accent, and Honda City.

September saw the most new launches from the Korean brand Kia. After much anticipation, Kia unveiled the 2025 upgrade of the Sorento.

Compared to its predecessor, the 2025 Sorento features design refinements, enhanced convenience and safety technologies, and improved performance, positioning it competitively against rivals like the Hyundai Santa Fe and Toyota Fortuner.

While the Sorento’s launch was highly anticipated, the debut of the new Kia Morning came as a surprise, as there had been little prior information about this A-segment hatchback.

As a facelift, the 2025 Morning receives minor exterior and equipment upgrades. Nonetheless, the new version is expected to boost sales for this A-segment hatchback. In the first eight months of 2025, Thaco Auto sold only 186 units of the Kia Morning, a 62% decline compared to the same period last year.

In addition to these two models, Kia surprised the market by introducing the Carnival Hi Limousine, a high-roof variant recently launched in South Korea.

In Vietnam, this model is branded as Thacoroyal, but specific technical details and pricing have yet to be announced. If launched, this variant will elevate the Kia Carnival closer to the premium MPV segment.

Among Japanese brands, Mitsubishi introduced the facelifted version of its flagship MPV, the Xpander. The update includes exterior and interior enhancements, along with improved safety features.

Mitsubishi’s refresh of the Xpander is seen as a necessary move in response to the growing popularity of affordable electric vehicles. In the MPV segment, the newly launched VinFast Limo Green, introduced in August, poses a significant challenge to the Xpander in the service vehicle market.

Alongside Mitsubishi, fellow Japanese brands Toyota and Suzuki have released special editions of their existing models to commemorate their 30th anniversary in Vietnam.

Overall, the Vietnamese auto market in September has become more vibrant with the introduction of several new models, offering diverse options in terms of brand, style, and segment.

This wave of new vehicles, coupled with various promotional discounts, is expected to drive auto sales in Vietnam during the final months of the year. According to the Vietnam Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (VAMA), total sales as of August 2025 reached 220,733 units, a 17% increase compared to the same period in 2024.