VinFast Bets on ‘Vietnam Strategy’ to Penetrate India and Other Asian Markets

As the global automotive industry shifts towards electric vehicles, VinFast has carved out a unique path. Beyond manufacturing cars, the company is building an entire green mobility ecosystem.

VinFast’s “three-pronged strategy” encompasses electric vehicle production, charging infrastructure development, and electric taxi services. This approach has become the cornerstone of the Vietnamese automaker’s expansion across Asia.

According to Nikkei Asian Review, VinFast, listed on Nasdaq, is set to begin deliveries in India this month. India is the world’s third-largest auto market by sales. This move follows successful entries into Indonesia and the Philippines, Southeast Asia’s most populous nations.

From Vision to Action

While Chinese EV brands leverage advanced technology and financial strength to lower prices and boost sales, VinFast is taking a different approach.

“Our distinction lies in our commitment to sustainable development, coupled with the creation of a comprehensive electric vehicle ecosystem,” VinFast shared with Nikkei Asia.

From its inception, VinFast has harbored global ambitions. Instead of merely selling cars, the company focuses on delivering a holistic customer experience.

VinFast’s strategy is straightforward: familiarize customers with their vehicles through taxi services, drive car sales, and sustain revenue for charging stations. This approach, combined with multi-year free charging programs, has propelled domestic sales.

What sets VinFast apart, especially from Chinese competitors focused on price, is its ecosystem philosophy. When customers think of VinFast, they envision a complete green mobility solution: from GSM taxi rides and V-GREEN charging to owning and using personal vehicles.

This strategy generates revenue from multiple sources and fosters long-term brand loyalty. Trust and consumer habits are cultivated through daily experiences, not just advertising campaigns.

“We provide high-quality electric vehicles while developing charging infrastructure and partnering with electric taxi service providers to create an integrated green mobility solution,” a VinFast representative stated.

VinFast, along with its subsidiaries GSM taxi (established in 2023) and V-GREEN charging stations (established in 2024), is part of Vingroup, founded by billionaire Pham Nhat Vuong.

In 2024, VinFast became Vietnam’s best-selling auto brand, delivering 87,000 electric vehicles. This surpassed Toyota’s 66,576 vehicles, primarily internal combustion engine models. In the first half of 2025, VinFast delivered 67,569 electric vehicles in Vietnam.

Building on its domestic success, VinFast is expanding its “three-pronged strategy” across the region.

GSM entered the Philippines in June 2025, and VinFast’s electric taxis, marked by their distinctive blue color, are now a common sight in Metro Manila.

“VinFast’s launch of GSM electric taxis is a significant move,” said Edmund Araga, head of the Philippine Electric Vehicle Association. “This is a notable advancement in public transportation and could be key to convincing potential buyers of the reliability and availability of their electric vehicles.”

In the Philippines, VinFast offers free charging until May 2027. V-GREEN aims to deploy 15,000 charging ports in the country this year.

“Filipinos are rapidly embracing electric vehicles, with sales soaring from a few hundred in 2019 to nearly 19,000 in 2024, now accounting for nearly 9% of monthly market share,” said Robert Dan Roces, an economist at SM Investments Corp.

In Indonesia, VinFast offers a 10-year vehicle warranty, guaranteed resale value, and free charging to reduce daily operating costs for buyers and charging station users. GSM entered this market in December 2024, with plans for 63,000 charging ports this year.

VinFast is also building a factory in Indonesia, the world’s fourth most populous nation with approximately 280 million people.

“Based on our analysis of Indonesian market pricing, VinFast’s models are slightly more expensive than comparable BYD products, excluding promotions,” said Thuc Than, an analyst at Vietcap Securities.

Additionally, Nikkei reports that VinFast separates battery costs—the most expensive EV component—and offers monthly subscription options. This makes purchasing more affordable, with lower installments, and eliminates concerns about battery degradation.

The New Battleground

India, the world’s third-largest auto market, marks another strategic move for VinFast. The company’s factory in Tamil Nadu demonstrates its long-term commitment and provides a competitive edge through local production. The VF 6 and VF 7 SUVs are competitively positioned, and the upcoming GSM service will further enhance brand visibility.

VinFast’s Tamil Nadu factory, its first outside Vietnam, spans 400 acres. Initially producing 50,000 vehicles annually, it can scale up to 150,000. Vingroup also plans to introduce GSM to India, though the launch date remains undisclosed.

In India, VinFast offers free charging until July 2028 and three years of complimentary maintenance. Notably, the company faces no competition from Chinese brands.

According to Nikkei, India is one of the few major auto markets to restrict Chinese automakers. Great Wall Motors abandoned its $1 billion investment plan, and BYD, despite global EV leadership, remains a minor player in India.

Currently, VinFast is focused on long-term strategy over short-term goals.

“We prioritize building customer trust, expanding our ecosystem, and promoting green mobility. As in Vietnam, we believe that once customers recognize our value, sales will grow sustainably over time,” the company stated.

With its synergistic three-pronged strategy, VinFast is charting a unique course in the global EV race. From domestic success to expansion in Southeast Asia and India, the company is proving that long-term ecosystem building matters more than short-term sales.

Source: Nikkei