VinFast India CEO: 'We will introduce products regularly to maintain growth and excitement'

Less than a year since it began selling cars in India, Vietnamese EV maker VinFast has swiftly become one of the country's top five bestselling EV manufacturers. Its sales strategy relies heavily on three years of free maintenance, seven years of free roadside assistance, and free public charging until 2029 via its burgeoning V-Green charging network. While the network is currently limited to 300 chargers across India and available exclusively to VinFast owners, the brand may have to reconsider this exclusivity due to regulatory pressure.

“Charging infrastructure will grow steadily across the country,” says VinFast India CEO Tapan Kumar Ghosh. “Our group company is developing the charging network, and we have partnered with third parties such as RoadGrid and HPCL, with whom we have an MoU covering 10,000 petrol pumps.”

Following VinFast’s relatively lacklustre foray into US and European markets, the brand is making India central to its plans and its target of breaking even by 2027. Having built its 400-acre Thoothukudi plant in a record 17 months, the brand is set to launch its third offering: the VinFast MPV 7. As the name suggests, it is a seven-seater that leverages larger-than-standard dimensions to capture an electric MPV segment currently dominated by the likes of the Kia Carens Clavis and Mahindra XEV 9S.

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VinFast intends to build an extensive portfolio, ranging from entry-level products like the upcoming VF3 EV to mid-range offerings like the MPV 7—with the top variant priced at Rs 24.49 lakh—and eventually premium models like the VF9 in a phased manner. “Given our plant capacity [50,000 units per year], we need regular product introductions to maintain growth and excitement,” adds Ghosh.

Optimism and growth

Amid the ongoing energy crisis sparked by the West Asia war, Ghosh remains optimistic about EV growth in the country. “We have always believed in India’s long-term EV potential. The market has grown significantly from 5,000 units per month a few years ago to 22,000 units in March.”

VinFast intends to build an EV ecosystem founded on high levels of localisation, long warranty periods, and an expansive charging network. Regarding the current exclusivity of their chargers, Ghosh notes, “We’re still evaluating whether to open our charging network to other brands. We will comply with Indian regulations.”

An alternate route

Unlike segment pioneers like MG Motor, VinFast is eschewing battery subscription plans—an approach recently adopted by domestic players like Tata Motors and Maruti Suzuki—to lower acquisition costs. Instead, the brand offers incentives such as a 75% buyback scheme for EVs sold within two years. Additionally, it introduced a “Trade Gas for Electric” programme in March 2026, offering discounts of up to Rs 1.3 lakh for trading in existing ICE vehicles.

In the last month alone, VinFast India saw 66% growth with 691 registrations, compared to an earlier monthly average of 300–400 units. The brand aims to expand its dealer network from 51 to 75 showrooms this year, alongside 230 service workshops built through third-party partnerships.

Localisation and research

Although VinFast’s current localisation levels stand at 15%, many components, including brakes and door panels, are already being manufactured in India for markets like Indonesia, the Philippines, and the EV maker's home turf Vietnam (where the brand holds a 36% share of the passenger vehicle market).

Ghosh states the brand is carrying out extensive research to ensure vehicles are tuned to India’s specific requirements. This includes reworking suspensions, enhancing thermal management for temperature extremities, and optimising software so ADAS features can handle dense traffic conditions. While the brand has scaled rapidly, the current product line will continue to arrive via the CKD (Completely Knocked Down) route, with no immediate plans for a bespoke India-specific car model.

Electric two-wheelers

The strategy shifts when it comes to the upcoming range of electric scooters scheduled for launch later in 2026. VinFast plans to enter the country’s electric two-wheeler market with India-specific models, targeting mass adoption through competitive pricing. These will be manufactured in Tamil Nadu, with a long-term capacity of up to one million units, positioning VinFast against established players like TVS, Ola, and Ather. Because the company produces components in-house, including software and battery packs, it expects to price its range, from low-speed pedal-assisted models to premium scooters, very competitively.

Short-term plans

“Our products, such as the VF6, VF7, and MPV 7, stand out for their design and are well appreciated by customers. Safety remains a strong focus, reflected in solid Bharat NCAP ratings...we continue to offer a competitive range and strong value for money,” says Ghosh.

When asked about VinFast’s core differentiators, he concludes: “Over the next five years, our focus is on strengthening the fundamentals—not chasing short-term market share. That means delivering high-quality products at competitive prices, building strong manufacturing and localisation capabilities, developing a robust vendor ecosystem, expanding our sales and service networks, and ensuring a deep presence across Tier 2 and Tier 3 markets.”