EV push: Vietnam’s VinFast enters India with ‘whole ecosystem’; launches VF 6 and VF 7 SUVs

Vietnam’s VinFast enters India with ‘whole ecosystem’; launches VF 6 and VF 7 SUVs (Picture credit: X/@VinFastIN)

Vietnamese electric vehicle (EV) maker VinFast has formally stepped into the Indian market with a strategy that goes beyond selling cars, aiming instead to build a complete ecosystem spanning mobility, infrastructure and lifestyle.Pham Sanh Chau, CEO of VinFast Asia, was quoted as saying by ET that the company’s goal is not to chase volumes but to establish long-term value for Indian consumers. “We don’t put volumes as the key performance indicator. Our aim is to sell the first 1,500 cars with a lot of benefits, three years of free charging, three years of free maintenance, and a ten-year warranty. No other OEM offers that in India,” he said.The company on Saturday launched its first two EV models in India, the compact VF 6 and the mid-sized VF 7, priced at Rs 16.99 lakh and Rs 22.99 lakh (ex-showroom) onwards, respectively. Both SUVs, assembled at VinFast’s Thoothukudi plant in Tamil Nadu, are positioned as premium yet accessible EVs for Indian families. According to ET, the VF 6 comes with a 59.6 kWh battery and up to 468 km ARAI-certified range, while the VF 7, offered with two battery choices, can deliver up to 532 km on a single charge.Chau underlined that VinFast’s ambitions extend beyond automobiles. “We are not only selling cars; we bring the whole ecosystem. We will introduce e-buses, e-two-wheelers, and e-taxis, as well as green power and solar technology. Over time, we will also bring VinMec hospitals, VinSchool education, and VinGroup resorts. If you buy our car today, one day you will enjoy the whole ecosystem,” he added further, as per ET.As per news agency PTI, VinFast’s parent Vingroup is also exploring smart city projects in India, with plans for over 2,000-acre developments that integrate renewable energy, EV charging infrastructure, and hospitality ventures. The group, often compared to a mix of “Tata, Reliance and Infosys” in Vietnam, operates 47 luxury resorts globally and is now keen to replicate its footprint in India.The company currently has a production capacity of 50,000 units at its Tamil Nadu plant and is looking to scale it up to 1.5 lakh units in the second phase. VinFast also plans to expand its dealer network to 35 outlets this year and install 15,000 charging stations with partners.Globally, VinFast is seeking to strengthen its presence despite facing financial challenges. The company posted a net loss of $812 million in the second quarter, though deliveries rose sharply by 172 per cent to over 35,800 vehicles, according to its filings.