VinFast Eyes India as Global Export Hub
Vietnamese electric vehicle giant VinFast is set to make India a major export hub globally, with the initial focus on markets in West Asia and Africa. The first phase of the $2 billion facility in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu, is expected to be operational by mid-2025, marking a significant step in VinFast's expansion plans.
VinFast, the global rival of Tesla, revealed its first electric vehicles for India at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025, two all-electric premium SUVs — VF 7 and VF 6, which will hit the market later this year. The company also plans to develop a comprehensive ecosystem of EVs, including the production of batteries and the installation of charging stations throughout the country. V-Green is a subsidiary of VinFast that is looking to co-invest in the construction of charging infrastructure in India.
VinFast Asia CEO Pham Sanh Chau said the strategic location for its India business was Thoothukudi due to its closeness to both the seaport and the airport, allowing for easy exports into global markets. VinFast already has two plants in Vietnam - one with 50,000 units and the other with 100,000 units. The company aims to serve the domestic Indian market as well as the markets of West Asia and Africa through its Thoothukudi facility.
The construction of the plant is in the first phase with an investment of $500 million. Chau also emphasized that the company has a localization approach, and they will manufacture the batteries in India and tie up with local dealers in all the major metros and Tier-1 cities. "We came here with a vision to stay long-term and invest heavily in the Thoothukudi factory", he said. The facility will generate around 3,000–3,500 local jobs.
The India-centric premium SUVs, VF 7 and VF 6, from VinFast are expected to hit the markets in the second half of 2025. Ashwin Ashok Patil, Deputy CEO of Sales and Marketing at VinFast India, said that the company will be appointing dealers across key towns in India and will be very focused on an omni-channel presence.
The company is holding talks with the Indian government to understand how it can leverage the country's EV policy, said Chau. "We think our premium products, including the VF 7 and VF 6, will help increase adoption of electric vehicles in India", he added. The firm is positioning itself as a premium carmaker that would target high-end Indian middle-class buyers by offering features like ten-year warranty and a battery leasing system.
It has come as a great development in the global EV landscape with its focus on advanced technology and sustainable mobility solutions, while VinFast makes its entry into the Indian market. This investment by the company in Tamil Nadu will be instrumental in cementing India's place among the world leaders in the electric vehicle sector.
