VinFast's India strategy centers on long-term investment and ecosystem development rather than rapid sales growth, according to the Vietnamese automaker's Asia chief.
21 Jan 2026 | 274 Views | By Prerna Lidhoo and Ketan Thakkar
Pham Sanh Chau, CEO of VinFast Asia, has called India a long-term strategic market and a “second home” for the Vietnamese electric vehicle maker, as the company completes one year of operations in the country.
Signalling that the company’s India entry is not aimed at short-term volumes but at ...
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Pham Sanh Chau, CEO of VinFast Asia, has called India a long-term strategic market and a “second home” for the Vietnamese electric vehicle maker, as the company completes one year of operations in the country.
Signalling that the company’s India entry is not aimed at short-term volumes but at sustained, ecosystem-led growth, Chau said the company approached India with a clear understanding of the market’s complexity and the need for patience.
He asserted that India is not a market where success can be accelerated quickly, and that VinFast’s strategy is built around listening, localisation and long-term investment rather than rapid expansion.
VinFast’s India plans are part of a wider global push by its parent, Vingroup, which operates across automotive, real estate, healthcare, education and renewable energy. The group has committed a $2 billion investment to establish an integrated electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing facility in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu, India, with a current capacity of 50,000 units and plans to produce up to 150,000 electric vehicles annually once fully operational. With 35 operational showrooms currently, the company plans to close the year with 75 showrooms, on the back of its entry into Tier 2 and Tier 3 markets.
Chau stressed that the group’s investment philosophy does not revolve around single product cycles or short business horizons, but around long-term commitment and steady execution.
VinFast has already begun local manufacturing in Tamil Nadu, with its VF 6 and VF 7 electric SUVs rolling out from the Thoothukudi facility.
The company said localisation is a key pillar of its growth strategy in India, with vehicles developed and assembled for local operating conditions and customer expectations.
The Indian factory is part of VinFast’s expanding global manufacturing footprint, which has grown from a single plant to four factories across the US, Indonesia and India.
Beyond vehicle assembly and sales, VinFast is working with financial institutions, suppliers, charging infrastructure partners and state governments to support EV adoption in India. Dealer and service network expansion is underway, alongside efforts to strengthen after-sales support and build consumer confidence around electric mobility.
Chau indicated that VinFast’s India strategy goes beyond the automotive business alone. The group is exploring opportunities aligned with national priorities and local requirements, including urban development, healthcare, education and renewable energy, reflecting Vingroup’s multi-sector operating model.
An MoU has already been signed with the Telangana government for localisation of batteries, which underlines the group’s emphasis on deep localisation for long-term, multi-sector cooperation.
According to Chau, the agreement reflects Vingroup’s intent to treat India as a core strategic geography rather than a peripheral growth market.
Chau said India’s scale, talent base and long-term development vision make it a natural fit for Vingroup’s global ambitions. He added that the group sees scope to grow alongside India over multiple decades, rather than pursuing near-term gains.
Execution, Chau said, is intended to reinforce intent. VinFast’s India manufacturing facility was completed within 17 months, and the company has established multiple sales points across states in a short span of time.
Looking ahead, Chau committed to continued engagement with governments, partners and the broader ecosystem as the company builds its business in the country.