VinFast plans India specific EVs and expands Tamil Nadu plant

VinFast is preparing to develop electric vehicles specifically for the Indian market as the Vietnamese automaker looks to deepen its manufacturing and sourcing footprint in the country. The company has also received investment approval for the second phase of its manufacturing facility in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu.

India-specific EV development

VinFast says it intends to design, develop and manufacture future electric vehicles specifically for India. The company is also targeting significantly greater localisation for these products as it expands its presence in the country.

The move is aimed at making future VinFast models more closely suited to Indian buyers while increasing the amount of locally sourced content. The company has already been studying Indian market preferences as part of its product planning.

VF6 and VF7 production plans

VinFast's current Indian electric SUV range includes the VF6 and VF7. The company says its existing production approach will continue unchanged even as it works towards more India-focused vehicles.

This means the current models and future India-specific products are being planned around different levels of localisation. The newer vehicles are expected to use more locally sourced components as VinFast builds up its Indian supply base.

Building an Indian supplier base

VinFast is also working to increase sourcing from Indian suppliers as part of its wider manufacturing expansion.

• Organising supplier events in India and Vietnam
• Identifying opportunities to source more components locally
• Building greater dependence on domestic suppliers
• Working with government agencies on EV manufacturing policies

The company has received investment approval for Phase 2 of its Thoothukudi facility, giving it scope to expand its manufacturing presence in Tamil Nadu. However, details of the scale of this expansion have not been provided.

For buyers considering a VinFast EV this month, the bigger takeaway is that the company's India strategy is moving beyond local assembly towards vehicles developed with the Indian market and greater localisation in mind.

Are you considering a VinFast electric vehicle or waiting for its upcoming India-specific models?