Vinfast, the Vietnamese electric vehicle manufacturer, is reportedly gearing up to make its mark in the Indian market. According to a recent report, the company is actively considering the acquisition of Ford’s Chennai factory as a strategic move to establish its presence in the country. Vinfast has already initiated local recruitment efforts, and while it is progressing rapidly, the exact timeline for its operations, initially via the Completely Built-Up (CBU) route and later transitioning to local assembly using Completely Knocked Down (CKD) kits, remains uncertain.
Vinfast has ambitious plans for India, aiming for a facility with the capacity to produce a minimum of 1 lakh units. The company is exploring multiple locations in Gujarat and Tamil Nadu for this purpose. In the initial phase, Vinfast intends to concentrate on the upper segments of the market, with a strong focus on the core B segment for future volume expansion. These plans extend beyond serving the domestic market, as India is envisioned as a strategic base for exports to right-hand drive markets in the latter half of the decade.
Interestingly, the Vinfast VF8 electric SUV has already been spotted undergoing testing in India. Designed by Pininfarina, it’s one of the flagship models in the company’s existing product portfolio. This electric SUV boasts a dual-motor setup, delivering a combined power output of 397bhp and 620Nm of torque. Its battery is claimed to offer an impressive range of 471km, as per the WLTP cycle.
The VF8 comes equipped with a range of notable features, including a 15.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a colored Heads-Up Display (HUD), an 8-speaker audio system, smartphone mirroring, heated multi-adjustable front seats (8-way power driver seat and 6-way power front passenger seat), a 60:40 folding bench front-facing manual reclining fold-forward rear seatback, a heated leather steering wheel, all four disc brakes, ABS and driveline traction control, ESC and roll stability control, traffic jam assist with automated lane-changing assist, blind spot detection, dual LED headlamps with combined LED DRLs and turn indicators, and wraparound LED taillamps with the signature ‘V’ badge in the center, among others.
Additionally, reports suggest that Vinfast Auto plans to introduce the VF6 and VF7 electric SUVs in India, potentially assembling these models locally. In terms of the company’s future plans, Vinfast recently announced its intention to establish its second electric facility in the United States, following its original plant in Vietnam. This new plant will produce the all-new VF6 and VF7 SUVs, targeting the North American market starting in 2025.
