Vinfast says it is working to increase localisation for its India operations and is in talks with battery makers for the same. The development comes at a time when the Vietnamese EV maker is preparing to expand its India line-up with three new electric models in 2026, starting with a 7-seat MPV, likely the Limo Green. Vinfast has also said it plans to double its dealership count this year.
- Vinfast began sales in India in September 2025
- It has sold over 1,000 EVs so far in the country
- To expand Thoothukudi plant to make buses and two-wheelers
Vinfast aims to raise localisation to 40 percent
Local cells could increase localisation sharply, says Vinfast
Vinfast says it is in talks with multiple battery makers in India, including the Tata-Gotion joint venture, as it looks to localise battery supply for its vehicles. Vinfast Asia CEO Pham Sanh Chau said localisation is a key focus for the brand in India. He added that since Vinfast did not join the FAME scheme, it did not commit to a specific localisation level but is still working to increase local sourcing.
“At the moment, our localisation is around 15 percent; we need to reach 40 percent soon. Once we have batteries, localisation will increase tremendously. We are trying to tie up with a local battery manufacturer,” Chau said.
Vinfast has not announced a supplier yet, but it said that discussions are underway with multiple cell manufacturers in India.
Three new products lined up for 2026
Limo Green MPV expected to arrive first
Vinfast India CEO Tapan Ghosh has said the company plans to introduce three new models in India in 2026. “We will begin with launching a 7-seater MPV.”
The MPV is expected to be the Limo Green three-row electric model, which is likely to launch in February 2026. It will rival the BYD eMax 7 and is estimated to be priced at Rs 22 lakh to Rs 26 lakh. Vinfast is also expected to bring the VF3 micro EV in 2026. The model is likely to be positioned as a direct rival to the MG Comet, with an estimated price of Rs 8 lakh to Rs 10 lakh.
Vinfast is also said to be considering the VF5 for India. The VF5 is a sub-4m electric hatchback that sits between the VF3 and VF6 in the brand’s global line-up. If introduced here, it is expected to be priced around Rs 10 lakh to Rs 12 lakh and could take on the Tata Tiago EV and Punch EV, depending on the version brought in.
The new launches will build on Vinfast’s current India line-up of the VF6 and VF7, which went on sale here in September 2025. Vinfast has also said it plans to expand its retail footprint and double its dealership network to 70 outlets in 2026.
Manufacturing expansion and wider plans
Thoothukudi plant to support new segments
Vinfast had announced plans to invest up to USD 2 billion (around Rs 16,000 crore) in India, of which USD 500 million was for its electric car plant at Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu. Recently, the automaker announced the expansion of the plant to manufacture electric buses and two-wheelers.
Both the VF6 and VF7 are currently assembled at the Thoothukudi facility, and Vinfast says localisation and domestic manufacturing remain central to its India strategy as it scales up its product line-up.
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