Latest news with #VinFastAsia
Time of India
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
VinFast partners with Global Assure to strengthen customer support ahead of India launch
Vietnamese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer VinFast on Tuesday announced a strategic partnership with Global Assure to enhance its customer service network across India, as the company prepares to launch its premium electric SUVs—the VF 6 and VF 7 —later this year. Under the agreement, Global Assure will provide a suite of critical customer services, including a 24x7 call centre, nationwide roadside assistance (RSA), mobile charging solutions, and on-demand service operations. The partnership is aimed at delivering seamless and reliable post-sales support to VinFast customers across the country. "As VinFast gears up to launch the VF 6 and VF 7 in India, this partnership underscores our commitment to providing prompt, dependable, and customer-centric support nationwide," said Pham Sanh Chau, CEO of VinFast Asia. The EV maker is targeting a market entry ahead of the upcoming festive season. Global Assure, known for its deep expertise in vehicle support services and strong nationwide presence, will play a key role in ensuring efficient and high-quality service for VinFast customers. 'Our understanding of Indian consumer expectations and our pan-India operational network will ensure timely and effective support,' said Manish Vijay, Co-founder and CEO of Global Assure. VinFast has committed an investment of USD 500 million to establish a manufacturing facility in Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu. The plant is expected to be operational by early H2 2025 and will play a central role in the company's ambition to produce up to 1.5 lakh EVs annually. Apart from catering to domestic demand, the company also plans to export vehicles to the Middle East and Africa from its Indian base. VinFast's entry is expected to intensify competition in India's rapidly growing electric vehicle segment, especially in the premium mid-size SUV space.
Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
VinFast partners with Global Assure for roadside assistance, customer support, mobile charging in India
The VinFast VF7 and VF6 will be the first launches from the brand in India and slated to arrive at customer homes by September this year Notify me Vietnamese carmaker VinFast has announced its partnership with Global Assure to strengthen its customer service network in India. Global Assure will provide comprehensive assistance to VinFast vehicle owners, including 24x7 online customer support with a dedicated call centre, nationwide roadside assistance, mobile charging solutions, and mobile service operations for breakdowns and basic repairs. VinFast After-Sales Service In India VinFast says Global Assure is one of the most trusted service providers in the Indian auto sector, and the collaboration promises a seamless after-sales service experience for vehicle owners. The automaker will be entering India later this year with the VinFast VF7 and VF6 electric SUVs. Bookings are slated to begin in July, while deliveries are likely to begin around September this year. Also Read : Vinfast's India strategy detailed - What does the Vietnamese carmaker have in store? (L-R) Pham Sanh Chau, CEO - VinFast Asia with Manish Vij, Co-founder & CEO, Global Assure, which will provide customer support to VinFast vehicle owners in India Commenting on the collaboration, Pham Sanh Chau, CEO - VinFast Asia, said, As VinFast is gearing up to launch its premium electric SUVs - the VF 7 and VF 6 in India market, this partnership underlines the brand's commitment to ensure prompt, dependable, and customer-focused support across the country. Global Assure's strong capabilities and nationwide reach are well aligned with our commitment to quality, convenience, and care. Together, we aim to establish a holistic and reliable electric mobility ecosystem in India that extends beyond our vehicles to offer true peace of mind for our customers." Speaking about the partnership, Manish Vij, Co-founder & CEO, Global Assure, said, 'We are excited to be the trusted partner of VinFast's customer support in India. With Global Assure's extensive expertise in deep understanding of Indian customer needs and pan-India presence, VinFast customers can expect efficient response times and high-quality service making every journey smoother, safer, and more reassuring for VinFast owners." Also Read : VinFast VF7 First Drive Impressions: Can this XEV 9e rival disrupt the segment? Watch: VinFast VF7 First Look Vietnamese e-SUV all set for India Launch VinFast India Plans VinFast is all set to enter the Indian market later this year. The company will open order books for the VF7 and VF6 electric SUVs from July onwards. The models will be locally assembled at the automaker's upcoming plant in Tamil Nadu, which will have an initial capacity of 50,000 units. Both the VF7 and VF6 will enter highly competitive segments with the former taking on the Mahindra XEV 9e and BYD Atto 3, while the latter will take on the Hyundai Creta Electric, Tata Curvv EV, MG ZS EV and the like. VinFast is expected to announce the prices, sales, and distribution strategy in the coming weeks. Check out Upcoming EV Cars in India. First Published Date: 17 Jun 2025, 19:01 PM IST
Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
VinFast's India strategy detailed - What does the Vietnamese carmaker has in store?
VinFast is eyeing the promising electric vehicle segment in India. Here's how it plans to enter with an EV offensive Notify me Vietnamese carmaker VinFast has set its sight on India as its next big market. The EV maker made its presence felt at the 2025 Bharat Mobility Global Expo in January, and is now raring to go live with the VF7 and VF6 electric SUVs soon. But what is VinFast's long-term plan for India? We decode the brand's strategy. Premium Positioning VinFast is eyeing the promising electric vehicle segment in India, which will offer rampant growth in the coming year, and the brand is opting for a top-down approach. The VinFast VF7 will be its maiden offering, an electric SUV over 4.5 metres long and rich on tech, and likely to be priced between ₹ 30-35 lakh (ex-showroom). As Pham Sanh Chau, CEO - VinFast Asia, revealed, the VF7 will act as a brand builder, followed by the VF6 - a Creta-sized e-SUV, also coming later this year. The brand also has the VinFast VF3, its microcar, planned for India, to compete against the MG Comet EV. Also Read : VinFast VF7 First Drive Impressions: Can this XEV 9e rival disrupt the segment? The VF7 Plus AWD variant gets dual motors churning out 349 bhp and 500 Nm with 0-100 kmph coming up in 5.8 seconds The VinFast VF7 is the more powerful offering with the dual-motor AWD option, churning out 349 bhp and 500 Nm. The more modest single electric motor variant with 201 bhp and 310 Nm will also make it to India. Notably, the latter also powers the VF6, which will be available in a single configuration. Both electric SUVs share the same underpinnings and have a near-identical feature list, save for the extra bits on the VF7. VinFast says it has 'Indianised' its vehicles by adding key changes like vegan leather upholstery, 1-litre bottle holders, and a cover over the fixed glass roof, which otherwise does not a motorised covering in Vietnam. Both the VinFast VF7 and VF6 are slated to arrive by the festive season. Bookings are scheduled to open in July, followed by deliveries around September. Built in Vietnam, Make in India Before starting its product offensive, VinFast is in the process of building its manufacturing facility in Tamil Nadu. The automaker broke ground at the Thoothukudi in February last year, and is on track to open its plant in the coming weeks. The plant, VinFast tells us, will have an initial capacity of 50,000 units, expandable to 150,000 units once fully ready. The 400-acre facility will provide jobs for about 3,500 people directly and indirectly, while also building its supplier base. The first set of models will be locally assembled at the India plant, and the brand will look at increasing localisation in the future, allowing more competitive pricing. VinFast's Haiphong facility is its global production hub, but India will play a key role in addressing local market demand with plans to increase localisation in the future VinFast's global manufacturing hub is in Vietnam, and the new India plant will help address local market and possibly export needs in the future. VinFast says it already has a healthy supplier base in India, which exports components to Vietnam. In fact, the automaker has employed about 700-800 engineers in Tamil Nadu and Pune. VinFast says the bigger talent pool in Tamil Nadu was one of the major reasons for its selection of the state for its plant. The automaker is also looking at a long-term commitment with about $2 billion earmarked for the Indian market. Charging Infrastructure, Lease & Buyback EV sales are just the first steps for VinFast in India. The company says it plans to build an entire ecosystem around its vehicles, right from a dedicated charging network to leasing and buyback programs. For perspective, the carmaker dominates the EV charging grid in its home market with dedicated charging stations across the country. It also has an EV cab service operating in VinFast with its vehicles. Pham Sanh Chau has confirmed that plans to bring the complete VinFast ecosystem to India, including the EV cab service, as well as the charging infrastructure. That said, the brand is likely to collaborate with existing charging infra players in India, initially, to get the momentum going. VinFast is now looking to setup its dealer network in the country. While the automaker has not given a number on the dealerships it plans to start with, the brand says it will have a healthy mix between Tier I and Tier II markets. The company also plans to have authorised third-party repair shops for a higher ease of repair, as part of its long-term commitment to India. Watch: VinFast VF7 First Look Vietnamese e-SUV all set for India Launch VinGroup eyes the Indian Market VinFast's arrival in India is only the gateway for the larger VinGroup to establish its presence here. The company says it's committed to the India growth story with schools, universities, resorts, and townships planned. The first 'Vin School' is being considered in Tamil Nadu. On the automotive front, VinGroup is also looking to bring its electric scooters and electric buses to India at a later date. The company says it's been approached by local governments to build buses for them. That said, there is no direct timeline on these models at the moment. Instead, the brand is looking to gain a foothold in the country's highly competitive passenger vehicle market first. The first products will bear the litmus test to its larger strategy. Check out Upcoming EV Cars in India. First Published Date: 17 Jun 2025, 10:17 AM IST
The Hindu
07-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Hindu
Vietnamese automaker VinFast bets big on India's fledgling EV market
VinFast, the first automaker from Vietnam to expand into the global market, is set to make inroads into the Indian EV space with production at its plant in Tamil Nadu's Thoothukudi district set to begin in July. The Vietnamese car brand, which currently sells its products in 16 countries across North America, Europe and Asia, will manufacture the VF7 and VF6 models in Thoothukudi, for which bookings will open in June. Company sources said the production capacity will be 50,000 vehicles per year initially, with the potential to reach 1,50,000 to meet future demand. 'India is a promising and growing market. EV adoption is comparatively low; so, we decided to take this opportunity to enter the market,' VinFast Asia CEO Pham Sanh Chau said. Mr. Chau said VinFast wanted to position itself as a manufacturer of premium EVs with competitive pricing and excellent after-sales service. When asked about its USP, Mr. Chau said, 'We don't want to just sell cars. We want to bring in the whole EV ecosystem.' He said VinFast would build a network of dealers/showrooms, authorised repair shops and charging points; promote green mobility; and facilitate buy-back or swapping of old cars with newer models. Stressing the importance of localisation, he said it helped companies bring down cost, secure government incentives, and be more competitive. VinFast was committed to localisation, he said, adding that it was already sourcing some products from Indian suppliers. Dismissing the notion that EVs were too expensive for the common man, he said it may be the case with some brands, but not all. Mr. Chau said the switch from internal combustion engine (ICE) cars to EVs was irreversible. 'I believe that one day, we all will be using EVs, and all gas stations will be turned into charging points. The future of EVs is bright,' he said. Mr. Chau, who previously served as Ambassador of Vietnam to India, was optimistic about the development of ties between the two countries. 'It [bilateral trade] has reached $15 billion. I hope it will grow to $20 billion,' he said. 'Our activities and investments in India will deepen the economic ties between the two countries. We are bringing the largest investment from Vietnam into India now,' he added. Quoting former Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Van Dong, who said the relationship between India and Vietnam was 'as clear as the blue sky without any clouds', Mr. Chau said cooperation between the two countries will continue irrespective of geopolitical challenges. (The writer was in Hanoi on the invitation of VinFast.)
The Hindu
02-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Hindu
‘Ideal location, talent pool and govt. support drove VinFast's decision to set up plant in T.N.'
Thoothukudi's strategic location, Tamil Nadu's talent pool, and government support were the key factors behind VinFast's decision to set up its manufacturing plant in the State, VinFast Asia CEO Pham Sanh Chau said. The Vietnamese carmaker is set to begin the production of its VF7 and VF6 models at the Thoothukudi plant in July, while bookings will open in June. During the Global Investors Meet in Chennai last year, VinFast inked an MoU with the Tamil Nadu government for an investment of ₹16,000 crore in multiple phases for manufacturing EVs in Thoothukudi. Speaking to The Hindu in Hanoi recently, Mr. Chau said, 'We visited six States and inspected 15 locations before we decided to select Thoothukudi. Since we want to serve not only the domestic market, but also the external market, we need to be located very close to a seaport and an airport. Thoothukudi satisfies these requirements.' Mr. Chau said Tamil Nadu had an impressive pool of talent. VinFast Vietnam employed a large number of Indian engineers, the majority of whom were from Tamil Nadu, he said, adding that the State was also a hub for suppliers. 'The government of Tamil Nadu has been extremely helpful. Whenever we propose anything, they make the effort and satisfy our requirements. We cannot build a factory in 15 months without the kind, continuous and generous support from the government of Tamil Chief Minister M.K. Stalin himself, his Cabinet, and especially Minister for Industries T.R.B. Rajaa. So, that is why…[though] we were approached by many State governments, we made a final call to invest in Tamil Nadu,' he said. Responding to Mr. Chau's comments, Mr. Rajaa said, 'VinFast's integrated factory in Thoothukudi has laid the foundation for a new green industrial cluster in south Tamil Nadu. Along with the solar cell and green hydrogen projects, this factory will bring renewed economic vigour to the region.' According to him, the VinFast project is creating high-quality jobs for local youth through targeted upskilling under Naan Mudhalvan, while also enabling a thriving MSME ecosystem to support the EV value chain. 'This cluster approach is focused on sustainability and inclusivity. It aims to transform Thoothukudi into a next-generation manufacturing and export hub. With its proximity to the port, the region is set to become a gateway for exports,' he added. According to him, Tamil Nadu's focus remains on equitable industrial development, and VinFast's investment stands as an example of how the government is creating global opportunities across the State, ensuring distributed growth. (The writer was in Hanoi on the invitation of VinFast).
