VinFast Lays Foundation Of Its First Manufacturing Facility In India

VinFast, the Vietnamese automaker, has officially stepped into India and has laid the foundation of its first electric vehicle manufacturing facility in the country. This facility will span 400 acres in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu and VinFast says this facility should help employ around 3,500 local workers. 

The new facility will sit within the State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu (SIPCOT) industrial estate. VinFast says it will start with an investment of $500 million (roughly ₹4,143 crore) over the next five years and projects to churn out 150,000 vehicles annually. As of now, VinFast has not confirmed if it will be assembling or manufacturing vehicles at the facility, but expect the marque to initially only assemble completely knocked down (CKD) kits from Vietnam. 

VinFast is also planning to set up another manufacturing facility in Tamil Nadu but this other unit will be for manufacturing batteries. 

In addition to this new manufacturing facility, VinFast says it has plans to develop a nationwide dealership network. This will help VinFast build its brand in India as not many know about it. VinFast also claims it will price its products competitively and offer good after-sales service to “make electric mobility widely accessible”. 

Pham Sanh Chau, CEO of VinFast India, said, “By establishing an integrated electric vehicle facility, the company's commitment to job creation, green transportation, and strategic partnerships solidifies VinFast’s position as a major player in the electric vehicle industry.” 

Dr. T. R. B. Rajaa, Minister for Industries, Government of Tamil Nadu, said, “Tamil Nadu will match VinFast’s ambitious growth plans in the country and is committed to making zero-emission mobility widely accessible. We believe the project will substantially contribute to the local economic advancement, job creation, and technical skill development of the people of Tamil Nadu.”