Vietnam’s Vingroup eyes broader India presence after $2 bn Tamil Nadu EV plant; in talks with Telangana, Andhra Pradesh
New Delhi: Vietnamese conglomerate Vingroup, which is currently setting up a $2-billion electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing facility in Tamil Nadu’s Thoothukudi, is now in discussions with the governments of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh to expand its footprint in India, according to a PTI report.
VinFast, the EV arm of Vingroup, plans to launch its VF7 and VF6 models in the Indian market ahead of the upcoming festival season. This will mark the company’s formal entry into the country, which it considers a key market in its global expansion strategy.
“We visited several states and inspected multiple locations... before finally zeroing in on Thoothukudi in Tamil Nadu because of the logistical advantages it offers... with a port and airport nearby,” said Pham Sanh Chau, VinFast Asia CEO, in an interview with PTI.
While Tamil Nadu was ultimately chosen for the initial investment due to its infrastructure and support, Chau confirmed that conversations are ongoing with other states.
“Yes, we are in talks with other states as well. Our group sees India as a key market, and we could have a bigger presence there,” he said, pointing to ongoing negotiations with Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
The company said that with electric vehicle adoption gaining pace in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, VinFast intends to establish a strategic brand presence and expand its dealership network across India based on regional market potential.
Chau credited the support received from both the central government and the Tamil Nadu state government for enabling a swift launch.
“Talks progressed well, enabling us to enter the country with the plant in Thoothukudi, where work progressed very fast over the past 15 months,” he noted.
The VinFast executive, who earlier served as Vietnam’s ambassador to India for five years, also emphasised the long-standing ties between the two nations, referencing leaders like Ho Chi Minh and Mahatma Gandhi.
He said, “These apart, the current investment environment in India is very attractive and we knew it was the right time to enter the country.”
Outside India, Vingroup has already made significant inroads in Southeast Asia, with operations in Indonesia and the Philippines. It has also entered the US EV market.
Established in 1993, Vingroup has grown into Vietnam’s largest private multi-sector corporation and one of the region’s most prominent economic players.
Through VinFast, it has a strong presence in industrials and technology, while its real estate and hospitality interests are managed via Vinhomes and Vinpearl.
The group also runs social enterprise initiatives in healthcare (Vinmec), education (Vinschool and VinUniversity), and scientific innovation (VinFuture), allocating substantial annual funding to philanthropic activities.
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