How VinFast Plans To Dominate EV Sector: By Getting Top Hyundai Executive To Lead The Business
Vietnamese automaker VinFast has taken a major step in its India strategy by appointing Tapan Kumar Ghosh as Chief Executive Officer for its local business. Ghosh, who was National Sales Head at Hyundai Motor India, resigned on October 3, 2025, and will take charge at VinFast on October 16. The appointment signals that VinFast wants to scale quickly in one of the world’s fastest-growing electric vehicle markets.
A Hyundai Veteran At The Helm
Ghosh has over two decades of industry experience. At Hyundai, he played a central role in building the company into India’s second-largest carmaker. He helped establish dominance in compact SUVs and hatchbacks and oversaw sales revenues of more than ₹70,000 crore annually. He also chaired the SIAM Logistics Group, working on supply chain and dealer coordination across India.
For VinFast, his background is valuable. International entrants usually need years to understand Indian customer preferences and dealer networks. Ghosh already has that knowledge, which means VinFast can move faster in building a base of loyal customers.
Building A Base In Tamil Nadu
VinFast has backed its India entry with a new factory at Thoothukudi in Tamil Nadu. Built at a cost of ₹4,000 crore, the 400-acre plant has an initial capacity of 50,000 cars a year, scalable to 150,000.
The plant is producing two models: the VF 6, a compact SUV starting at ₹16.49 lakh, and the VF 7, a mid-size SUV priced from ₹20.89 lakh. These are aimed squarely at the volume EV segments. Tamil Nadu was chosen because of its automotive ecosystem, skilled workforce, and port access, which also make it an export base for South Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.
Products And Infrastructure Strategy
The VF 6 offers a range of up to 468 km while the VF 7 stretches to 532 km depending on variant. Both target mainstream buyers seeking practical EVs in the ₹15–25 lakh range. VinFast has said it plans to launch new models every six months and is also working on electric buses and two-wheelers for right-hand drive markets.
To support adoption, VinFast plans to roll out 15,000 charging stations across India. Its parent company VinGroup may also bring other businesses to India, from renewable energy to smart cities, giving the brand wider financial and infrastructure backing.
The EV Competitive Landscape
VinFast’s SUVs will compete in a crowded field. Tata has built a full portfolio — the Tiago EV and Tigor EV at the entry level, the Nexon EV in the compact SUV slot, and the Curvv EV and Harrier EV higher up. Both the Curvv EV, launched in late 2024, and the Harrier EV, launched in June 2025, sit directly in the same ₹16–25 lakh bracket as the VF 6 and VF 7.
Mahindra already has the BE6 and XEV 9e on sale, while MG offers both the ZS EV and the Windsor in this segment. Together, Tata, Mahindra, and MG already cover much of the ground VinFast is entering, with dealer networks and service setups in place. Tesla and BYD remain positioned higher up the price scale, leaving VinFast to battle the established trio where volumes are growing fastest.
VinFast has committed ₹16,000 crore to India in phases, covering plant expansion, dealer growth, and product development. But investment alone is not enough. The company will have to prove it can deliver cars on time, maintain quality, and build customer trust in a competitive environment.
This is where Ghosh’s experience will matter most. His understanding of regional buying patterns, dealer training, and policy engagement gives VinFast a head start. Whether that translates into long-term success will depend on how well the company executes in the crowded ₹15–25 lakh EV space.