Vinfast To Start Production In Tuticorin Plant Soon: Details
The Vietnamese carmaker Vinfast is set to enter the highly competitive Indian market with a bunch of interesting products. The VF3 hatchback along with its larger siblings, was showcased at the Bharat Mobility Expo 2025. We now have more information about Vinfast's India plans.
The VF6 and VF7 electric SUVs will be the first products to reach the Indian shores. These will launch sometime this year. Vinfast has been building a new plant in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu. This facility is now nearing completion and is expected to go operational soon. It will then mark the milestone of getting an automotive plant operational in just 15 months.
Vinfast is known to be mulling over importing its products as Completely Built Units (CBUs) at first, and making a gradual shift to local assembly. The Tuticorin plant will be used for assembling the kits. CBU imports are likely to go on till the brand establishes an identity of its own in the Indian market. This would make much financial sense in the long run.
The carmaker's Thoothukudi factory is located inside the SIPCOT industrial park in Sillaanaththam. In the future, it will also be utilised for export manufacturing. Proximity to the Tuticorin port was one of the biggest reasons that made Vinfast invest in this facility. The plant reportedly has an annual production capacity of 1.5 lakh units. Vinfast's entry into the US market wasn't smooth. Nevertheless, it now has the third highest EV market capitalisation in the world- after Toyota and Tesla.
Vinfast also has plans of setting up a dedicated supplier's park in Thoothukkudi close to its plant. It thus hopes to contribute to building India's EV manufacturer ecosystem. Tamil Nadu has already bagged the title of being India's EV manufacturing hub, as many electric vehicle majors have invested heavily in the state. In fact, over 40% of total planned investments here, are in the EV sector!
More About The Vinfast VF6 And VF7
The VF7 is a five-seater electric SUV that would impress you with the way it looks. It spans 4,545mm in length, and has a spaceous cabin. The lights at the front and at the rear feature VinFast’s signature V motif. The VF7 will be available in two variants- Eco (FWD) and Plus (AWD). Both will be powered by a 75.3kWh battery pack. The vehicle will come with a single-motor setup that is capable of generating 204hp and 310Nm. A dual-motor version is available in global markets, with a net powertrain output of 354hp and 500Nm. It remains to be seen if the carmaker will bring this to India.
The VF7 Plus has a claimed WLTP range of 431km per charge. The Eco variant will likely deliver 450km per charge. In design, the V7 Plus gets larger 20-21-inch wheels while the Eco features 19-inch units. Even the touchscreen sizes could differ.
The VF6, if launched, will sit below the VF7 in Vinfast's lineup. At 4,238mm, it is slightly smaller than the VF7. The VF6, as per reports, will also be available in two variants- Eco and Plus. It features a swoopy design and looks striking. It rides on 17-inch wheels and headlamp and fog lamp units sit low, near the bumper.
The VF6 could come with a 59.6kWh battery pack and a front axle-mounted electric motor. Its powertrain will be capable of producing 204hp and 310Nm on the Plus variant and 178hp and 250Nm on the 'Eco'. Vinfast claims a range of 381km on the Plus variant and 399km on the Eco variant. In equipment, the VF6 could offer Level 2 ADAS, a 12.9-inch touchscreen, and support for over-the-air (OTA) updates.
More About Vinfast's India Plans
The Vietnamese carmaker has showcased several products at the Auto Expo this year. Particularly striking among them was the VF3 electric hatchback. Another notable product was the VF5 electric hatchback, which if launched in India, could compete with the Nexon EV. Vinfast has now clarified that both these vehicle will not be brought to India this year. However, as apart of their product expansion in India, there is a possibility that Vinfast might consider bringing these models in the coming years.