Vietnamese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer VinFast has officially launched its first showroom in India, marking a landmark move in its retail expansion. Located in Surat, Gujarat, this flagship facility heralds VinFast’s deeper foray into the Indian EV market and paves the way for its upcoming manufacturing operations in Tamil Nadu.
Strategic Launch: Surat as the Retail Launchpad
The new outlet, named VinFast Surat, is promoted by Chandan Car, a respected automotive retail partner in India. Situated in the Piplod area, the dealership spans approximately 3,000 sq ft and functions as the brand’s first physical touchpoint in India.
This showroom offers immersive product experiences, test drives, booking support, and after-sales services. It will display two soon-to-be launched premium electric SUVs—the VF 6 and VF 7—both tailored to Indian consumers with right-hand drive configurations.
Ambitious Expansion Plan: 35 Showrooms by Year-End
As part of its India strategy, VinFast aims to roll out 35 dealerships across 27+ cities by the end of 2025. The Surat showroom serves as the first step in this aggressive expansion plan, which is designed to bring the VinFast experience closer to prospective customers nationwide.
Models & Early Bookings: VF 6 and VF 7 Rollout
VinFast opened pre-bookings for the VF 6 and VF 7 on July 15, 2025, with a fully refundable deposit of ₹ 21,000. These bookings are available via the showroom and official website. The vehicles will ultimately be locally assembled at VinFast’s upcoming factory in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu, reinforcing the firm’s long-term manufacturing commitment to India.
Infrastructure & Green Commitments
To support its growing footprint, VinFast has entered strategic partnerships with RoadGrid, myTVS, and Global Assure to establish nationwide charging infrastructure and after-sales networks. Alongside this, collaboration with clean-tech firm BatX Energies aims to develop a sustainable battery recycling and circular economy model, underlining VinFast’s green mobility mission in India.
Why This Matters for India’s EV Market
- Competitive entry: VinFast’s arrival adds to the escalating EV momentum in India, closely following Tesla’s debut.
- Local commitment: Beyond retail, VinFast is investing heavily in India’s infrastructure and manufacturing capabilities.
- Urban-focus strategy: Launching in a Tier-2 city like Surat reflects a focus on broadening EV access beyond metro markets.
What Lies Ahead
VinFast’s $2 billion Thoothukudi plant is set to be formally inaugurated in early August and will kickstart assembly operations. Initial production capacity is projected at 50,000 units annually, scalable up to 150,000. India is also its first right-hand drive market deployment for VF 6 and VF 7 models.
With its retail network build-out and infrastructure alliances underway, VinFast aims not only to sell vehicles but to establish a comprehensive EV ownership ecosystem across India.
Final Take: A Bold Entry & Growth Opportunity
VinFast’s showroom debut in Surat signals a calculated entry into India’s fast-growing electric mobility segment. By combining local showrooms, partnerships for charging and service networks, and upcoming domestic assembly, VinFast is positioning itself as a credible player in India’s EV future.
Photo Source: Business Standard
