3,000 Units, 8 Dealers—VinFast’s India Entry Gets a Reality Check

Image Source: The Economic Times

Vietnamese automaker VinFast has pulled back on its India market entry plan, cutting its firstyear sales target by a third to 3,000 units and postponing the launch dates for its VF6 and VF7 electric SUVs to midAugust. This comes after dealer withdrawals, network gaps, and leadership changes.

Key Highlights:

Delay in Production: VinFast Thoothukudi factory in Tamil Nadu has been pushed back from June 30 to July 30, and bookings are thus likely to be opened in midJuly.
Reduction in Sales Target: The company has lowered its initial sales target from 4,500 to 3,000 units because of an underdeveloped distribution channel.
Dealer Pullback: Of the 40 dealers who signed up originally after the Bharat Mobility Expo, only 8–10 are standing. They mostly withdrew due to unclear pricing, fluctuating planning, and lackluster brand activation.
Leadership Exit: Network development head Ashish Jain has resigned, reports indicate, adding to questions regarding implementation of the rollout.
Product Lineup: The VF6 and VF7 will lead the launch, followed by the VF3 micro SUV in early 2026. VinFast also aims to target CKD assembly so that they can maintain affordability.
Brand Awareness Gap: The dealers cited low public awareness and weak marketing since the January expo, which suggested demand preparedness problems.