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VinFast is wasting no time. The Vietnamese automaker has kickstarted operations at its first Indian manufacturing facility, located in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu. That’s not just good news for VinFast, but a bit of fresh air for an industry always on the lookout for new players.
With a production capacity of 1.5 lakh units per annum and plans to employ up to 3,500 people, VinFast has already invested Rs 4,000 crore into the plant. But the cheque book isn’t closing yet, a further Rs 16,000 crore is expected in the coming years. Yes, they are serious.
Their first move? The VF7 SUV is coming to a showroom near you this festive season.
VF7: Fresh, Sporty, and You’ll Ask, “What’s This?”
At first glance, the VF7 looks... different. Not in an alien spaceship way, but more in the sense that it doesn’t scream for attention. It’s squat, broad, and has a hint of sportiness that’s quite likeable. The signature VinFast ‘V’ logo stretches across the front, which will probably be your only clue about the carmaker’s identity.
Subtle elements, such as flush door handles and chrome accents at the rear, give it a premium feel, while maintaining a mature appearance. It’s stylish, but not trying to outdress anyone.
Minimalist with a Purpose
Inside, VinFast has kept things clean. The dashboard is uncluttered, with silver trims effectively breaking up the dual-tone theme. Storage spaces are well-thought-out, meaning you won’t have to play Tetris with your gadgets and water bottles. The boot, by the way, is a generous 537 litres — ideal for road trips and those inevitable IKEA flat-packs.
Feature highlights include a 12.9-inch touchscreen, an 8-way powered driver’s seat, ventilated front seats, a panoramic sunroof, and a head-up display. Safety is also a priority, with Level 2 ADAS, multiple airbags, a 360-degree camera, and an electronic parking brake. No cutting corners here
Numbers You’ll Respect
Under the floor sits a 70.8 kWh battery pack. You get two powertrain options. The front-wheel-drive (FWD) version comes with a single motor producing 201 bhp and 310 Nm of torque. For those who want more shove, the all-wheel-drive (AWD) version offers dual motors churning out 354 bhp and 500 Nm.
The AWD variant accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.8 seconds. Not bad for a full-size electric SUV. Fast-charging at speeds of up to 150 kW is also available. Range figures are still under wraps, but with specs like these, expectations will be high.
It All Comes Down to This
VinFast aims to assemble the VF7 locally, which should help with pricing. While the final figure is not yet available, an expected ex-showroom price of around Rs 50 lakh is what industry insiders are hinting at. This would put it squarely in competition with premium electric SUVs already present in India.
What’s Next? The VF6 is Coming Too
After the VF7, VinFast will introduce the VF6, a smaller SUV designed to take on the Hyundai Creta Electric. So, the Vietnamese brand isn’t here to just test the waters; they’re diving in headfirst.
One to Watch
The VF7 may be new to India, but it’s arriving well-prepared. With innovative design, respectable performance, and a competitive approach to pricing, VinFast’s first innings in India are going to be very interesting.
