VinFast officially launches in Thailand.

On March 26th, VinFast officially launched in Thailand by participating in the 45th Bangkok International Motor Show (BIMS 2024). Identifying its debut at one of Southeast Asia's largest auto shows, especially in Thailand, a highly competitive automotive market, VinFast confidently showcased its entire lineup of electric vehicles at this exhibition.

VinFast's booth attracted significant attention from Thai media on its opening day. Located in the center of BIMS 2024, VinFast's booth garnered considerable attention from Thai automotive media. This was partly due to the relatively new name compared to established car manufacturers with decades of history in Thailand, but also because the entire lineup of VinFast vehicles showcased at BIMS 2024 consisted of electric vehicles. VinFast affirmed its focus on introducing a complete range of electric vehicles at BIMS 2024. Speaking at the VinFast launch event, Mr. Temmy Wiradjaja, representative of VinFast's Asia regional distributor network development, stated that VinFast's theme at BIMS 2024 was "Stimulate Your Senses," reflecting VinFast's passion for creating unforgettable driving experiences. VinFast believes that electric transportation will be an inspiring experience for your journey of discovery, allowing you to travel freely, connect with nature, and see the world in a whole new way. In the future, VinFast will evaluate investments in developing a network of charging stations for VinFast vehicles in Thailand to support local customers.

Mr. Temmy Wiradjaja announced that VinFast's theme at BIMS 2024 is "Stimulate your senses" before the company's flagship electric pickup truck was unveiled at the exhibition.

Thailand boasts a vibrant automotive market, and its electric vehicle market leads the region, developing at a very rapid pace. VinFast believes its electric vehicles, with their perfect combination of sustainability, affordability, and superior quality, will resonate deeply with Thai consumers. According to VinFast representatives, at this exhibition, VinFast will introduce a diverse range of green mobility solutions to the leading electric vehicle market in Southeast Asia, including electric cars, the VF Wild concept electric pickup truck, and electric motorcycles. The Vietnamese electric vehicle manufacturer will also offer the best after-sales service in the market, affirming its strong commitment to expansion in Thailand. The green, modern, and smart mobility solutions that VinFast will bring to BIMS 2024 include the VF 3 mini-SUV; The VF 5, VF e34, VF 6, VF 7, VF 8, and VF 9 belong to the A-SUV to E-SUV segment; and the VF Wild, a concept electric pickup truck that attracted worldwide attention when it debuted at CES 2024. Of these, the VF 5, VF e34, VF 6, VF 7, VF 8, and VF 9 are all left-hand drive versions, suitable for the Thai market. In addition, VinFast also displayed its entire range of electric motorcycles, from entry-level to high-end, including the Evo200 and Evo200 Lite, Feliz S, Klara S, Vento S, and Theon S. Two eye-catching models impressed automotive experts . At the exhibition, many Thai reporters noted that most of VinFast's electric vehicle models were very trendy and sleek. Two models stood out: the VF 3 mini-SUV, which was particularly striking due to its compact size, unique design, and impressive features, likely to suit the trend of using small vehicles for convenient transportation in Bangkok; and the VF Wild pickup truck, which attracted attention for a different reason. Thailand was once considered a pickup truck assembly hub, and its people favored this type of vehicle so much that there are even songs about pickup trucks. This is the type of vehicle that almost every family in rural Thailand owns due to its practicality; besides carrying goods, it can also carry passengers, as permitted by Thai law.

VinFast's VF Wild concept electric pickup truck at BIMS 2024.

This model has an overall length of 209 inches (5,324 mm) and a width of 79 inches (1,997 mm), meaning it's larger than typical pickup trucks in Thailand. A key feature is the expandable cargo area, which can be flexibly expanded by folding down the windshield and rear seats, increasing the maximum cargo length to 2.438 meters. Furthermore, the VF Wild boasts a relatively robust exterior, adding a distinctive touch to the pickup truck segment. At the launch event, Mr. Nithi Thuamprathom, a renowned automotive expert from Auto Life Thailand, expressed his admiration for VinFast's culturally rich presentation and predicted that Thai consumers would eagerly embrace VinFast vehicles. He believes VinFast will have a good market share in Thailand. Analyzing the situation for us, Mr. Nithi Thuamprathom stated that fierce competition is inevitable in the near future. Electric SUVs and other electric vehicles in Thailand have already been approached by many Chinese and Japanese manufacturers. The important thing is how VinFast builds its image in the future, determining its position in the market segment and at what level it will compete with other brands. Mr. Nithi Thuamprathom also stated that quality and price are crucial factors in Thai consumer choice and whether a company can survive in Thailand. However, he expressed hope that Thai consumers will continue to readily accept Vietnamese products, especially since Vietnam is a neighboring country of Thailand.

Renowned Thai automotive expert Nithi Thuamprathom expressed his admiration for VinFast's car models.

Expert Nithi Thuamprathom also revealed to us his eagerness to test drive and experience VinFast's models. When asked about his impressions of VinFast's seven electric vehicle models, Mr. Nithi Thuamprathom said he really liked the VF 3 mini-SUV and was particularly interested in the VF Wild pickup truck, as he needed to consider the future development trends of electric pickup trucks in Thailand. With a touch of admiration in his voice, automotive expert Nithi Thuamprathom shared, "The car has a truly luxurious design; it's formidable (for its competitors)." The Vietnamese Embassy affirms its support for the enterprise. In an interview with a reporter from Nhan Dan Newspaper based in Thailand, Ms. Bui Thi Hue, Chargé d'affaires ad interim of the Vietnamese Embassy in Thailand, said she was very pleased and proud that VinFast's first automobile product had launched in the Thai market. It is hoped that the Thai people will welcome VinFast's electric vehicles as well as other Vietnamese products. Ms. Bui Thi Hue affirmed that economic diplomacy is a key task in foreign affairs activities and the Vietnamese Embassy in Thailand will provide the highest level of support to businesses, including VinFast, in introducing its products to the Thai market.

Chargé d'affaires ad interim Bui Thi Hue affirmed the support of the Vietnamese Embassy in Thailand for Vietnamese businesses.

Speaking to a reporter from Nhan Dan Newspaper based in Thailand, Mr. Le Huu Phuc, Commercial Counselor of the Vietnamese Trade Office in Thailand, assessed BIMS 2024 as a highly prestigious exhibition. Therefore, VinFast's first participation in this exhibition demonstrates a significant step forward for VinFast in particular and the Vietnamese industry in general. Last year, electric vehicle sales in Thailand increased by 23%, indicating a very promising market. Regarding the question of what incentives VinFast will be able to take advantage of in Thailand's electric vehicle development policies, Mr. Le Huu Phuc stated that the Thai government currently has many preferential policies in place, focusing on encouraging domestic production and electric vehicle consumption. Electric vehicles may receive subsidies up to the consumer price, approximately 50,000 baht per vehicle in 2024. Of course, this preferential treatment is conditional. VinFast is conducting in-depth research into its ability to meet the requirements of the Thai government as well as to implement production in Thailand.

Mr. Le Huu Phuc, Commercial Counselor of the Vietnamese Trade Office in Thailand, believes that VinFast's launch in Thailand demonstrates a new step forward for Vietnam's industrial sector.

VinFast affirms its strong after-sales service in the Thai market. A VinFast representative at the exhibition stated that they will implement an excellent after-sales policy, unprecedented in Southeast Asia's leading automotive market. VinFast's electric vehicles will have a warranty of 7-10 years or 160,000-200,000 km for the powertrain (whichever comes first); and 8-10 years with unlimited mileage for the battery. Thus, VinFast offers the longest warranty period for mainstream car models in the Thai market. VinFast's business philosophy of "Putting the customer first" is further demonstrated through its extensive dealer network and superior services and support terms compared to the general practices of the Thai market. Furthermore, VinFast is committed to continuous innovation to provide flexible sales policies, notably its unique battery leasing policy, creating a secure experience and maximum satisfaction throughout the usage period for Thai customers. Ms. Vu Dang Yen Hang, General Director of VinFast Thailand, shared: “VinFast is proud to bring smart, innovative, and environmentally friendly vehicles to BIMS 2024. Our diverse product range and superior quality affirm VinFast's leading position in the regional and global electric vehicle market. With outstanding after-sales service, we will bring exciting electrification experiences, committed to accompanying Thai consumers in the green transportation revolution.” Thailand is a leading electric vehicle market in Southeast Asia with a rapidly increasing demand for switching from gasoline to electric vehicles. With a commitment to global expansion, VinFast aims to contribute to establishing new standards for green mobility experiences for Thai customers, working towards building a sustainable transportation future for everyone, making green and environmentally friendly mobility easily accessible to the public. In the Vietnamese market, VinFast has already gained a reputation for having excellent after-sales service compared to the general market. In Thailand, Thai automotive expert Nithi Thuamprathom affirmed that if VinFast implements and maintains the after-sales policy announced by Mr. Temmy Wiradjaja, including the signing of "letters of intent" with 15 dealerships across Thailand and the evaluation of investments in developing a network of charging stations for VinFast vehicles in Thailand to support local customers, it will create a very good impetus for VinFast's development in Thailand in the near future.

VinFast's booth was packed with media and automotive experts from Thailand and internationally.

Dream Plus, because it's not just a dream in Thailand. A VinFast representative stated that by introducing a green mobility ecosystem with quality solutions, bold design, and modern technology to the electric vehicle market in Thailand, VinFast strongly affirms its global production capacity and its ability to fully meet the flexible and environmentally friendly mobility needs of various customer groups. According to plan, in 2024, VinFast will expand its operations to at least 50 countries worldwide. Besides key markets such as the US, Canada, and Europe, VinFast is aggressively expanding into neighboring countries in Asia such as India, Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines, as well as the Middle East and Africa. In addition to Vietnam, VinFast is also promoting the construction of electric vehicle manufacturing plants in the US and India, and will build a plant in Indonesia. Having just entered the most vibrant electric vehicle market in Southeast Asia, and bringing its entire electric vehicle lineup there for the first time, VinFast clearly places great importance on the Thai market. Accepting the challenge of competing with major players in the automotive and electric vehicle industries in a fiercely competitive market, VinFast is confident in its ability to prove itself. Ultimately, staying in the domestic pond will only lead to growth if you don't venture into the open sea, and VinFast's decision to enter the Thai market has earned it significant positive recognition.

XUAN SON - DINH TRUONG

source