VinFast VF 5 left-hand drive: The story from the Subang factory.

VinFast has just inaugurated its electric vehicle factory in Subang, West Java, Indonesia, after 17 months of construction. According to VinFast, this is the company's fourth electric vehicle factory to officially become operational globally and its first in Indonesia, with plans to assemble left-hand drive versions of the VF 3, VF 5, VF 6, and VF 7 models to serve the local market.

From a "product evaluation" perspective using the AutoCar approach, the factory isn't a test vehicle to drive and score performance. However, it's a crucial link in determining how a left-hand drive version like the VinFast VF 5 is produced, its potential for production expansion, the rate of localization, and the prospects for component supply in the coming years.

VinFast electric vehicle factory in Subang, Indonesia

Subang after 17 months: deployment speed and localization targets.

VinFast stated that the on-schedule commissioning of its Subang plant demonstrates its commitment to boosting localization, in line with the Indonesian government 's development direction for the electric vehicle industry. The announced localization roadmap includes: over 40% by 2026 , 60% by 2029 , and 80% from 2030 onwards , in order to comply with Indonesian government regulations on localization rates for the industry.

Mr. Pham Sanh Chau, General Director of VinFast Asia , shared his perspective on the role of localization in the strategy in Indonesia: “The on-schedule inauguration of the Subang factory not only demonstrates VinFast's strong implementation capabilities, but more importantly, it is a strategic milestone in fulfilling VinFast's long-term commitment to Indonesia. We understand that localization is a crucial foundation for VinFast's success in this country, and it directly contributes to the Indonesian government's goals of economic growth and job creation.”

From a market perspective, these localization milestones often have a direct impact on cost structure (especially logistics and supply chain), component supply stability, and the ability to expand the product range to meet local demands. However, the localization challenge is not just about percentages, but also depends on the speed at which a supplier ecosystem forms around the factory.

Investment scale and capacity: the foundation for large-scale production.

The VinFast factory in Subang, located on a 171-hectare plot of land, is being developed in multiple phases with a total investment of over $1 billion . VinFast states that in subsequent phases, production capacity could increase to 350,000 vehicles per year , aiming to meet demand in Indonesia and open up the possibility of exporting to other countries.

In phase 1 , VinFast stated a total investment of over $300 million , with a production capacity of 50,000 vehicles per year . This figure shows that the factory is designed with a "gradual unlocking" approach to scale: small enough to start production and refine processes, but still with room for significant expansion if the market grows.

VinFast Subang factory complex with plans to increase production capacity.

Assembly lines and workshops: the cornerstone of assembly quality.

VinFast stated that the factory is equipped with a comprehensive production line system that meets international standards, with a high level of automation and the application of modern technology to ensure product quality.

The main components listed include: body welding workshop , paint shop , assembly plant , along with a quality control center and logistics warehouse . For electric vehicles, the stability of the assembly and inspection processes directly impacts the user experience (body finish, paint quality, assembly uniformity), and also determines the rate of production increase when the market enters the "real order" phase.

However, based on the available source data, there is no detailed information on the level of automation at each stage, the configuration of the production line, or the specific inspection standards applied to each model. Therefore, assessments of the "actual assembly quality" of the VF 3, VF 5, VF 6, or VF 7 produced in Subang will require independent data after the commercial vehicles reach customers.

Supporting ecosystem: a necessary condition to achieve 80% localization.

A notable detail in VinFast's announcement is the allocation of land for the development of a cluster of supporting factories for domestic contractors and businesses, with plans for expansion in the coming years. According to VinFast, this approach aims to create a solid foundation for extensive localization around the Subang complex.

With strategic models assembled here (including the VF 5 left-hand drive), the support cluster can help shorten supply times and reduce reliance on cross-border transportation. At the same time, if the supplier ecosystem develops as expected, the factory can support the introduction of new versions tailored to the Indonesian market.

Employment and local impact as assessed by Indonesia.

When operating at full capacity, the VinFast factory in Subang is expected to create between 5,000 and 15,000 direct jobs for local workers, along with thousands of indirect jobs in the supply chain and related services. According to the source, this is expected to boost the socio-economic development of the Subang area, which is being positioned to become a new industrial hub of West Java.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Mr. Airlangga Hartarto – Indonesia's Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs – emphasized that the project aligns with the Indonesian government's green industrial development strategy and can boost the local economy through job opportunities, improved human resource quality, and the development of a supporting industrial ecosystem. “We believe that, given the scale and scope of the project, VinFast will become one of the key components contributing to making Subang a new electric vehicle industrial hub in the region in the near future,” said Mr. Airlangga Hartarto.

Assembly models: VF 3, VF 5, VF 6, VF 7 (right-hand drive) and planned for 2026.

In the initial phase, the factory focused on assembling strategic electric vehicle models including the VF 3, VF 5, VF 6, and VF 7 (right-hand drive versions ), serving the Indonesian market. Clearly defining the models from the outset shows that the factory is oriented towards a product range spanning from small cars to larger segments, rather than focusing on just one product.

In addition, the factory is also tasked with assembling new product models that VinFast is expected to introduce in Indonesia in 2026, including electric motorcycles and electric MPVs optimized for commercial services. From a market perspective, this signals VinFast's desire to cater to both individual customers and those in the transportation/service business, who are sensitive to operating costs and the availability of after-sales service.

Summary of key information about the VinFast Subang factory.

Category	Information by source
Location	Subang, West Java, Indonesia
Implementation time	17 months
Land area size	171 hectares
Total investment capital	Over $1 billion
Phase 1	Over $300 million; 50,000 vehicles per year
Target capacity (subsequent phases)	This could be increased to 350,000 vehicles per year.
Main workshops	Body welding; painting; assembly; quality control; logistics
Localization objectives	Over 40% in 2026; 60% in 2029; 80% from 2030 onwards.
Direct employment (when operating at maximum capacity)	5,000–15,000
Initial assembly model	VF 3, VF 5, VF 6, VF 7 left-hand drive versions

Conclusion: "Evaluate" a factory based on what can be verified.

With the Subang project, the immediately verifiable parameters include a 17-month implementation speed, a scale of 171 hectares, an investment of over $1 billion, a core factory structure, and a localization roadmap of up to 80% by 2030. In terms of products, the key point is that the factory is designed to assemble the VF 3, VF 5, VF 6, and VF 7 left-hand drive models for Indonesia, while also paving the way for electric motorcycles and electric MPVs from 2026.

More important outcomes for car buyers — assembly quality, supply chain stability, delivery speed, and after-sales service — will need to be monitored as the vehicles leave the production line and enter real-world operation on Indonesian roads.