The market share of A-segment gasoline cars in Vietnam is shrinking as the market for similarly sized urban electric vehicles accelerates. According to VAMA and TC Motor data, cumulative sales of A-segment gasoline cars (including hatchbacks and A-SUVs) reached 11,915 units in the first nine months of 2025, nearly 4,500 fewer than the 16,378 units sold in the same period of 2024. Meanwhile, in September alone, VinFast VF 5 sold 3,847 units and VF 3 sold 2,682 units, putting direct pressure on the affordable gasoline car segment.
Nine-month picture: A clear contraction trend.
The A-segment gasoline car market, once a popular choice for first-time car buyers, is experiencing a decline. After nine months of 2025, the Kia Sonet led the group with 3,591 units, followed by the Toyota Raize with 2,541 units and the Hyundai Grand i10 with 2,255 units. Compared to the same period in 2024, overall segment consumption was significantly lower, reflecting weakening demand and a shift towards electric vehicles.
| Car model | 3rd quarter of 2024 (cars) | 3rd quarter of 2025 (cars) |
|---|---|---|
| Kia Sonet | 5,083 | 3,591 |
| Toyota Raize | 2,968 | 2,541 |
| Hyundai Grand i10 | 3,292 | 2,255 |
| Toyota Wigo | 1,900 | 1,657 |
| Hyundai Venue | 2,584 | 1,653 |
| Kia Morning | 551 | 218 |
September showed a trend: a slight but unsustainable increase.
In September, total sales of A-segment gasoline cars reached 1,174 units. Most models saw a slight increase compared to August, except for the Toyota Raize (290 units) and Toyota Wigo (110 units), which decreased compared to the previous month. The Kia Morning sold 32 units, a more than sixfold improvement thanks to its upgrade, but cumulative sales from the beginning of the year remain very low.
The short-term increase, which occurred during the period of preferential registration fees for domestically assembled vehicles from September 2024, has seen the cumulative gap widen. Data shows a decrease of nearly 4,500 vehicles in the first nine months of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024.
Urban electric vehicles put direct pressure on the market.
In September, VinFast VF 5 sold 3,847 units; this number even surpassed the total sales of Kia Sonet since the beginning of the year. VinFast VF 3 sold 2,682 units in the month, higher than the cumulative sales of Hyundai Grand i10 for the first nine months. The large difference in sales between models of similar size shows a clear shift in buyer preferences.
Competitive pricing is one reason. The VinFast VF 3 is priced at 299 million VND, the VinFast VF 5 at 529 million VND; in addition, there's the Wuling Mini EV starting from 197 million VND and the Wuling Bingo from 399 million VND. Electric vehicles are currently completely exempt from registration fees, saving buyers tens to hundreds of millions of VND in on-the-road costs; some models even offer free charging at the V-GREEN public charging system, reducing operating costs.
The market gap is narrowing.
The preference for high-riding vehicles once led to a boom in A-SUVs, but now demand is mainly limited to urban areas and continues to be encroached upon by electric vehicles. Even in smaller urban niches, options like the Hyundai Grand i10, Toyota Wigo, Kia Morning, or A-SUVs such as the Kia Sonet, Toyota Raize, and Hyundai Venue all face fierce competition from urban EVs.
A new bright spot has emerged: the Suzuki Fronx with its hybrid powertrain, which could attract a group of first-time car buyers. However, given the current sales landscape, reaching the 500–1,000 units/month mark will not be easy.
Quick conclusion
- Main trend: A-segment gasoline cars are slowing down; the entire segment saw nearly 4,500 fewer vehicles sold in the first nine months of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024.
- Driving force behind the shift: Competitive electric vehicle pricing, exemption from registration fees, and usage incentives create a competitive overall cost of ownership.
- Impact by pattern: Kia Sonet, Toyota Raize, and Hyundai Grand i10 all decreased compared to 2024; Kia Morning saw a short-term increase due to upgrades but remains low.
- Outlook: The segment is unlikely to disappear completely but will continue to face pressure; hybrid configurations like the Suzuki Fronx may offer more options, but growth potential is limited.
Source: https://baonghean.vn/xe-xang-co-a-viet-nam-thi-phan-teo-top-vi-xe-dien-10309404.html
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