Tag: Electric Vehicle

Philippines – Automotive manufacturer VinFast is set to open over 60 new showrooms across the Philippines as part of its global expansion. To establish the showrooms, the company has forged partnerships with six local distributors.

In its effort to bring smart and sustainable mobility solutions to consumers in Southeast Asia (SEA), VinFast has partnered with Autoflare, Xentro Motors, Kar Asia, Semicon Motors, EV Tech, and Toncars.

The collaborations enable VinFast to expand its footprint in Metro Manila and other major cities, setting a base for its growth in the Philippine market.

Through the partnership, Autoflare is set to launch 20 VinFast showrooms in 2025, while Xentro Motors will build 32 showrooms across malls. EV Tech will establish two showrooms, while Kar Asia, Semicon Motors, and Toncars will open one location each.

Complying with VinFast’s global standards, the showrooms will incorporate modern designs in their areas for product displays, customer experiences, sales consultations, and after-sales service.

Each showroom will also have an electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, offering convenience for its customers.

The expansion is part of VinFast’s broader ‘For a Green Future’ strategy in key SEA markets, which includes building a comprehensive EV ecosystem.

To contribute to improving the charging infrastructure in the Philippines, VinFast is also investing in service centre development and forging a partnership with V-GREEN.

Duong Thi Thu Trang, deputy CEO of global sales at VinFast, said, “Partnering with top distributors in the Philippines is a strategic step in VinFast’s journey to make electric vehicles more accessible throughout the region. With the support of these experienced local partners, we are confident in quickly building a strong distribution network that delivers comprehensive and distinctive experiences to customers.”

Indonesia – VinFast, the Vietnamese electric vehicle manufacturer under Vingroup, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with vehicle distributor PT Aribi Amartapura (Amarta) to accelerate the expansion of its showroom network in Indonesia.

Under the agreement, VinFast will tap into Amarta’s 25 years of market expertise to develop 22 new showrooms across Indonesia between 2025 and 2027, with a focus on major cities like Greater Jakarta and Bandung. Eleven of these showrooms are slated to open in 2025, with the first expected to launch in March.

VinFast showrooms will feature a modern design and include charging ports, offering spaces for vehicle displays, test drives, and after-sales services. The showrooms aim to provide a streamlined experience for customers, from exploring electric vehicle options to post-purchase support.

This partnership supports VinFast’s global dealership strategy by expanding its network in Indonesia and aligning with its shift to a dealership model, aimed at optimising operations and reducing costs.

Pham Sanh Chau, CEO of VinFast Asia, said, “We are excited to collaborate with Amarta to bring our smart, eco-friendly electric vehicles closer to Indonesian consumers. This partnership allows us to fully capitalise on Amarta’s deep local expertise, laying a strong foundation for VinFast to become a household name in electric mobility.”

Angga Prawira Awang, CEO of Amarta, added, “It is an honour for Amarta to partner with VinFast, a dynamic and pioneering EV brand from Vietnam. We believe that by combining Amarta’s local market insights with VinFast’s superior product quality and affordable pricing, we can deliver exceptional value to Indonesian customers while promoting green mobility and a sustainable future.”

In January 2024, VinFast received approval from the Indonesian government for its long-term US$1.2 billion investment plan. The Vietnamese EV manufacturer continues to expand in Indonesia, partnering with 14 dealers operating 21 stores across Jakarta, Bandung, Surabaya, Bali, and other key locations. Its lineup includes the VF 3, VF 5, and VF e34 mini e-SUVs, with free charging available until March 1, 2028, and warranties ranging from 7 to 10 years, depending on the model.

Since entering the market, VinFast has introduced its EVs alongside GSM’s ride-hailing service and V-GREEN’s charging infrastructure, reinforcing its presence in Indonesia’s growing EV sector.

Singapore – The Land Transportation Authority (LTA), alongside The Secret Little Agency (TSLA) is marking the end of its film series focusing on EV readiness in Singapore by releasing its third and final instalment of the film series, directed by renowned local filmmaker Jack Neo.

The third and final installment, starring iconic Singaporean actor Henry Thia, is aimed at sharing the electrification of public transportation driving environmental benefits. The heart wrenching drama follows Ah Hui on his journey to keep his promise to his departed love, to live more sustainably, culminating in his realisation that sustainable transportation is readily available through our buses.

The decision to collaborate with Jack Neo, one of Singapore’s most celebrated filmmakers, was a strategic one. Leveraging Neo’s unparalleled ability to connect with Singaporeans through his unique brand of humor and storytelling, the final film lands the message that all generations are already experiencing Singapore in it’s EV readiness with the electrification of bus fleets; all Singaporeans, not just vehicle drivers, have a part to play in driving our switch to electric initiatives forward.

The campaign–launched December last year–sought to educate Singaporeans around the ready infrastructure supporting the adoption of electric vehicles that exists today and into the near future through the use of cinematic films. 

The three films utilises storytelling in surprising ways, playing on typical genre tropes familiar to all movie-lovers to land tactical messaging on the nation’s electric future. The first film touched on the longevity of a full charge of an average electric vehicle through an action-packed film; and the second used a Romeo/Juliet-esque romance musical to bring to life the ease and convenience of switching to an EV through comprehensive charging infrastructure networks across the country. 

Nicholas Ye and Mavis Neo, co-chief creative officers at The Secret Little Agency, said, “We wanted this final iteration to speak to the hearts of Singaporeans, young and old. Neo’s brand of storytelling, brings a fun, familiar, deeply resonant twist to our series. We saw the opportunity to bridge the knowledge gaps between generations, through highlighting the diverse ways in which Singaporeans of all ages contribute, shape, and experience Singapore’s EV-future, as past of the collective action towards a sustainable future.”

Jakarta, Indonesia – VinFast, a Vietnamese electric vehicle manufacturer, has gotten approval from the Indonesian government regarding its plans to invest in the country. It should be recalled that VinFast plans to invest US$1.2b in the country in the long run.

“We fully support VinFast’s investment plan in Indonesia. You can ask about permits to my minister,” President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo said during a meeting with Pham Nat Vuong, chairman at VinFast during the president’s meeting at the head office of VinFast in Hai Phong City in Vietnam.

The president said that VinFast is one of the fastest-growing automotive companies. He also expressed hope that the investment can improve Indonesia’s EV ecosystem and be linked with EV battery industry.

“We expect–as I’ve mentioned before–the ecosystem to be established immediately. [The] chairman of VinFast has confirmed that construction works will start immediately,” he added.

After that meeting, President Jokowi visited VinFast electric vehicle manufacture and observed the assembly process including installation of electric car battery.

It is also worth mentioning that VinFast is also set to build its first plant in Indonesia by 2026.

New Delhi, India – An increasing number of Indian consumers are showing willingness and interest to purchase electric vehicles, new report from auto-tech firm CarDekho and marketing company Omnicom Media Group (OMG) shows. 

According to the survey, 66% of customers are willing to buy electric vehicles, out of which 53% said they were strongly inclined to go electric. Among those surveyed, 13% are not yet ready for the transformation whereas 19% decline to go either way.

In addition, 68% of the customers showed their concern towards the environment and believe switching to EVs will help reduce air pollution, whereas 11% and 6% of respondents considered driving pleasure and lower maintenance cost respectively as the main reason for considering a shift to EVs. 

“The core objective of this survey was to gauge the consumer psyche and understand what sort of information or services from automobile original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) could help in the buying decision. Respondents suggested manufacturers offer a full list of service stations in any city, accessories for easy and fast home-charging, and an extended service warranty assurance for the car,” the companies said in a press statement.

The survey also showed that despite the optimism shown among respondents, certain percentages of consumers are also raising doubts about EV usage. In the survey, 43% of respondents stated that frequent recharging will be a big concern, with 20% raising concerns on the reliability of EVs during long drives or inter-city travel, and 16% considering inadequate infrastructure (charging stations) a bigger hurdle. Meanwhile, nearly 12% of those surveyed said that pricing was an important consideration.

CarDekho and OMG conducted the survey across India among potential 4W vehicle buyers. Almost 40% of the respondents owned an SUV with 29% owning a hatchback, followed by 25% with sedans.