If you told me a few years ago that a Vietnamese automaker would be one of the boldest, most interesting challengers in the electric vehicle space, I’d have raised an eyebrow and asked for details.
But here we are in May 2025, and VinFast is impossible to ignore — not just because it makes electric cars, but because it makes cute, quirky, and oddly lovable EVs that dare to be different.
I’ve been following them for a while. What started as a surprising domestic success has turned into a full-blown push into Southeast Asia and beyond — and the Philippines is squarely in their sights. VinFast is no longer a curiosity; it’s a serious player trying to change how we think about everyday electric cars.
Expansion to the Philippines: fast, focused, and retail-heavy
This year VinFast doubled down on the Philippines.
At MIAS 2025 they announced partnerships with several local dealers and a plan to open dozens of showrooms across the country — a move that shows they’re not only selling cars, they’re building presence and service networks fast.
The announcements outlined dozens of new showrooms to open in 2025 across Metro Manila and other key cities, working with local partners such as Autoflare, Xentro Motors and others.
That kind of dealer push matters a lot in a market where after-sales service and visible presence are make-or-break.
What I like about that strategy is the practicality behind the showrooms: they’re not just flashy displays.
VinFast is rolling out dedicated sales, service, and spare-parts outlets (3S centers), and they’re pairing the rollout with charging infrastructure and even attractive offers like buyback programs.
That’s the kind of long-term thinking you need if you want Filipinos to seriously consider switching to EVs — especially first-time EV buyers.
Playful, Bold, and Human-friendly Designs
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
And for me, Vinfast has really nice designs.
VinFast’s styling has a personality — rounded, soft, and almost toy-like in a comforting way. These cars don’t try to be Scandinavian minimalism or hyper-aggressive: they smile a little. It’s a deliberate choice: make EVs less intimidating, more approachable.
That’s why people often describe them as “quirky” or “ lovable.”
Take the VF-3 — small proportions, friendly face, and a silhouette that doesn’t scream “evangelist for performance.”
It’s approachable.
It’s practical.
It has the kind of design that says, “This is a car for everyday life.”
And honestly, after years of seeing SUVs that all look the same, a bit of whimsy is refreshing.
There’s Something for Everyone
VinFast has been building an interesting family of models — from compact city cars to mid-size crossovers.
The VF series includes larger SUVs like the VF 7 and VF 9 but also smaller, city-focused models like the VF-3 and VF-5.
In the Philippines they’ve shown several models and even launched the VF 6 at MIAS 2025, but the VF-3 stands out to me personally because it’s the sort of EV that could actually change day-to-day commuting for many people: cheap to run, small on the road, and cute enough to make you smile every time you park.
I’m honestly excited to see the VF-3 in person.
There’s something about small urban EVs — the way they fit into tight parking lots, the way they look almost playful in a crowded street — that makes them more than transportation.
They can be companionable.
I want to see how the VF-3’s materials feel, how the interior is laid out for everyday life, and whether the small-car driving experience translates into real-world convenience.
Infrastructure & Factory Scale
VinFast isn’t just opening shops; it’s scaling production and pushing into new markets.
The company has plans for new production capacity, including a second plant in Vietnam, and it’s expanding manufacturing into India and Indonesia.
Those moves are important for two reasons: they show VinFast isn’t just making a regional splash, and they lower logistical costs while supporting local supply chains in Asia. If you want more available, more affordable cars, local production helps.
In the Philippines, VinFast’s strategy includes charging programs and partnerships aimed at making ownership practical — including free charging programs and a network rollout. That’s meaningful: if you’re going to recommend an EV to someone, you want to be confident they won’t be left searching for power during a long day.
Why VinFast Matters
There are three reasons I’m keeping a close eye on VinFast:
- Accessibility — their smaller models aim to bring EVs into the price points that ordinary buyers can reach.
- Local presence — big rollout plans and local dealerships mean people won’t be left stranded with no service.
- Design & personality — they’re not bland, and that’s a selling point.
If more people can afford and actually enjoy driving an EV, that’s a win for everyone.
I do have some concerns though.
I won’t pretend VinFast has no hurdles.
The brand trust still needs building, long-term reliability data is limited (they’re a young automaker in global terms), and competition in Asia is heating up — from established Asian automakers to aggressive Chinese EV makers.
The company’s ambitious factory and expansion plans will need to be executed cleanly for the strategy to work.
But here’s the thing: they’re doing the right early moves.
Showrooms, service networks, charging partnerships, and local assembly all push them from “interesting newcomer” toward “real alternative.” I am very excited to see the VF-3 in person and I hope it blows me away when I finally see it and get in one.
