"We will capture the Indonesian market, the largest population in Southeast Asia"... Following China's BYD, Vietnam's VinFast also challenges the Indonesian electric vehicle market

【Jakarta (Indonesia)=Chitra Claudia Salsabila Correspondent】Vietnam's electric vehicle company VinFast will start direct production in Indonesia from the end of the year, officially entering the local market. VinFast is currently constructing an electric vehicle assembly plant in Subang Regency, West Java, Indonesia, and is preparing for operation by the end of the year.
According to a report by Indonesian media Tribunnews on the 25th, Kariyanto Hardjosumarto, VinFast Indonesia CEO, stated at the 'Gaikindo (Indonesian Automotive Industry Association) Indonesia International Auto Show (GIIAS) 2025' press conference held on the 23rd, "The construction of the plant is progressing smoothly as planned and will be operational immediately upon completion."
The Subang plant is being built on a site of approximately 170 hectares with an investment of 200 million dollars (about 275.32 billion won) and is expected to have an annual production capacity of 50,000 units in the first phase. Kariyanto, VinFast Indonesia CEO, added, "Initially, the VF3 model will be produced locally, and additional models will be sequentially unveiled thereafter."
Through this GIIAS Auto Show, VinFast officially launched the electric vehicle new model 'VF7', targeting the mid-to-high-end SUV market. The model is available in two trims: △VF7 Eco (499 million rupiah, about 42.06 million won) △VF7 Plus (599 million rupiah, about 50.49 million won), featuring a futuristic design.
VinFast also announced plans to expand large-scale production facilities in Indonesia along with the launch of new products.
Kariyanto, VinFast Indonesia CEO, stated, "This month, VinFast officially joined Gaikindo," adding, "This will further strengthen our position within the Indonesian automotive industry." Currently, 20 new dealer partners have been secured, and the number of showrooms will be expanded to a total of 100 by the end of the year, in addition to the existing 38 showrooms.
Furthermore, three new third-party maintenance networks will be added, expanding the official service centers to a total of 250, with a goal to increase the third-party service bases nationwide to 500 by the end of 2025.
chitra@fnnews.com Chitra Claudia Salsabila Correspondent