I’m still trying to understand VinFast’s real reason for entering India.

India already has strong OEMs like Tata, Mahindra, Maruti, Hyundai etc … They understand the market, already have service networks, local suppliers, customer trust and much better scale.

So what is VinFast really bringing that is different?
I don’t see any technology niche yet. Battery, motor, power electronics, ADAS, connected features and software are not areas where VinFast has an obvious technology or cost advantage over established global or Indian OEMs.

Of course, their investment in India is good. It brings more competition, jobs, manufacturing and more choices for customers. That part is positive.

But setting up a factory is the easy part. Building a sustainable auto business in India is much harder.
The big question for me is: why would an Indian customer choose VinFast over Tata, Mahindra, Hyundai, Maruti or others?

Can they localize fast enough? Can they compete on cost? Can they build a strong service network? Can they offer better quality or technology? Or is India mainly being used as an export and manufacturing base?

I also have mixed feelings after hearing experiences from some colleagues who worked there at their engineering office . There seems to be a lot of bitterness and, in some cases, open hostility/politics toward Indians

The question remains: what is VinFast’s durable competitive advantage in India, and why exactly are they here?

Is India a serious long-term market for them, or are they coming here because they have struggled to gain meaningful traction in other major markets ?

Bought a VinFast VF7. On 23 June the OE Apollo tyre blew out on the road — no spare in the car, had to arrange tow. It's now 15 July and the car is still sitting at Nanesh Automotives (Hyderabad), with Apollo and VinFast unable to say what actually caused the failure.

Meanwhile ICICI Lombard denied my insurance claim on the same tyre saying it's a "manufacturing defect" the exact opposite of what Apollo's own inspection report says (they're blaming damage). So both companies are contradicting each other and I'm the one stuck without a car for a month.

Also paid for a home EV charger at delivery (2 June) still not installed, 6+ weeks later. VinFast customer care doesn't return calls.

Not trying to bash the car itself, but the after-sales experience has been genuinely bad. Wanted to put this out there for anyone considering VinFast in India go in with eyes open on service, not just the showroom pitch.

Happy to answer questions, have photos/documentation of all of this.

Bubble burst too early? Early driver complaints are already raising questions about VinFast EVs, Green SM’s execution, and long-term sustainability in India. India is not Vietnam — customers and drivers won’t accept hype without delivery.

Vinfast is entering India with EV taxis, but the key question is: how much of this is actually made in India?

If the vehicle is only imported or assembled in India with very low local content, then it is not real “Make in India.” It may create some assembly jobs, but the main technology, components, and value addition remain outside India.

My concern is also for cab drivers. Many drivers take vehicles on loan and depend on daily earnings to pay EMI, fuel cost, maintenance, and family expenses. If large fleet operators enter with subsidized imported/assembled vehicles, individual cab drivers may face lower earnings, higher competition, and more pressure on loan repayment.

India should welcome foreign companies, but with clear rules:

Local content should be mandatory.

Indian suppliers and OEMs should get fair opportunity.

Driver income protection should be considered.

Fleet operators should not create unfair competition for small cab owners.

Green mobility is good, but it should not come at the cost of Indian manufacturing and the livelihood of cab drivers.