VinFast Delays India Launch: VF 6 & VF 7 Postponed

VinFast Hits Pause in India: Why the U-Turn?

VinFast, Vietnam’s headline-hogging EV maker, looked ready to sprint onto India’s buzzing highways. Prospective buyers were already imagining test drives, and investor chatter was through the roof.

Then, the plan suddenly went soft. A promised ₹4,000-crore factory in Tamil Nadu, once painted in bright launch-day colours, is now under a planning delay most folks didn’t see coming.

So, what clipped the company’s early momentum? A few hidden bumps in the road tell the story better than speculation does.

Dealerships Getting Cold Feet, Timelines Turning Blurry

VinFast kicked off its India adventure with a flashy offer—quick cash, significant incentives, and bold promises nobody could miss. Lately, though, the sparkle has been dimming considerably. A clutch of prospects has pulled out, grumbling about hazy launch windows, a ghost fleet of demo cars, and zero word on who’ll keep the batteries and brakes healthy.

In a marketplace already packed with hungry brands—Mahindra’s local heroes, Tata’s ever-growing family, and BYD breathing down their necks—dealer trust is basically made of glass. VinFast, honest or not, looks set to shatter that glass before even rolling a single unit onto an Indian street.

Thoothukudi Plant Lagging by Months

A centrepiece in VinFast’s game plan was the Thoothukudi factory, a 150,000-car-a-year facility that was supposed to pop up faster than tikka on tawa. Ground-breaking had been promised for mid-2024, with welders sparking by June; both of those markers now sit at the end of an open-ended timeline.

Insiders whisper about piled-up permits, rain-soaked earth, and flat-out truck shortages. Until the steel structure is ready, every shipment has to sail in from abroad, meaning fat import bills that pad sticker prices the way curry oil soaks through paper napkins. In a country where penny-pinching is a lifestyle, that kind of math rarely ends in smiles.

Flagship Models VF 6 and VF 7 Await Localisation

VinFast is still talking up the VF 6 and VF 7, even though nobody can say when the vehicles will land on Indian soil. The pair’s specs may shine on paper, but real-world potholes don’t care about glossy brochures.

The VF 6 rolls in with a 59.6 kWh battery, promising 400 kilometres on a full charge. Buyers can expect a 12.9-inch touchscreen, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, Level 2 ADAS, a heads-up display, and a panoramic sunroof.

The larger VF 7 sports a roomier 73 kWh pack and leans harder into luxury. Split headlamps, a light-bar DRL, 19-inch wheels, and a cockpit stuffed with screens let it strut a sci-fi vibe. Rumours about launch costs, ride quality, and how customers will really receive the car also keep popping up.

Even the busiest touchscreen won’t seal the deal if buyers can’t find a service centre around the corner. Without parts availability and reliable warranty service, VinFast might end up selling promises instead of cars.

Ambition vs. Execution: VinFast’s Balancing Act

VinFast keeps entering new markets with giant banners, glittery expos, and jaw-dropping budgets, and India is just the latest stop on the tour. Still, the subcontinent has one stubborn quirk—its customers measure patience in years, not megawatt-hours.

Building real street credibility in the auto game isn’t just about flashing that glossy spec sheet. It means setting up localised engineering, backing it with rock-solid customer support, and getting the whole price-and-value equation to actually line up. None of that happens overnight—every inch takes patience and a lot of detailed planning.

Looking Ahead: Can VinFast Course-Correct?

VinFast is floating a fresh launch window of July to August 2025, with early pre-bookings maybe opening by mid-July if the stars stay aligned. Rough, loose, and still somewhat hopeful—some say it sounds more like a wish than a plan.

Honestly, the big question now is whether that cushion gives the company enough time to patch up the holes it already dug in its India playbook. No one can answer that yet; only the calendar will decide. One rule stands, though: in India’s EV race, all-out hustle without proper homework is usually good for a spectacular crash.

Final Thought

VinFast has pressed pause, not turned off the engine. If the crew can circle back, tune its approach for local needs, and slowly win over dealers and buyers, it’ll still have a shot worth taking. Tick-tock, though—India’s market doesn’t wait for latecomers.

For more information, visit here.

👉 Please 📩SUBSCRIBE to us for more real-world EV analysis, news, and deep dives — written for EV fans by EV fans.