VinFast special feature: Vietnamese Open House

The Vietnamese EV maker has been double-downing on not only its two debutant models, the VF 6 and VF 7 but it has also been very vocal about the vision and pursuits of its handsomely resourceful parents, the Vingroup. Aside from creating over 3500 job opportunities from its first Indian production base in SPICOT Industrial Park Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu where local production is in full-swing. VinFast’s second phase is already underway with the acquisition of an additional 500 acres of land neighbouring the existing plant. A new investment of USD 500 million will introduce development of production lines for electric buses and e-scooters. They’re also striving towards creating a network of over 1300 V Green Charging Stations across India along with free charging service to VF 6 and VF 7 owners till July 2028. VinFast is also eyeing to open 35 dealerships in 27 cities all over the country by the end of 2025. We arrived at its dealership in Baner, Pune, to get a taste of the VinFast experience from the perspective of a prospective customer of their premium electric SUV range.

This VinFast dealership in Baner, Pune is the Vietnamese EV maker's first outlet in Maharashtra — Shot by Sachin Khot for evo India

As I arrived outside the dealership I could already spot a VF 7 demo car in the Infinity Blanc, white paint. I was warmly greeted by a VinFast customer executive as I walked through the doors of the atrium-esque building. My peripheral vision was already caught by the VF 6 in Jet Black paint and a VF 7 in its Urban Mint colour, parked in my flanks in the foyer. After a quick gander at the spacious and well-lit outlet, I was led to the customer’s lounge followed by a comprehensive rundown of VF 6 and VF 7 variants.

A well-informed VinFast customer executive giving a detailed introduction of the models and their variants — Shot by Sachin Khot for evo India

The VinFast customer executive was proficient and well-versed with the ins and outs of both models. She happily accommodated any and all queries in between my sips of coffee from a Jet Black VinFast cup. I also learnt about how customers can book their VinFast model of choice for a sum of ₹21,000 by either building their desired specification on the official website or in person right from a nearby dealership. The brand promises to deliver the cars within two months from the booking date. VinFast has diverse financing options from its tie-ups with all national banks and major private banks.

(L) Jet Black VF 6 Wind Infinity (top-spec) variant and (R) Urban Mint VF 7 Earth variant displayed in the foyer area — Shot by Sachin Khot for India

It was time to explore the two cars which had greeted me upon arrival. I chose the VF 7 Earth variant which is priced at ₹20.89 lakh (ex-showroom). For starters, the Urban Mint paint seemed like a suave option, complimenting the clean character lines of VinFast’s current flagship in India. Tolerances of the shutlines were tight and panel gaps were uniform all-around. Even the doors had some welcome heft to them. This is something you can only judge from a visit to your nearest dealership.

Both VinFast models get a piano-inspired gear selector which give tactile feedback and add to the ease of driving — Shot by Sachin Khot for evo India

Another immediately apparent thing was the quality of materials appointed in the cabin. You can feel the soft touch padding on the lower dashboard and all-four doorcards — is something absent in models from segments above. VinFast has incorporated tactile physical controls for important bits like the piano-inspired gear selector and the steering wheel.

All four doors feature soft touch materials and one-touch power window operation even in the Earth variant of the VF 7 — Shot by Sachin Khot for evo India

The cabin also presented an interesting mix of chrome and satin silver finishes on the trimmings which makes the interior snazzy. My lasting impressions of the VF 7’s cabin are dictated by its roominess and amply supportive leatherette seats. Its centrally mounted, free-standing 12.9-inch screen is home to amenities like a 360-degree camera view and wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Even the backseat is well-appointed with a rear armrest and pop-out cupholders, AC vents along with one-touch power window operation.

The Wind VF 6 gets dual-tone interiors which elevate the upmarket quotient inside the already well-appointed cabin — Shot by Sachin Khot for evo India

I moved onto the VF 6 and I said to myself, “Now that’s a sharp looking mid-size SUV.” The Jet Black paint on the Wind Infinity (top-spec) variant which is priced at ₹18.29 lakh (ex-showroom), looked menacing paired with its 18-inch wheels in a machined finish. Again, the VF 6 also exhibited similar levels of attention to detail and premiumness. Its panoramic glass roof does add a new dimension to the already voluminous interiors.

That brings me to after sales support. Both the models get 10 years or 2 lakh kilometres of battery warranty from VinFast. As for the vehicle warranty, the VF 6 gets 7 years and VF 7 gets 10 years. In addition to this, VinFast is also bundling 3 years of free maintenance. The customers can also avail free 24x7 Road Side Assistance either from a toll-free number or via a dealership.

A proud VF 7 Wind variant owner, a businessman, who appreciates the 532km ARAI claimed range from the bigger 70.8kWh pack — Shot by Sachin Khot for evo India

While I was there I ran into a new Infinity Blanc VF 7 owner, Pramod Sontakke, a business owner, purchased the Wind variant with the bigger 70.8kWh battery. Upon knowing about VinFast from his cousin in Vietnam. He was eager to take a test drive post launch, which was promptly made possible by the Baner dealership. Smitten by the premium build, cabin comfort and the impressive 532km ARAI claimed range, Pramod said, “Mujhe gaadi bahaut achha laga, leg space achha laga aur jo feeling hai, woh feeling se main impress hogaya, maine apne business partner ko bataya and hum dono ne VF 7 gaadi ko book karliya.” [I liked the car very much for the space on offer, and the feel was impressive. I told my business partner about the VF 7 and both of us ended up booking one]. The partners took deliveries of their new VF 7s, one Wind and another Wind Infinity. Both the customers are enjoying their VinFast in terms of the product and the after sales support. So far, VinFast has sold over 250 cars from its 24 dealerships in India and it seems that it’ll only grow from here onwards.