VinFast, the ambitious Vietnamese EV maker, launched in India amid high expectations but faces a steep uphill battle. Tata Motors and Mahindra dominate with proven models and massive sales, leaving VinFast’s start looking sluggish.
VinFast’s Modest India Debut
VinFast entered India in September 2025 with the VF6 compact SUV (starting at ₹16.49 lakh) and VF7 mid-size SUV (from ₹20.89 lakh), assembled from CKD kits in Tamil Nadu. By early 2026, it crossed 1,000 cumulative sales in four months, including 830 units in late 2025 and over 200 in early 2026, ranking fourth behind Tata, MG, and Mahindra. In December 2025, VinFast sold 375 units, beating BMW and Kia but trailing Tata’s 6,453 units. Mid-December data showed 163 units, entering the top 5, yet overall volumes remain low amid a market where EVs hit 176,817 units in 2025.
Tata’s EV Empire Strikes Back
Tata Motors leads India’s EV market with 70,004 units sold in 2025, holding 40% share despite competition eroding from 73% in 2023. The Nexon EV crossed 100,000 sales lifetime and anchors volumes with 400-500 km range options, while Punch EV remains a bestseller in the sub-₹10 lakh segment. Tata’s total EV sales hit 250,000 cumulative by late 2025, powered by diverse lineup including Tiago EV and Curvv EV. For 2026, upcoming models like Sierra EV (₹15 lakh est., 500 km range), Safari EV, Harrier EV, and Avinya (₹35 lakh+, 500+ km) on Gen 3 architecture promise ultra-fast charging and AWD variants.
Mahindra’s Aggressive EV Push
Mahindra surged 369% to 33,513 EV units in 2025, grabbing significant share with SUVs like XUV400 (6,452 units over 12 months, though monthly dips like 149 in Sep 2025). The BE.05 (₹18-25 lakh) offers dual-motor power up to 389 bhp and competes head-on in mid-segment. In December 2025, Mahindra sold 3,066 units, neck-and-neck with MG’s 3,557. 2026 launches include BE 6 Rall-E (off-road focus, dual-motor), XUV 3XO EV (compact rival to Nexon EV), and up to five INGLO-platform EVs by October, emphasizing 600+ km range and 20-min fast charging.
Head-to-Head: Specs and Pricing Battle
| Model | Price (ex-showroom, ₹ lakh) | Range (km, est.) | Key Strength | Sales Example (2025) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VinFast VF6 | 16.49-18.29 | 399-480 | Pininfarina design, 5-star safety aim | Part of 1,000 total |
| VinFast VF7 | 20.89-25.49 | 500+ | Tech interior, HUD | |
| Tata Nexon EV | 12-18 | 400-500 | 100k+ sales, proven reliability | Market leader |
| Tata Punch EV | 9.99+ | 365 | Bestseller entry-level | Top SUV FY25 |
| Mahindra BE.05 | 18-25 | 500+ | 389 bhp dual-motor | Boosted 2025 surge |
| Mahindra XUV400 | 15-19 | 456 | Growing monthly sales | 6,452 yearly |
VinFast’s premium pricing and imported kits hinder against locals’ affordability and localization.
Why VinFast Lags: Challenges Mount
VinFast eyes expansion with Limo Green MPV in Feb 2026, VF3/VF5 micro-SUVs, and electric buses by Aug 2026, targeting states like Tamil Nadu. However, Tata’s ecosystem (65%+ historical dominance) and Mahindra’s off-road EVs create barriers. Distribution delays cut early targets, and competition in ₹10-25 lakh sweet spot (most active segment) favors incumbents with service networks. India’s EV growth (77% to 176k units 2025) demands scale VinFast lacks versus Tata’s 250k milestone.
Future Outlook: Can VinFast Accelerate?
Tata and Mahindra’s 2026 barrages—Avinya, Sierra, BE 6, XUV 3XO—fortify defenses with 500+ km ranges and V2L tech. VinFast’s Thoothukudi plant (50k capacity) and localization plans offer hope, but matching Tata’s volumes or Mahindra’s growth requires aggressive pricing and VF3 launch. For Indian buyers prioritizing range, service, and value, local giants hold edge—for now. As EVs hit mass adoption, VinFast must disrupt or risk fading.