Vietnamese EV maker VinFast is preparing to enter India’s fast-growing ride-hailing market, signalling a deeper and more integrated push into the country’s mobility ecosystem. The company will roll out its taxi service under Green and Smart Mobility (GSM), a VinGroup-owned platform that operates exclusively with VinFast vehicles.
VinFast is a vehicle manufacturer founded in 2017 as part of Vingroup, specialising in premium electric vehicles (EVs). The company produces a range of electric SUVs (including VF6, VF7, VF8, VF9, VF6, VF7), e-scooters, and electric buses. It has expanded globally, including a manufacturing plant in India and a significant presence in the US, Canada, and Europe.
The VF5 electric SUV is expected to anchor the GSM fleet in India, alongside the soon-to-be-launched Limo Green MPV, as VinFast looks to tap both passenger mobility and fleet operators, an Autocar report says.
VinFast’s Asia chief executive officer Pham Sanh Chau had earlier confirmed that GSM’s India operations will use only VinFast vehicles. Industry sources indicate that the VF5, which is lined up for an India launch, will make up a large share of the initial fleet.
The Limo Green MPV, meanwhile, is being positioned as a purpose-built fleet vehicle. It will come factory-fitted with features required for commercial operations, including speed limiters and in-cabin passenger panic or help buttons. VinFast has also indicated that a separate version of the MPV, without the ‘Green’ suffix, will be offered to private buyers.
While VinFast already sells the VF6 and VF7 electric SUVs in India, the GSM service will initially rely only on the VF5 and the Limo Green MPV. This suggests a focused approach, with models chosen specifically for high-usage, cost-sensitive fleet operations rather than the retail EV market.
GSM currently operates in Vietnam and other Asian markets such as Malaysia and the Philippines, using a range of VinFast vehicles across segments.
For now, VinFast’s ride-hailing plans in India are centred on four-wheelers. However, the company has made it clear that two-wheelers are firmly on its radar. VinFast already sells electric scooters and motorcycles in international markets and is actively evaluating an India entry.
Chau has said the group is also keen to explore opportunities across VinGroup’s wider businesses, including real estate, healthcare and power distribution, underlining the company’s long-term ambitions in India.
If VinFast introduces electric two-wheelers locally, GSM could eventually expand into two-wheeler ride-hailing, subject to regulatory approvals. This remains a challenging segment in India, where several players have faced policy and compliance hurdles.
VinFast’s plans may appear ambitious, but the company has already demonstrated its ability to move quickly. It set up a greenfield manufacturing facility in just 17 months, launched two EV models in India, and has emerged as the country’s fourth-largest EV maker by volume.
Although absolute sales numbers are still modest, VinFast has managed to edge past established brands such as Hyundai and Kia in the EV space. With GSM, the company is now looking to strengthen demand by directly participating in mobility services, rather than relying solely on private buyers.
If executed as planned, the ride-hailing foray could give VinFast a strong foothold in India’s electric mobility ecosystem, spanning manufacturing, retail and shared transportation.