After the announcement of locally made VF6 and VF7 cars, the Vietnamese automaker, Vinfast, has announced its entry to the two-wheeler market in India, with the first three offerings: Evo, Feliz II, and Viper. These scooters are already available in the Vietnamese market and doing well; it will be interesting to see how Vinfast plays its cards in India.
Vinfast Evo, Feliz II, and Viper: Launch Strategy
- Initial Route: The scooters will initially arrive as CKD (Completely Knocked Down) units and will be assembled at VinFast’s new facility in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu.
- Localisation: While they are starting with existing Vietnamese models, VinFast plans to adapt them for Indian road conditions and eventually shift toward full local manufacturing.
- Innovation: The company is reportedly considering battery-swapping variants, which could differentiate them from many current competitors.
Vinfast EVO
With rivals like EVS iQube, Bajaj Chetak, Ather Ritza, or VIDA VX2, Vinfast EVO is going to enter the hottest 2-wheeler segment in India. It will feature a 2.4 kWh LFP battery pack, and we can expect a range of about 100-120 km. It will get an underseat storage of 35 L, making it one of the best in the segment and aligning it with the practical requirements of the Indian buyers. It will get a 770 mm seat height, 12-inch wheels, and a kerb weight of 110 kg.
Vinfast Feliz II and Viper
Both these models will feature an “underbone” chassis, meaning larger wheels (14-inch) and a slim body. These are very popular in markets like Thailand and Vietnam, but are still a niche category in India. Their success may depend on how Indian consumers react to the trade-off between larger wheels (better stability) and reduced floorboard storage.
Feliz II will offer a 3 kWh battery back and a 2.8 kW motor, while Viper will offer a larger 4.8 kWh battery and a 3 kW motor.
Vinfast might offer battery swapping
To meet the gig economy demand and adapt to the local requirements, Vinfast is planning to introduce battery-swapping technology with the scooters, and we expect the EVO to get it for sure. VinFast’s entry signals a serious expansion beyond its electric car plans, aiming to capture a slice of the rapidly growing Indian EV ecosystem.
