VinFast Launches VF MPV 7 in Philippines With Battery Subscription

Vietnamese electric vehicle maker VinFast has launched the VF MPV 7 in the Philippines, introducing its battery subscription model as it expands further in Southeast Asia, according to VinFast.

Product Specifications and Pricing

The seven-seat MPV starts at 1.5 million pesos (US$25,000) with the battery included, or 1.2 million pesos (US$20,000) under a subscription plan with monthly battery fees. The vehicle has a claimed range of up to 450 km using the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) testing standard, and can charge from 10% to 70% in approximately 30 minutes.

Charging Network and Customer Benefits

VinFast said owners will receive free charging at V-Green stations in the Philippines through March 2029 as the company builds out its EV ecosystem in the market. The vertically integrated model—where VinFast controls both the vehicle and the charging network—mirrors approaches used by other major EV manufacturers.

Strategic Context

The battery subscription model aims to lower the upfront purchase price, which remains a significant barrier in price-sensitive emerging markets. VinFast's entry into the Philippines market occurs amid broader industry shifts toward EV adoption in Southeast Asia, including the Philippines' corporate fleet electrification requirement that mandates 5% of corporate vehicle fleets be electric.

VinFast posted a net loss of US$618.3 million in the first quarter of 2024. In that same period, 56% of the company's deliveries went to Green SM, a taxi operator tied to parent company Vingroup, a large Vietnamese conglomerate.