Vietnamese Automaker Segments Portfolio Into Ultra-Luxury, Mass-Market And Commercial Lines
- By MT Bureau
- March 03, 2026
Vietnamese electric vehicle brand VinFast has announced the completion of its strategic restructuring into three automotive brand lines. The company officially unveiled two flagship models, the Lac Hong 800S and the Lac Hong 900S, to head its ultra-luxury marque.
The restructuring divides the portfolio into the Lac Hong ultra-luxury line, the VF passenger vehicle range and the Green commercial mobility brand. VinFast has maintained a leadership position in Vietnam for 16 consecutive months, delivering 175,099 vehicles in 2025.
The three brands target different market segments to support the company's next phase of development:
- Lac Hong: Comprises the 900 LX, 900S, and 800S models.
- VF: Includes a portfolio of passenger EVs from the VF 3 to the VF 9 and the VF MPV 7.
- Green: Developed for commercial mobility, featuring the Limo Green, Herio Green, Nerio Green and Minio Green models.
The new Lac Hong 800S and 900S models use design elements inspired by Vietnamese heritage, such as a grille with vertical slats and emblems evoking the Lac bird. Interior materials include Nappa leather, wood and gold-plated accents.
They are equipped with a tri-motor system with one front motor and two rear motors; a combined output of 460 kW and a fully active suspension system for ride comfort and stability.
On the inside, it gets executive seating and power-assisted doors. The 900S includes a privacy partition, a projection entertainment system and a workstation.
The Lac Hong 800S and 900S are scheduled for commercial launch in 2027.
At present, VinFast operates manufacturing facilities in Vietnam and India, with planned operations in the United States. The facility in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu, represents a USD 500 million investment and is designed to produce 150,000 vehicles annually.
Duong Thi Thu Trang, Deputy CEO of Global Automotives, VinFast, said, “Following a period of accelerated growth - achieving the No.1 position in Vietnam and establishing our presence in key regional markets - the completion of our three-brand structure lays the foundation for our next phase of development: structured, professional and breakthrough-driven. The Lac Hong 800S and 900S stand as further proof of VinFast’s technological mastery, product development capability and advanced manufacturing expertise. We believe products created by Vietnamese intellect, craftsmanship and resilience not only inspire national pride but also convey a powerful message about Vietnam’s cultural heritage and technological stature in this new era of global advancement.”
Nissan Motor India Records 118% Domestic Sales Growth In May 2026
- By MT Bureau
- June 01, 2026
Nissan Motor India (NMIPL), one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has announced its sales performance for May 2026, recording a 118 percent YoY growth in domestic sales, albeit a low-year-ago base.
The company reported 2,948 units wholesales last month, which also marked its third consecutive month of YoY growth, signalling sustained sales momentum in the Indian market.
Interestingly, the company’s total sales for May 2026 came at 7,971 units, which includes 2,948 units in the domestic market and 5,023 units shipped to international markets during the month.
The company said its domestic sales trajectory was driven by customer interest across Nissan's updated India lineup, including the Gravite and Magnite SUVs. It is currently preparing for the upcoming World Premiere of the Nissan Tekton, which is part of Nissan's broader strategy to diversify its product portfolio and expand its network footprint across India.
Saurabh Vatsa, Managing Director, Nissan Motor India, said, “Our third consecutive month of year-on-year domestic sales growth is an encouraging reflection of the trust customers continue to place in Nissan. The response to the all-new Nissan Gravite, along with the continued strength of the Nissan Magnite, including the growing adoption of our CNG offerings, gives us confidence in our India strategy. As we gear up for the World Premiere of the Nissan Tekton, our focus remains on expanding our network footprint, enhancing accessibility, and delivering a stronger customer experience across the country.”
Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Sales Grows 42% In May 2026
- By MT Bureau
- June 01, 2026
Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles, one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has announced its wholesales of 59,790 units for May 2026 across its domestic and international operations.
This marks a 42 percent YoY growth compared to the 42,040 units delivered during the same month last year. The company's strong monthly performance was highlighted by significant growth in electric vehicle (EV) adoptions and an increase in official retail registrations.
According to VAHAN registration data, Tata Motors has further consolidated its position as the number two manufacturer in the Indian passenger vehicle market.
Last month, the company sold 59,090 units in the domestic market, as against 41,557 units a year ago. Exports came at 700 units, up 45 percent YoY, as compared to 483 units last year.
Interestingly, electric vehicle sales (domestic and export) at 10,517 units reached a record high, as compared to 5,685 units in May 2025.
Kia India Reports 27,586 PV Wholesales In May
- By MT Bureau
- June 01, 2026
Kia India, one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has recorded its highest-ever May wholesale volume since entering the market, delivering 27,586 units.
This represents a 23.6 percent YoY growth compared to the 22,315 units sold during the same month last year.
The sales volume was led by the Seltos SUV, which has maintained monthly wholesales above the 10,000-unit threshold since its launch in January. The SUV holds a 5-star Bharat NCAP safety rating. Furthermore, the Sonet C-SUV remained a contributor supported by expanded automatic transmission options across its petrol and diesel variants.
Additional sales momentum was driven by the newer iterations in the lineup, including the Carens Clavis, the all-electric Clavis EV, and the updated MY26 Syros. The Syros model saw an encouraging consumer response following revisions to its variant hierarchy and the broader availability of automatic gearboxes.
To lower entry barriers for its electric vehicles, Kia India has deployed a Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) procurement channel. This operational initiative alters ownership dynamics by separating the upfront vehicle acquisition cost from the battery asset.
At present, Kia India's sales and service operations are supported by a domestic retail footprint that includes 891 corporate touchpoints distributed across 402 cities. This network handles sales, maintenance, and ownership support in both urban and emerging regional markets. Furthermore, the company operates 130 Certified Pre-Owned vehicle outlets to manage trades, customer vehicle exchanges, and residual value transactions.
Atul Sood, Senior Vice-President of Sales & Marketing, Kia India, said, “Our highest-ever May sales performance reflects the strong alignment of our product portfolio with evolving customer preferences across segments. The continued strong demand for the new Seltos along with Sonet, coupled with the encouraging response to the Carens Clavis, Clavis EV and the MY26 Syros, has helped us sustain our growth momentum. At the same time, recent initiatives like our Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) program are playing an important role in making electric mobility more accessible and practical for customers. As we continue to strengthen our presence across the country, our focus remains on delivering innovative products, premium ownership experiences and technologies that are relevant to the evolving needs of Indian consumers.”
Toyota Kirloskar Motor Wholesales Grows 4% In May
- By MT Bureau
- June 01, 2026
Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM), one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has announced its wholesale sales of 33,128 units in May 2026, up 7 percent YoY, as compared to 30,864 units sold in May 2025.
The wholesales include 30,574 units in the domestic market, up 4 percent YoY, as compared to 29,280 units, while exports came at 2,554 units, up 61 percent YoY, as compared to 1,584 units a year ago.
Sabari Manohar, Executive Vice-President, Sales-Service-Used Car Business, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, said, “Our sales performance in May 2026 reflects the positive market acceptance of Toyota’s offerings and overall ownership experience. The sustained demand across our product portfolio highlights a growing preference for quality, reliability and advanced technologies. This month marked a significant milestone as we crossed 300,000 Strong Hybrid Electric vehicle (SHEV) sales in India, underscoring the growing acceptance of SHEV technology and cleaner mobility solutions. This achievement further strengthens our commitment to advancing sustainable mobility through a multi-pathway approach. We will continue to focus on innovation that aligns with evolving customer needs while delivering long-term value and contributing meaningfully to India’s transition towards carbon neutrality.”

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