VIETNAMESE conglomerate Vingroup JSC (T?p doàn Vingroup-CTCP) plans to invest $500 million in an electric-vehicle (EV) manufacturing plant in the Philippines, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) announced recently.
The construction is targeted to begin in the first quarter of 2027 and initial production capacity set at 200,000 vehicles annually, according to the DTI.
A statement issued by the DTI read that the facility is designed to serve both the domestic market and export destinations, while the group also plans to introduce electric scooters in the Philippines.
The project timeline calls for 12 months to 18 months of development, although the department did not identify the plant’s location or specify when production would begin.
According to the DTI, the plan was discussed by Trade and Industry Secretary Ma. Cristina A. Roque and Vingroup Vice Chairman Nguyen Quoc Tuan. Key points in the discussion included available investment incentives, including tax provisions under the Create More law (Republic Act 12066) and expedited regulatory processing through the government’s Green Lanes program.
The announcement provides investment and production figures that had not been disclosed during earlier discussions between Roque and Vingroup representatives.
Before the meeting, Roque said the government’s immediate focus was to discuss EV manufacturing, while the company’s other potential Philippine ventures remained preliminary.
Vingroup had also expressed interest in entering the hospital and entertainment businesses, including possible theme park projects, Roque said previously. No investment amounts, locations or finalized projects for these sectors have been announced.
The EV plant’s proposed capacity of 200,000 vehicles a year would cover production for both Philippine buyers and overseas markets. However, the DTI statement did not specify how output would be divided between the two.
The planned investment comes as the government develops its ‘electric vehicle incentive strategy’ to support EV manufacturing.
Roque had earlier said the program’s implementing rules were expected to be completed soon, although she could not confirm the status of all remaining requirements.
The DTI has not disclosed the plant’s location, projected employment, local parts-sourcing targets or the specific export markets it intends to serve.
Vingroup subsidiary VinFast Auto Ltd. has sold 115 vehicles in the Philippines in 2025, according to data from the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. The company said it ranked as the country’s second-largest battery-electric vehicle brand that year.