Vingroup targets Batangas for $500 million electric-vehicle manufacturing plant

Vingroup, the Vietnamese conglomerate behind the EV brand VinFast, is actively looking at economic zones in Batangas for a new electric-vehicle manufacturing complex covering at least 300 hectares. The proposed $500-million investment, roughly P32 billion, would enable an annual capacity of 200,000 four-wheel EVs, with construction slated for completion around early 2028 and a later phase for electric scooters. Trade Secretary Cristina Roque highlighted Batangas’ proximity to ports as a key advantage, noting the move would diversify the Philippines’ automotive base, which is currently centered in Laguna where Mitsubishi and Toyota operate.

Vingroup has committed to the Department of Trade and Industry’s Electric Vehicle Incentive Strategy, qualifying for incentives of up to P15 billion per model and surpassing the program’s minimum investment and production thresholds. The company becomes the third automaker to express interest after Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. and Francisco Motors, as the Board of Investments seeks to lock in participants before year-end to start construction and trial runs by 2027 ahead of commercial EV sales in 2028, before the end of President Marcos’ term.