Vingroup Eyes Batangas for $500M EV Factory

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What Readers Should Know

Batangas is the preferred location for Vingroup’s proposed $500-million Philippine EV factory, according to Trade Secretary Cristina Roque. The planned facility would have annual capacity for 200,000 four-wheeled EVs, with possible completion by early 2028.

Key Takeaways

Vingroup is considering Batangas for a proposed $500-million EV manufacturing facility.
The company is scouting economic zones for a site of at least 300 hectares, with port access a key consideration.
Planned annual production capacity is 200,000 four-wheeled EVs, with completion potentially by early 2028.
Vingroup also intends to manufacture electric scooters locally at a later stage.
The company has expressed commitment to joining Evis, while implementing rules and a final factory site remain key next steps.

The proposed facility would produce up to 200,000 electric vehicles annually, with completion potentially targeted for early 2028.

Batangas has emerged as the preferred location for Vingroup’s planned $500-million electric vehicle factory in the Philippines, according to Trade Secretary Cristina Roque, potentially bringing the Vietnamese conglomerate’s automotive manufacturing operations to the country.

Roque said Vingroup is scouting economic zones in the province for a site spanning at least 300 hectares. Access to ports is a key consideration for the proposed facility of its automotive arm, VinFast.

The location remains under consideration. A final site selection and construction schedule were not detailed in the supplied report.

Port access puts Batangas in focus

For an automotive manufacturer, proximity to ports can help support the movement of components and finished vehicles. Batangas already serves as an important vehicle entry point, with Toyota and Mitsubishi among the major automotive importers using its port.

Both brands also have manufacturing or assembly operations in neighboring Laguna. A Vingroup facility in Batangas would expand the country’s automotive production footprint beyond that established base.

The proposed investment would also introduce additional local manufacturing capacity focused on electric vehicles.

Planned capacity of 200,000 EVs a year

Vingroup’s proposed factory is expected to have an annual production capacity of 200,000 four-wheeled EVs, with completion potentially by early 2028, according to the report.

That figure represents planned factory capacity rather than a confirmed annual production output. Actual production would depend on the project’s development and eventual operations.

The conglomerate also plans to manufacture electric scooters in the Philippines at a later stage, although a separate timetable was not provided.

For Filipino readers, the development matters because it could expand the country’s role in EV manufacturing alongside the growing availability of electric vehicles in the local market. Details on vehicle models, employment, and local supplier participation have yet to be specified in the supplied report.

EV incentives could support the investment

Roque said the Department of Trade and Industry had secured Vingroup’s commitment to participate in the Electric Vehicle Incentive Strategy, or Evis.

The program offers manufacturers up to ₱15 billion in incentives for each enrolled EV model, subject to its requirements.

Vingroup’s proposed $500-million investment would exceed the program’s stated ₱5-billion minimum investment requirement. Its planned annual capacity would also surpass the 10,000-unit minimum production threshold.

According to Roque, Vingroup would join Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. and Francisco Motors among the automakers expressing interest in the program.

Implementing rules remain a key next step

Roque said the government hoped to release the Evis implementing rules in October or November, following an earlier September target.

The Board of Investments, which will oversee the program, aims to secure interested manufacturers’ participation before yearend.

For now, the key developments to watch are the release of those rules, confirmation of Vingroup’s chosen site, and a firm project timetable. Batangas is the preferred option, but the proposed factory remains a planned investment.

Reader Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Has Vingroup confirmed Batangas as its factory location?

Batangas is the preferred location, according to Trade Secretary Cristina Roque, but the supplied report does not identify a finalized site.

How much does Vingroup plan to invest?

The proposed investment is $500 million.

What would the factory manufacture?

The planned facility would produce four-wheeled EVs. Vingroup also intends to manufacture electric scooters in the Philippines later.

When could the factory be completed?

The report identifies early 2028 as a possible completion target, rather than a confirmed opening date.

What is Evis?

The Electric Vehicle Incentive Strategy is a government program offering manufacturers up to ₱15 billion in incentives per enrolled EV model, subject to program requirements.