New electric vehicle manufacturer VinFast of Vietnam is quietly gaining in its India plans. Its most recent introduction: the Vinfast Limo Green, a 7-seater electric MPV was caught doing first time testing on Indian roads, indicating that it is likely to be introduced in the country soon.
First sighting: What do we see?
The test mule of VinFast Limo Green is highly disguised, but he tells a definite tale. Its erect position, massive glasshouse, and high roofline are an indication of three-row seating and family (or fleet) use.
Important measurements: approximately 4.74 m in length with a wheelbase of 2840mm. Ground clearance is approximated at about 170mm.
Powertrain preview A 60.1 kWh battery was matched to a front-motor supplying approximately 201 bhp ([?] 280 Nm torque). It has claimed certified range of approximately 450 km (NEDC) and charge faster at 10-70% within approximately 30 minutes.
Why this matters for India
The EV market of India is slowly evolving to more family-friendly with three-rows instead of the traditional two-row models – and Limo Green seems to be willing to take that step. A full electric VinFast Limo Green 7-seater should be considered an alternative to the families that used to buy diesel MPVs.
This can be supported by the production strategy: VinFast Tamil Nadu (Thoothukudi) plant will be geared towards the local manufacturing/assembling, which can contribute to the localisation, price and service presence.
VinFast Limo Green Game-changers & challenges.
Game-changers:
It is really useful to families in its true seven-adult accommodation (as opposed to occasional jump-seats).
Electric drive implies the more refined: there are no diesel vibrations and the cabin is quieter, not to mention the attractiveness of the zero tail-pipe output.
Should the local production be scaled, it might be possible to have competitive prices, which is important in the cost-conscious market of India.
Challenges:
The real world range will be more important than the headlines, particularly when fully loaded, and used in America, on the Indian roads and traffic. Although 450 km is touted, even in practical use there may be less (e.g., 320-350 km) of it.
Infrastructure infrastructure is still spotty in a large number of locations in India – family buyers are seeking convenience and reliability over specifications.
Service and spares network: Since VinFast is in the process of stocking Indian presence the aftermarket ecosystem can be behind the experience of established brands.
Pricing will be paramount. Although it might be loaded with features, when prices go beyond family budget ranges, many will remain on ICE options.
Competition: Who is it going to be competing with?
The competitors that the VinFast Limo Green will probably focus on include:
- The Kia Carens Clavis EV again is already becoming a 7-seater electric family car.
- BYD eMAX 7- another full-size electric multi-row-seating family car.
Here, success will be based on providing three-row practicality + electric advantages + competitive price.
Status quo – and future plans.
As the car is now being spotted in right-hand-drive form in India, it is evident that they are in testing.
Car and Bike
The most important follow-up items: the official release, the moment of launch, the assured specifications of the Indian variant, the price, the information on local manufacturing.
With some luck, then the Limo green would be available in the year 2026 and offer some families a real alternative to the conventional MPVs in terms of EV.
Final takeaway
To Indian consumers who desire space, comfort and zero-emission driving, the VinFast Limo Green offers an interesting combination: electric performance and the real three-row utility. However, the details will prove to be the devil: what is its range like, how quick (and convenient) the charging process will be, how the pricing will work, and how efficient the service support will be. In case VinFast gets them right, the Limo Green can be a significant competitor in the emerging EV-MPV market of India.
