The latest report released by the Vietnam Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (VAMA) reveals that in May, Vietnamese customers purchased a total of 29,210 automobiles, marking a 13% growth compared to the same period last year.

Cumulative figures for the year so far show that Vietnam’s automobile sales have reached 131,044 units, according to VAMA’s report. This includes 62,764 domestically assembled vehicles and 68,280 imported ones.

In addition to the continued dominance of imported models in VAMA’s sales figures, the Vietnamese market in 2025 has witnessed a decline in the popularity of sedans, alongside a rising trend towards high-riding vehicles, including MPVs and SUVs across various segments.

Sedans Fall Out of Favor

Combining the sales reports from VinFast and TC Motor, the top 10 best-selling automobiles in Vietnam are led by three electric vehicle models from the VinFast brand.

As the second quarter drew to a close, the VinFast VF 3 temporarily claimed the title of Vietnam’s best-selling automobile, with cumulative sales surpassing 19,400 units. The VinFast VF 5 followed closely with 18,752 units sold to Vietnamese customers since the beginning of the year, while its “big brother,” the VinFast VF 6, recorded sales of 7,307 units.

Electric Vehicles Gain Traction, Sedans Lose Appeal

Top 10 Best-Selling Automobiles in Vietnam for the First Five Months (Data Source: VAMA, TC Motor, VinFast)

Brand VinFast VF 3 VinFast VF 5 VinFast VF 6 Mitsubishi Xpander Ford Ranger Mazda CX-5 Ford Territory Toyota Yaris Cross Toyota Vios Ford Everest
br 19,416 18,752 7,307 6,463 6,382 5,884 4,521 4,270 4,206 4,012

The former champion, Mitsubishi Xpander, recorded sales of 6,463 units since the beginning of the year, ranking just above the Ford Ranger with 6,382 units. The top 10 best-sellers in Vietnam for the first five months also include models such as the Mazda CX-5 (5,884 units), Ford Territory (4,521 units), Toyota Yaris Cross (4,270 units), and Ford Everest (4,012 units).

Toyota Vios, with sales of 4,206 units so far this year, is the only low-riding vehicle to make it to the top-selling list in Vietnam. This places the Toyota Vios as the best-selling sedan in the B-segment and solidifies its position in the overall market’s top-selling list, a title it previously held in 2022.

If we exclude pure electric vehicles from the rankings, two other popular sedans in the B-segment, the Honda City and Hyundai Accent, would make an appearance in the top 10 best-selling automobiles. However, their positions in the sales statistics for the year so far are not particularly high, only ranking above the Mitsubishi Xforce.

Sedans are noticeably absent from the list of Vietnam’s top 10 best-selling automobiles. Image: TMV.

The above list reflects a clear purchasing trend in the Vietnamese market, with customers favoring high-riding vehicles over traditional sedans.

During the period from 2020 to 2022, low-riding and affordable models like the Toyota Vios and VinFast Fadil still managed to lead the overall market in terms of sales.

However, the past two years have witnessed a shift in preferences, with the Mitsubishi Xpander and VinFast VF 5, both high-riding vehicles offering spacious interiors or the novelty of electric propulsion, taking the top spots.

The Electric Wave

Sales consultants from several Korean and Japanese automotive brands shared with Tri Thuc – Znews that business performance in the early part of the year has been less than ideal.

“All models have seen rather weak demand,” said a sales consultant from a Korean automotive brand.

This decline in sales could be attributed, in part, to the strong wave of electrification that has been sweeping through the Vietnamese automotive market recently.

Following VinFast’s lead, numerous Chinese electric vehicle brands, including Wuling, BYD, and Aion, have entered the Vietnamese market. MG, a well-known brand under the SAIC Motor umbrella, has also joined the fray with an electric SUV and sports car.

BYD is one of the Chinese automotive brands that has recently entered the Vietnamese market. Image: Phuc Hau.

Other Chinese brands like Omoda and Jaecoo have hinted at plans to introduce electric models after already launching hybrid plug-in and affordable gasoline-powered vehicles in Vietnam. Zeekr, a brand under the Geely umbrella, is also expected to enter the market soon, offering additional electric vehicle options in the near-premium segment.

Electric vehicles have become a high priority for Vietnamese customers due to their exemption from registration fees, regardless of whether they are domestically assembled or imported. This can result in significant savings, ranging from tens of millions to hundreds of millions of dong in vehicle registration costs.

Recognizing this trend, conventional internal combustion engine automakers have responded by offering promotions that cover the full cost of registration fees. However, sales figures for many models in 2025 have yet to reach comparable levels. In fact, the VinFast VF 3, with sales of over 19,400 units, is outselling the former champion, Mitsubishi Xpander, by a factor of three during the first five months of the year.

When compared to the Toyota Vios, the VF 3’s sales are approximately 4.6 times higher.

The VinFast VF 3 is currently Vietnam’s best-selling model. Image: VinFast.

The influx of Chinese brands offering affordable models is believed to create significant pressure on the existing market players. While it’s too early to draw conclusions, the availability of cheaper alternatives may cause Vietnamese customers to hesitate before committing to the more familiar models that have been on the market for years.

Chinese vehicles may not be easy to sell, but the pressure from the influx of new models and their aggressive marketing strategies is making life difficult for Korean and Japanese brands.

For sedans, in particular, May saw a noticeable decline in the D-segment, with even significant price reductions failing to boost sales for these million-dollar vehicles that once symbolized luxury in Vietnam.

Mazda6 and Honda Accord failed to sell any units in May. Kia K5 managed a meager 17 units, while the Toyota Camry, the best-selling model in this segment, saw a decrease in sales, reaching only 239 units.

Currently, sedans in the B-segment, benefiting from their affordable price points, are still able to secure a spot in the top 10 best-sellers. However, it is likely that sedans in the C and D segments will continue to lose market share in the long run due to the rising popularity of high-riding vehicles, electric models, and the wave of Chinese automobiles.

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