More on board

VinFast is entering the Philippine multi-purpose vehicle segment with two electric seven-seaters aimed at different buyers.

The VF MPV 7 is positioned as a family vehicle, while the VF Limo Green is intended for transport services and other businesses that keep vehicles on the road for long hours.

Their arrival gives VinFast a place in a segment long shaped by practical needs. Filipino buyers often choose MPVs because they can carry more passengers, handle school runs and errands, and still serve on long trips. Transport operators also depend on the same body style because it offers passenger space without moving into a larger van.

VinFast is betting that lower running costs and a different ownership model can draw buyers away from familiar gasoline and diesel choices.

The VF Limo Green targets ride-hailing drivers, fleet operators and passenger transport businesses. These users closely track fuel spending, maintenance costs and vehicle downtime because each one affects daily earnings.

As an electric vehicle, the Limo Green removes regular fuel expenses and has fewer mechanical parts that require routine servicing. Electricity costs may also be easier for operators to plan than changing pump prices.

VinFast has tied the model to RENTAPASADA, a vehicle-rental program introduced during the 2026 Philippine International Motor Show. The initiative gives drivers access to VinFast EVs for work on the Green GSM transport platform. The Limo Green is one of the vehicles intended for this program.

The VF MPV 7 takes a more family-focused route. Its seven-seat cabin is meant to cover the changing needs of a household throughout the week. It can carry children and bags during daily trips, then take more passengers on weekends or longer drives.

VinFast is also using its battery subscription program to lower the amount paid when buying an EV. The battery is separated from the vehicle purchase, which can cut the initial price by about 20 percent. Owners then pay a monthly fee, while VinFast remains responsible for battery condition and maintenance.

The arrangement may appeal to buyers who worry about battery replacement costs and long-term performance. It also changes how resale value is viewed because the battery does not remain entirely with the vehicle owner.

VinFast also offers a Residual Value Guarantee program. Under set conditions, it can protect up to 90 percent of the vehicle’s original value. This addresses another common concern among EV buyers, particularly in a market where used-car prices influence purchase decisions.

Charging support comes through VinFast’s partnership with V-Green. Customers can use free charging until March 2029 as the charging network continues to expand.

Rhomel Franco, chief executive officer of VinFast Philippines, said the company wants to do more than sell vehicles.

“When VinFast entered the Philippines, we did not want to focus only on selling cars. We wanted to find ways to make electric mobility work in the real world,” Franco said.

The VF MPV 7 and VF Limo Green give VinFast two routes into the seven-seat market. One is aimed at households. The other is built around passenger work and daily business use. Both rely on lower operating costs, battery support and charging access to make electric ownership easier to consider.