Vietnam’s automobile market grew by 31.1 per cent year on year in the first half of 2026, the fastest expansion among six major Southeast Asian markets, according to a report by PwC. The increase was supported by rising demand for electric vehicles and an 83 per cent jump in hybrid sales.
Combined vehicle sales across Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines and Singapore reached approximately 1.76 million units, up 11.1 per cent from the same period in 2025. Vietnam recorded the strongest growth, ahead of Indonesia at 15.9 per cent and Thailand at 15.1 per cent.
Domestic manufacturer VinFast played a significant role in Vietnam’s expansion. The company delivered 115,916 electric vehicles in the country between January and June, a 72 per cent increase from a year earlier. Its Limo Green and VF 3 models were its best-selling vehicles during the period, with 27,927 and 23,781 deliveries respectively.
Imported-vehicle demand also increased, rising by 23 per cent, according to PwC’s Overview of the ASEAN-6 Automotive Market report. The figures point to growing competition between domestic manufacturers and international brands as consumers gain access to a wider range of vehicle options.
The wider regional market showed mixed performance. Singapore’s vehicle sales increased by 6.9 per cent, while Malaysia recorded growth of 2.6 per cent. The Philippines was also included in the regional assessment.
Vietnam’s performance reflects the growing importance of electrification in Southeast Asia’s automotive sector. For manufacturers, the rapid shift in demand presents opportunities to expand production while competing on price, technology and local market reach.
