VinFast launches online platform for vehicle sales

MANILA, Philippines — VinFast Auto Philippines Corp., which unveiled an online platform for selling vehicles, expects total sales to exceed 8,000 units this year.

VinFast Auto Philippines deputy CEO for sales Victor Jose Vela told reporters yesterday that the firm expects total sales to exceed 8,000 units by year-end.

He said this year’s expected sales are higher than last year’s sales of around 1,000 units.

Latest data from the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. and Truck Manufacturers Association Inc. showed that VinFast Auto Philippines’ sales from January to September reached 5,417 units, a dramatic 4,610-percent increase from just 115 units sold in the same period last year.

Vela said the firm expects to sell around 1,000 units per month from October to December.

To boost sales, the firm launched its online-to-offline (O2O) platform yesterday, where customers can buy vehicles.

“We don’t have the exact figures yet, since this will be our initial run. But we hope to contribute significantly to the volume of sales,” Roxildes Lacerna, deputy CEO of O2O at VinFast Auto Philippines, told reporters when asked for an outlook on sales made through the platform.

He said the O2O platform was launched in response to inquiries the company received through its website and social media channels.