VinFast Auto India, a subsidiary of global EV leader VinFast, has officially onboarded its first cohort of 200 locally recruited professionals at its upcoming EV manufacturing facility in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu. This marks the first step in a larger hiring plan to employ up to 3,500 people over the next five years.
The induction process is part of a structured talent development programme aligned with Naan Mudhalvan, the Tamil Nadu government’s flagship skill development initiative. All hires are undergoing training led by Vietnamese experts and seasoned Indian automotive professionals to meet international standards.
The onboarding effort is supported by the Guidance Tamil Nadu WorkLabs Cell, which connects academic institutions with industry needs, and was conducted in coordination with the District Collector’s office, local polytechnic colleges, and VinFast’s leadership team.
The recruitment drive held in April saw participation from over 340 diploma students across the region. The final selection included two months of institutional training followed by assessments and interviews, reflecting a strong public-private partnership model.
VinFast is adopting an 80:20 hybrid workforce model—80% of the workforce will be freshers from local communities, while 20% will comprise experienced professionals, including expatriates from leading OEMs.
Mr. Pham Sanh Chau, CEO of VinFast Asia, praised the collaborative efforts of the Tamil Nadu administration, saying, “As we ramp up our operations in India, we are proud to invest in the people and potential of Tamil Nadu.”
The Thoothukudi plant, with a projected capacity of 150,000 vehicles annually, is central to VinFast’s Asia growth strategy. The company is preparing to launch its VF 6 and VF 7 premium electric SUVs in India, supported by a growing dealership network and EV infrastructure rollout.
VinFast’s entry adds momentum to Tamil Nadu’s emergence as a leading hub for electric mobility and advanced manufacturing. Over last 1-2 years, several global and domestic manufacturers have announced major expansion plans in the state:
- Hyundai Motor India unveiled a ₹20,000 crore investment plan in January 2024 to ramp up EV production and establish a battery assembly unit near Chennai.
- TVS Motor Company announced in March 2024 its decision to scale up operations at its Hosur EV plant with new product lines and increased automation.
- BYD (Build Your Dreams), the Chinese EV major, began discussions in late 2023 about setting up large-scale assembly operations in Tamil Nadu to serve the Indian and export markets.
- Tata Electronics, a key Apple supplier, expanded its Hosur facility in early 2024 with plans to hire 5,000 additional workers to support electronics and component manufacturing.
- Pegatron, another Apple vendor, confirmed its second-phase investment in May 2024, boosting its existing footprint in the state’s electronics manufacturing cluster.
Together, these developments are expected to generate over 30,000 direct and indirect jobs across the state. They reinforce Tamil Nadu’s growing status as a national leader in industrial development, particularly in future-facing sectors like electric mobility, electronics, and clean energy.
