VinFast’s SWOT analysis: EV maker’s stock faces growth hurdles amid expansion

Published 17/09/2025, 15:44
VinFast’s SWOT analysis: EV maker’s stock faces growth hurdles amid expansion

VinFast Auto Ltd. (NYSE:VFS), the Vietnamese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer backed by Vingroup, has been making waves in the automotive industry with its focus on affordable EVs and ambitious expansion plans. With a market capitalization of $7.46 billion, VinFast has emerged as a prominent player in the global EV market. As the company navigates through a critical phase of growth, investors and analysts are closely watching its performance and future prospects.

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Company Overview

VinFast, established as a subsidiary of Vingroup, has positioned itself as a producer of affordably-priced electric vehicles with a strong presence in Vietnam and Asia. The company’s strategy revolves around leveraging its vertical integration and manufacturing base in Vietnam to create a competitive edge in the rapidly evolving EV market.

Financial Performance

VinFast’s financial results have shown a mix of promising growth and ongoing challenges. The company has demonstrated strong revenue growth of 86% over the last twelve months, with Q2 2025 revenue reaching approximately $663 million and vehicle deliveries hitting 35,837 units. This performance was primarily driven by the popularity of its VF3 and VF5 models. According to InvestingPro data, however, the company faces profitability challenges with a gross profit margin of -46.28%.

However, the company’s profitability remains a concern. Gross margins in Q2 2025 were reported at around -41%, which fell below analyst estimates. While this represents an improvement from previous quarters, it underscores the ongoing challenge of achieving profitability in the competitive EV sector.

The adjusted EBITDA loss and net loss for the quarter were higher than expected, although they showed improvement compared to the previous year. These figures highlight the substantial investments VinFast is making in its growth strategy and the financial hurdles it faces in scaling its operations.

Looking back at the first quarter of 2025, VinFast had reported revenue of approximately $656.5 million, significantly up from $271.9 million in Q1 2024. This growth was attributed to 36,330 vehicle deliveries, which exceeded expectations. However, the company also faced an adjusted EBITDA loss of $396 million and a net loss of around $712.4 million during that period.

Manufacturing and Expansion

VinFast’s growth strategy heavily relies on expanding its manufacturing capabilities. The company is set to open a new facility in Ha Tinh, Vietnam, in the second half of 2025, which will have an annual production capacity of 200,000 EVs. This expansion is crucial for meeting the increasing demand for its vehicles.

In addition to its Vietnamese operations, VinFast is making strategic moves to establish a global manufacturing footprint. New facilities in India and Indonesia are scheduled to commence operations in 2025, each with an initial capacity of 50,000 vehicles annually. These expansions are expected to increase VinFast’s total manufacturing capacity to approximately 600,000 vehicles per year, positioning the company to meet its ambitious delivery targets.

Market Position and Strategy

VinFast’s market strategy capitalizes on its vertical integration and manufacturing base in Vietnam. These factors may help the company mitigate the impact of tariffs and changes in EV tax credits, particularly in markets like the United States. The company’s primary focus remains on serving the Vietnamese and Asian markets, where it sees the majority of its sales.

The expansion of VinFast’s global presence is evident in its growing network of charging points and showrooms. As of April 2025, the company reported over 1 million charging points and 388 showrooms worldwide, indicating a strong push to increase its market reach and brand visibility.

Future Outlook

VinFast’s future prospects are closely tied to its ability to execute its growth strategy while improving its financial performance. The company maintains an optimistic delivery guidance for fiscal year 2025, expecting to at least double its vehicle deliveries compared to FY 2024, when it delivered 97,339 units. Analyst targets currently range from $5.50 to $6.00 per share, suggesting potential upside from current levels, though InvestingPro’s Fair Value analysis indicates the stock may be overvalued at current prices.

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Analysts project EV deliveries of 173,650 for FY 2025 and 202,000 for FY 2026, reflecting confidence in VinFast’s ability to scale its operations. However, achieving these targets will depend on the successful ramp-up of new manufacturing facilities and the company’s ability to navigate supply chain challenges.

A critical milestone for VinFast will be achieving positive gross margins, which management aims to reach in the first half of 2026. This goal underscores the company’s focus on improving operational efficiency and reducing production costs.

The company’s liquidity position, reported at around $2.4 billion as of Q1 2025, including cash on hand and funding from Vingroup, provides some financial flexibility as it pursues its expansion plans. However, InvestingPro analysis reveals that VinFast is quickly burning through cash and its short-term obligations exceed liquid assets, with a current ratio of 0.47.

Bear Case

Can VinFast overcome its current profitability challenges?

VinFast’s path to profitability remains a significant concern for investors. The company continues to report substantial losses, with gross margins still in negative territory. The high cost of goods sold is putting pressure on profitability, and there’s uncertainty about how quickly VinFast can achieve economies of scale to reverse this trend.

The company’s ambitious expansion plans, while necessary for growth, also contribute to ongoing losses. The capital-intensive nature of establishing new manufacturing facilities and expanding into new markets could strain VinFast’s financial resources before it reaches a sustainable level of profitability.

Will supply chain disruptions impact VinFast’s growth plans?

The global automotive industry continues to face supply chain challenges, and VinFast is not immune to these issues. Disruptions in the supply of critical components, such as semiconductors and battery materials, could hinder the company’s ability to meet its production and delivery targets.

As VinFast expands its operations across multiple countries, managing a complex global supply chain becomes increasingly challenging. Any significant delays or disruptions could lead to production bottlenecks, increased costs, and potential delays in new model launches, all of which could negatively impact the company’s growth trajectory and financial performance.

Bull Case

How will VinFast’s vertical integration strategy benefit the company long-term?

VinFast’s vertical integration strategy could provide significant long-term advantages. By controlling more aspects of its supply chain and production process, the company has the potential to reduce costs, improve quality control, and enhance its ability to innovate rapidly.

This integrated approach may also help VinFast navigate trade barriers and regulatory changes more effectively than some of its competitors. As the EV market becomes increasingly competitive, the flexibility and cost advantages offered by vertical integration could become a crucial differentiator for VinFast.

Can VinFast’s focus on affordable EVs drive significant market share growth?

VinFast’s strategy of producing affordably-priced electric vehicles aligns well with the growing demand for accessible EVs, particularly in emerging markets. As EV adoption accelerates globally, VinFast’s positioning could allow it to capture a significant share of the market, especially in price-sensitive regions.

The company’s strong presence in Vietnam and its expansion plans in other Asian markets give it a foothold in some of the world’s fastest-growing automotive markets. If VinFast can successfully leverage its cost advantages and local market knowledge, it could potentially outpace competitors in these key growth regions.

SWOT Analysis

Strengths:

  • Vertical integration providing cost and flexibility advantages
  • Strong backing from Vingroup enhancing financial stability and brand credibility
  • Manufacturing base in Vietnam offering potential cost benefits
  • Focus on affordable EVs aligning with market demand

Weaknesses:

  • Current profitability challenges with negative gross margins
  • High production costs impacting overall financial performance
  • Limited global brand recognition compared to established automakers

Opportunities:

  • Expansion into new markets, particularly in Asia
  • Increasing global EV adoption rates
  • Potential for technological advancements in EV manufacturing

Threats:

  • Supply chain disruptions affecting production capabilities
  • Intense competition in the global EV market
  • Potential slower-than-expected customer adoption rates
  • Regulatory changes in key markets impacting EV incentives

Analysts Targets

  • Cantor Fitzgerald: $6.00 (Overweight) - September 5th, 2025
  • Cantor Fitzgerald: $6.00 (Overweight) - June 10th, 2025

This analysis is based on information available up to September 17, 2025.

InvestingPro: Smarter Decisions, Better Returns

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