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Vietnam-born electric vehicle maker VinFast is taking a decisive step in reshaping Mindanao’s transport landscape with the opening of its first dealership in the region. This move marks a new chapter in the adoption of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) in the Southern Philippines.
Located at Santa Lucia Mall in Buhangin District, Davao City, the new showroom is operated in partnership with HighGear Concepts, Inc. The dealership introduces Davaoeños to VinFast’s growing lineup of EVs and reinforces the brand’s ambition to make clean mobility accessible beyond Metro Manila.
The Davao opening comes as VinFast continues its rapid national rollout following its entry into the Philippine market in 2024. In less than a year, the company has already established 23 showrooms in Manila and is steadily expanding into other major urban centers. By the end of the year, VinFast expects to operate 30 dealerships nationwide, a bold footprint for a relatively new entrant in the local automotive sector.
First Mindanao Dealership Brings EVs Closer to Davaoeños
The new VinFast dealership in Davao is more than just a showroom. It will also serve as a full-service center for VinFast vehicles, supported by HighGear Concepts’ after-sales network across the city. This integrated approach ensures that customers can purchase, maintain, and service their BEVs locally, reducing one of the common barriers to EV adoption in the provinces.
On display are VinFast’s popular electric models, including the VF 3, VF 5, VF 6, VF 7, and VF 9. These vehicles are positioned to meet the needs of both urban commuters and families looking for future-ready mobility options.
“VinFast’s range of new-energy automotive innovations complements Davao City’s sustainable mobility transformation,” Lyndon Ong, spokesperson of HighGear Concepts, Inc., said.
“We are elated to be the first to bring and introduce VinFast’s next-generation mobility solutions to Davaoeños.”
As cities outside Metro Manila pursue greener transport strategies, the company is aligning itself with local development goals.
“Our new dealership in Davao City marks the start of VinFast’s expansion in the region. We hope that our presence here will bolster the city’s mobility transformation and help make green mobility more accessible for more Davaoeños and Mindanaoans in the years ahead,” explained VinFast Southeast Asia CEO Toti Zara.
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Electric Taxis Add Momentum to the City’s Green Shift
VinFast’s push into Davao is being reinforced by developments in the electric transport services sector. Aside from VinFast, Vietnam-based firm Green and Smart Mobility Joint Stock Company (GSM) is also moving to roll out all-electric taxi operations in the city, bringing commercial-scale EV usage into Mindanao.
According to the Davao City Investment Promotions Center (DCIPC), the two companies have already earmarked an initial $500 million investment for their Philippine operations, encompassing Metro Manila, Cebu, and Davao City, with a total pledge reaching up to $1 billion.
A shipment of 500 EVs manufactured by VinFast arrived at the Port of Davao in late October, laying the groundwork for the city’s upcoming electric taxi service.
Christian Cambaya, head of the DCIPC’s Investor Assistance and Servicing Unit, confirmed that Green GSM Philippines, the local subsidiary of GSM, has already been operating electric taxis in Manila and Cebu.
“GSM is looking for a distributor, but at the same time, it will also operate its own full e-taxis. It’s not just them operating,” he noted. “They are looking for partners to operate these e-vehicles. They are going to operate in Davao soon.”
Beyond vehicles, the investment includes the construction of charging stations across the city, a critical infrastructure component for scaling up electric mobility. Unlike conventional ride-hailing services that rely on diesel-powered fleets, GSM’s model is fully electric, positioning Davao as a potential showcase city for clean, app-based transport in the south.
The economic impact is expected to be significant. Once fully operational, the project is projected to generate up to 70,000 jobs nationwide, with around 20,000 positions created in the initial phase.
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A Turning Point for Mindanao’s Mobility Landscape
Taken together, VinFast’s new dealership and the impending launch of electric taxis represent a turning point for Davao City and Mindanao at large. The region, long seen as trailing behind Metro Manila in EV infrastructure, is now being positioned as a serious player in the Philippines’ transition to sustainable transport.
With the VinFast showroom offering a tangible entry point for private buyers and the GSM-backed taxi service introducing electric mobility into daily public use, the barriers to EV adoption are gradually being lowered. Consumers are no longer limited to seeing EVs on billboards or social media. They can now test, purchase, and maintain them locally.
For Davao City, these developments align closely with its aspirations to modernize transport systems while reducing environmental impact. The arrival of electric taxis and the expansion of charging infrastructure are expected to encourage both private motorists and fleet operators to consider BEVs as a viable alternative to traditional internal combustion vehicles.
As VinFast continues to scale across the country and GSM moves forward with its electric ride-hailing operations, Mindanao is emerging as a new frontier in the Philippines’ green mobility journey, powered by technology, long-term investment, local partnerships, and a shared vision for a cleaner, smarter future.
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