Imported cars increase rapidly, more diverse supply
According to preliminary data from the Customs Department, in July 2026, Vietnam imported 27,686 completely built-up cars, worth 597.25 million USD. Compared to the previous month, the number of imported cars increased by 8.1%, while the value increased by 3.1%. Compared to the same period in 2025, the number of cars increased by 47.56% and the value increased by 40.79%.
Accumulated in the first 7 months of the year, Vietnam imported 148,696 completely built-up cars, with a total value of about 3.46 billion USD. The number of cars increased by 22.4% and the value increased by 30.3% compared to the same period last year. The average import price reached about 23,241 USD/car.
The above developments show that the supply of imported cars is increasing significantly, in the context of the Vietnamese automobile market maintaining its growth momentum. According to data from the Vietnam Automobile Manufacturers Association (VAMA), sales of member units in July reached 33,707 vehicles, an increase of 8% compared to the previous month. Overall for 7 months, sales reached 221, 540 vehicles, an increase of 14% compared to the same period in 2025.
In July, VAMA members sold 19,909 completely built-up imported vehicles, an increase of 9% compared to the previous month. Meanwhile, domestically produced and assembled vehicles reached 13,798 vehicles, an increase of 7%.
By supply, ASEAN continues to be the largest supplier of completely built-up cars to Vietnam. In July, the volume of cars imported from this region reached 21,231 units, worth 369.77 million USD.
Accumulated for 7 months, Vietnam imported 101,936 completely built-up cars from ASEAN, accounting for about 68.55% of total car imports. Indonesia and Thailand continue to be the two key suppliers in the region.
Besides ASEAN, the import volume of cars from China also increased significantly. In the first 7 months of the year, Vietnam imported 39,697 cars from this market, an increase of 45.81% compared to the same period last year.
Increased supply from many markets helps the product portfolio in the Vietnamese market become more diverse. Consumers have more choices in terms of design, equipment, technology and powertrain.
In particular, imported cars have an advantage in bringing some new car models or new versions to the Vietnamese market. This is also a factor creating more competitive pressure on domestically assembled products.
Buyers have more choices
The increase in imported cars is creating clearer competition between products in the same segment. When supply is abundant, buyers have more basis for comparison in terms of equipment, technology, operating capabilities, fuel consumption and after-sales service.
For car manufacturers, this change also requires products to be more competitive. Not only design or engine, factors such as driver assistance systems, connectivity, comfort and electrochemical choices are increasingly of interest to consumers.
However, the sharp increase in imported cars does not mean that domestically assembled cars lose their role. Domestic automobile production still maintains its growth rate. According to data from the Statistics Office, in the first 7 months of the year, domestic automobile manufacturers produced about 325,400 vehicles, an increase of 24.3% compared to the same period in 2025.
Thus, the market is forming parallel competition between imported cars and domestically produced and assembled cars. In which, increasing supply from abroad can encourage domestic enterprises to improve products and sales policies to maintain market share.
For consumers, this competition brings certain advantages. Instead of just choosing in the group of products available from domestic factories, customers have more and more options in each segment.
In the last months of the year, as manufacturers continue to launch new products to the market, the supply is forecast to continue to be diverse. Competition between car models may therefore become stronger, while buyers have more opportunities to choose products that suit their needs and financial capabilities.
