The Vietnamese automobile market is entering a new competitive phase as imported completely built-up cars increasingly account for a large proportion of sales. According to a sales report by the Vietnam Automobile Manufacturers Association (VAMA), total market sales in July 2026 reached 33,707 vehicles, up 8% compared to the previous month and 6% compared to the same period in 2025.
Notably, in July, completely built-up imported cars were sold 19,909 units, up 9% compared to June, while domestically produced and assembled cars reached 13,798 units, up 7%. Thus, imported cars continue to account for the majority of car sales in the data group compiled by VAMA.
The growth gap is increasingly clear
Looking at the accumulated results, the difference is even clearer. After 7 months, total market sales according to VAMA's report reached 221, 540 vehicles, an increase of 14% compared to the same period last year.
In which, completely built-up imported cars increased by 21%, while domestically assembled cars increased by 6%. The difference in growth rate shows that purchasing power is leaning more towards the imported car group, although domestically produced cars still maintain positive growth.
This is a noteworthy point of this year's car market. The problem is not that domestically assembled cars have reduced sales, but that the market expansion rate of imported cars is significantly faster.
In July, the sales of completely built-up imported cars were about 6,100 cars higher than domestically assembled cars. This trend takes place in the context of manufacturers and distributors continuously bringing new products to the market, while using many sales support programs to stimulate demand.
Import car supply increases sharply
The sales movement also goes hand in hand with the increase in the supply of completely built-up cars. According to published statistics, in July 2026 Vietnam imported an estimated 29,991 completely built-up cars, worth about 597 million USD, an increase of 17.1% in volume compared to the previous month. Accumulated for 7 months, the number of completely built-up cars imported is estimated at 178,223 units, an increase of 46.7% compared to the same period in 2025.
Meanwhile, domestically produced and assembled car production in July is estimated to reach 45,100 vehicles, down 9.3% compared to the previous month. However, in general for 7 months, production still reached about 325,400 vehicles, up 24.3% compared to the same period last year.
These figures show that the market is experiencing two parallel movements: the supply of imported cars is being boosted, while domestic production is still growing in volume but showing signs of adjustment each month.
Competition is not just about brand
The increase in imported cars poses a bigger problem for the domestic market: competition is taking place not only between brands but also between two supply models.
Imported cars have an advantage in the ability to quickly bring new products into the market, while domestically assembled cars have an advantage in proactive production and supply for models selected for assembly.
As the gap in products, equipment and selling prices is narrowing, the origin of the car may no longer be the only decisive factor in consumer choice. Price reduction programs, registration fee support, supply and car delivery time are also becoming direct competitive factors.
The July market shows that purchasing power is recovering, but this recovery is not taking place evenly across car groups. Imported cars are increasing faster and accounting for a larger proportion of sales.
If this trend continues in the last months of the year, competitive pressure on domestically produced and assembled cars will not only come from the increasing number of imported car models but also from the ability of import businesses to quickly respond to changes in buyer demand.
For consumers, this competition may offer more choices in terms of products and equipment. But for the domestic automobile manufacturing industry, the growth rate of imported cars also poses a problem of competitiveness, production efficiency and market response capacity in the new period.
