Vietnam’s auto market entered July with a vibrant stimulus race as numerous automakers and dealers simultaneously launched major incentives, with some models discounted by hundreds of millions of dong.

In particular, the B-segment SUV/crossover, has become the focus with dense promotions, from best-sellers to less popular names all joining the price-cut race to gain market share.

In this segment, the Japanese-imported Subaru Crosstrek currently has the deepest discount, up to over VND200 million.

Subaru Crosstrek 2.0 i-S EyeSight version, listed at VND1.098 billion, is discounted by VND218 million to VND899 million. The high-end hybrid version, Crosstrek 2.0 i-S EyeSight e-BOXER Hybrid, listed at VND1.268 billion, is discounted by VND258 million to VND1.029 billion after incentives.

In terms of price, MG ZS is currently the cheapest B-SUV on the market. The ZS STD standard version, listed at VND518 million, is being sold by dealers at VND410–435 million, down about VND100 million from the listed price and even cheaper than many A-segment cars.

Notably, in the current B-SUV segment, not only slow-selling or niche models are cutting prices to “clear stock,” but even models consistently leading sales are also being deeply discounted to attract customers.

In July, Japanese automaker Mitsubishi and its dealers continue to heavily discount the best-selling B-SUV Xforce via vehicle registration fee support.

Specifically, tXforce GLX, listed at VND605 million, and Luxury, listed at VND665 million, enjoy 100 percent registration fee support, equivalent to VND60 million and VND66 million respectively. The top Xforce Ultimate, VND720 million, gets an incentive package worth VND55 million.

Xforce’s Japanese rival Toyota Yaris Cross is also seeing strong discounts, but at a “flat” level of VND50 million support for both gasoline and hybrid versions. After incentives, Yaris Cross’s actual price is only VND600–678 million.

Honda HR-V is not outside the July price-cut race. Under Honda Vietnam’s policy, customers buying the HR-V L, VND750 million, in July get 50 percent registration fee support, equivalent to VND37.5 million, bringing this version’s price down to VND712.5 million.

Meanwhile, from July 1, the listed retail price of the standard Honda HR-V G was adjusted down VND30 million to VND669–677 million depending on exterior color. Even so, after adjustment, Honda HR-V’s retail price remains among the highest in the B-segment high ground clearance car segment today.

Among South Korean cars, Hyundai Creta has a dealer cash discount program of up to VND75 million plus some physical gifts. With listed prices from VND599–715 million, the actual selling price of this B-SUV assembled by Hyundai Thanh Cong JV ranges only from VND530–640 million.

Another Korean-brand model, KIA Seltos, has its listed price cut across all naturally aspirated engine versions.

Specifically, Seltos 1.5L Premium is down VND10 million to VND689 million, Seltos 1.5L Luxury is down VND36 million to VND609 million, Seltos 1.5L Deluxe and Seltos 1.5L AT both down VND30 million to VND569 million and VND549 million respectively.

B-SUVs remain the hottest battleground in Q2

With the advantages of a compact design that is easy to maneuver in urban areas while maintaining a modern, sporty appearance, B-segment SUVs/crossovers are currently one of the most fiercely contested segments in the Vietnamese automobile market, with around 20 models available. The widespread wave of deep price cuts in this segment right at the beginning of the third quarter reflects increasingly intense competition.

A few years ago, the segment was largely dominated by Japanese and Korean brands, with familiar models such as the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos and Toyota Corolla Cross.

Today, however, the competitive landscape has changed significantly.

The arrival of numerous Chinese brands, along with the rapid rise of electric models from VinFast, has made competition fiercer than ever.

As Vietnamese consumers increasingly favor high ground clearance cars over traditional sedans, B-SUVs have emerged as one of the biggest beneficiaries of this shift. With typical prices ranging from VND600-800 million, they appeal strongly to first-time buyers and young urban families.

Analysts believe the current round of discounts is only the beginning of the year-end sales campaign.

From the third to the fourth quarter, as consumer demand strengthens and updated models and new products enter the market, competition in the B-SUV segment is expected to intensify further. 

Hoang Hiep