Vietnam’s car market rebounded strongly in September after the traditionally quiet Ghost Month, with sales rising 18% compared to the previous month. New data from the Vietnam Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (VAMA) shows that Vietnamese consumers continue to favor imported cars over domestically assembled ones.

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Compared to August, VAMA members' car sales increased by 18%. Source: VAMA

According to VAMA’s newly released report, total vehicle sales among its members in September 2025 reached 30,688 units. This figure includes 20,559 passenger cars, 9,535 commercial vehicles, and 594 specialized vehicles.

Compared to August, sales of passenger cars increased by 19%, commercial vehicles rose by 14%, and specialized vehicles surged by 97%. However, year-on-year, overall market sales still dropped by 16% compared to September 2024.

Cumulatively, VAMA members sold 251,421 vehicles in the first nine months of 2025, representing an 11.5% increase over the same period last year, when 225,583 units were sold.

Breaking this down, passenger car sales increased by 4%, commercial vehicles rose by 32%, and specialized vehicles soared by 70% compared to the first nine months of 2024.

In terms of vehicle origin, sales of domestically assembled cars in September reached 14,427 units, up 14% from August. Meanwhile, fully imported cars achieved 16,261 units, a 22% month-on-month increase.

This marks the seventh consecutive month in which imported vehicles have outsold those assembled within Vietnam.

Vietnamese still favor imports over local production

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Sales of imported cars continue to outpace domestically produced models. Source: VAMA

From January to September 2025, total sales of domestically assembled cars reached 119,918 units, an increase of 5.5% compared to the same period last year. In contrast, imported cars reached 131,503 units during the same period, up 17.5% year-on-year.

These figures reflect a clear trend: Vietnamese consumers continue to show a strong preference for imported cars, which are often perceived as having superior quality, technology, or brand prestige compared to their locally assembled counterparts.

It should be noted, however, that VAMA’s data does not include sales figures from the entire Vietnamese car market. Two major automakers with significant sales - VinFast and Hyundai - report their figures separately.

Vehicle production ramps up, price cuts expected

Vietnam’s domestic car manufacturing output is also showing strong signs of recovery. In the first nine months of 2025, local manufacturers rolled out an estimated 338,400 vehicles, representing a significant 52.7% increase compared to the same period in 2024.

With inventory levels rising, industry experts predict that automakers will implement aggressive promotional strategies, including deep discounts, to boost year-end sales. This trend is expected to benefit consumers, especially as the market enters its final quarter - typically the busiest time for vehicle purchases.

Other auto industry highlights

Meanwhile, the motorcycle market witnessed a surprising shift. After five consecutive months of growth, domestic production of motorbikes in September sharply declined. Experts warn this could affect supply levels and push up retail prices in the lead-up to the Lunar New Year.

In the passenger vehicle segment, several hybrid models from Germany, Japan, and China are scheduled to launch in Vietnam over the next two weeks, reflecting growing consumer interest in fuel-efficient alternatives.

Hoang Hiep