For many Filipinos, owning a car is no longer simply a personal milestone. As traffic congestion and public transportation challenges continue to affect daily commutes, private vehicles have become an increasingly practical necessity.
Metro Manila motorists lost an average of 143 hours to traffic in 2025, according to the TomTom Traffic Index. Despite rising costs and worsening congestion, demand for new vehicles remained strong.
Data from the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc. and the Truck Manufacturers Association showed that 491,395 vehicles were sold in 2025, surpassing the 467,252 units recorded in 2024 and marking another all-time high for the local automotive industry.
Cars as income-generating assets
Car ownership has also evolved beyond personal mobility.
The rise of digital platforms, combined with the country’s transportation challenges, has created opportunities for Filipinos to turn their vehicles into income-generating assets. These include ride-hailing, shuttle services, tourism transport, and other mobility-based enterprises.
A 2025 Ipsos study found that approximately 9.9 million Filipinos participate in some form of gig work, with many using their own vehicles to supplement their income.
VinFast developed electric vehicles such as the VF 5 to support both everyday mobility and potential business use. The compact electric SUV is positioned to give first-time buyers the flexibility to meet daily transportation needs while exploring longer-term income opportunities.
Built for everyday life
A first car should make everyday journeys easier, and the VF 5 is designed with that purpose in mind. Its compact dimensions make it easier to navigate congested city streets and fit into tight parking spaces. Its elevated SUV stance also provides greater road visibility.
Inside, the cabin can accommodate up to five passengers, making the vehicle suitable for daily commutes, family outings, grocery runs, and weekend road trips. The VF 5 also features a digital cockpit and practical in-car technologies intended to make everyday driving more convenient.
Designed for business opportunities
The same qualities that make the VF 5 practical for everyday use can also support transport-based businesses.
Its all-electric powertrain can help reduce fuel and maintenance expenses compared with conventional gasoline-powered vehicles, allowing operators to manage daily operating costs more efficiently. The VF 5 offers a driving range of up to 326km based on the NEDC cycle. It also supports DC fast charging from 10% to 70% in approximately 33 minutes, helping reduce charging downtime and maximize time on the road.
The model’s potential for commercial use is already being demonstrated in Vietnam, where it serves as the primary vehicle of Green GSM, the country’s all-electric ride-hailing service. Its large-scale deployment shows how the VF 5 can support both personal mobility and demanding daily transport operations.
EV adoption continues to grow
Electric vehicle registrations in the Philippines reached 29,715 units during the first seven months of 2025, surpassing the 24,000 units registered throughout 2024, according to the Land Transportation Office. This growth is supported by the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act and the extension of zero-tariff rates on electric vehicles and their components through 2028.
These measures can help reduce acquisition costs for operators planning to establish or expand all-electric fleets. For Filipino entrepreneurs considering ride-hailing or transport-based businesses, lower operating costs and growing EV adoption may make electric mobility an increasingly viable option.
One vehicle, two possibilities
For many first-time buyers, purchasing a vehicle can involve choosing between personal needs and future business opportunities. The VinFast VF 5 is positioned to serve both purposes. It is practical enough for everyday family use while offering the efficiency and range needed for commercial operations. Rather than limiting owners to a single role, the vehicle can adapt to changing needs and different stages of ownership.
Data cited in the 2025 Ipsos Gig Life PH study showed that approximately 9.9 million Filipinos, or 22% of the employed population, participate in some form of gig work. Of these, 61% do so part-time to supplement income from a full-time job or an existing business.
Supporting the shift to electric mobility
Now entering its second year in the Philippines, VinFast continues to develop an EV ecosystem that includes vehicles, charging infrastructure, dealerships, and aftersales support. The company is supporting this ecosystem with ownership programs such as battery subscription, a resale value guarantee, and free charging through the V-Green network until March 31, 2029. These measures are intended to lower some of the barriers associated with switching to electric mobility.
Whether the goal is buying a first car or launching a first transport-based business, the VinFast VF 5 offers a single platform designed to support both journeys.
In Summary
The VinFast VF 5 is positioned as a compact electric SUV that can support both personal mobility and income-generating transport work. It seats up to five passengers, offers up to 326km of NEDC range, and can charge from 10% to 70% in approximately 33 minutes using DC fast charging. VinFast also supports ownership through its local charging, dealership, and aftersales ecosystem, including free charging on the V-Green network until March 31, 2029.