VinFast will deliver over 100,000 electric buses, cars and scooters to the DRC, while Ford admits a 10‑year battery gap and teams up with China’s CATL. Learn more.
Vietnamese conglomerate Vingroup has signed a three‑way memorandum of understanding with the city of Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, and local firm Exposure SARL. The agreement paves the way for an ambitious green‑mobility programme that will see more than 100,000 electric vehicles – from buses to cars and scooters – introduced to the Congolese capital.
Scope of the VinFast‑Kinshasa partnership
Under the MoU, VinFast will supply commercial‑grade electric vehicles manufactured in Vietnam, while Exposure will handle the import, distribution and local operating procedures. Kinshasa’s government will provide policy support, streamline legal frameworks and allocate the necessary infrastructure for charging stations and fleet supervision.
In the first phase, scheduled to finish by the end of Q1 2026, VinFast aims to deliver:
- ≈ 500 electric buses for public transport
- ≈ 1,000 electric cars for government fleets
- 10,000–20,000 electric cars for the general market
- 50,000–100,000 electric scooters for personal use
Beyond the vehicles, Vingroup has committed to training drivers, technicians and operations staff, as well as assisting in the design of electrified infrastructure to accelerate Congo’s transition to a low‑carbon future.
China’s booming electric‑bus exports
While VinFast expands into Africa, Chinese manufacturers are experiencing a surge in global demand for electric buses. According to Nikkei Asia Review, exports jumped 124 % in the first half of 2025, reaching 9,000 units worldwide.
In Southeast Asia, the momentum is palpable:
- Indonesia: Jakarta’s Transjakarta has already integrated more than 420 Chinese‑made electric buses, with a target of 10,000 units by 2030. A new assembly plant in Magelang (Central Java) is now operational to serve domestic demand.
- Malaysia: At least 146 electric buses operate on major routes, signalling a growing but still modest market share.
- Singapore & Philippines: Contracts with Chinese suppliers are underway, aiming to replace diesel fleets with clean‑energy alternatives.
Industry observers note that cybersecurity and technical standards remain challenges, yet the overall trend underscores a rising appetite for sustainable public transport and the increasing influence of Chinese EV manufacturers in the region.
Ford’s candid admission and strategic pivot
In a striking revelation, Ford Motor Company acknowledged that it lags roughly a decade behind Chinese rivals in electric‑vehicle battery technology. Rather than building a proprietary solution from scratch—a process Ford estimates could take up to ten years—the automaker has chosen to partner with China’s Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Limited (CATL).
Ford has terminated two major battery agreements with a South Korean partner and signed a deal to use CATL’s lithium‑iron‑phosphate (LFP) cells at its Michigan plant. The licensing arrangement gives Ford immediate access to proven manufacturing processes, compressing the timeline for mass‑producing competitive EVs.
Implications for the global EV landscape
The dual stories of VinFast’s African expansion and Ford’s reliance on Chinese battery tech illustrate a broader shift:
- Supply‑chain interdependence: Traditional automakers are increasingly dependent on Chinese component specialists to stay relevant.
- Emerging‑market opportunities: Companies like VinFast view Africa as a next frontier for electric mobility, leveraging Vietnam’s growing EV expertise.
- Regional competition: Chinese bus manufacturers are cementing their foothold in Southeast Asia, challenging legacy players.
Analysts predict that these dynamics will accelerate the global transition to electric transportation, prompting more cross‑border collaborations and faster technology diffusion.
Source: compiled from multiple news outlets.