Tesla opens company in Vietnam: Which models could hit the market?

Tesla Model 3: the most accessible option 

If Tesla officially begins selling cars in Vietnam, the Model 3 has a strong case to become one of the first products offered.

The electric sedan is currently distributed by Tesla in Southeast Asian markets including Thailand and Malaysia. Since early 2026, Thailand has received the Model 3 Standard, a version with fewer features designed to lower the price, imported from China.

The Model 3 Standard in Thailand is priced at 1.149 million baht, equivalent to about US$34,800. This price is for reference only. Any price in Vietnam would depend on the version, import source, taxes, shipping costs and Tesla’s strategy.

The car uses a single rear-mounted motor, accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.2 seconds and has a range of 534 km under the WLTP standard. Maximum DC fast-charging power is 175 kW.

To reduce the price, the Standard version omits some features, including a seven-speaker audio system, rear-seat heating and ambient interior lighting. It retains a 15.4-inch central display and panoramic glass roof.

In Malaysia, the Model 3 currently starts at RM149,000, equivalent to about $36,700. The lineup also includes higher-end versions for customers seeking longer driving range or stronger performance.

Tesla Model Y could be hard to miss 

The second candidate is the Model Y. While the Model 3 represents the sedan segment, the Model Y would allow Tesla to enter Vietnam’s increasingly crowded electric SUV market.

The Model Y is one of Tesla’s key models in Southeast Asia. In Thailand, it starts at 1.719 million baht ($51,800).

The Model Y has an advantage in its SUV design, cabin space and driving range. Some configurations can travel more than 600 km on a single charge under the WLTP standard, while also supporting high-power DC fast charging.

The model also fits Vietnam’s strong preference for SUVs. If Tesla wants to build sales rather than simply generate brand buzz, the Model Y could play an important role in its lineup. 

Tesla Model Y L: a notable six-seat electric SUV

The Model Y L could also appeal to families. In Thailand, it is priced at 1.999 million baht ($60,300).

This is an extended version of the Model Y, with a larger body and a six-seat, three-row configuration. The second row consists of two individual seats, setting it apart significantly from the standard Model Y.

The version being introduced in Thailand uses two electric motors combined with all-wheel drive.

According to Tesla, the Model Y L can travel 681 km under the WLTP standard and accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.5 seconds. The three-row layout also allows the vehicle to appeal to customers looking for an SUV for family use.

If introduced in Vietnam, the Model Y L would be a relatively distinctive product in Tesla’s lineup, combining an electric SUV design with a six

Tesla Cybertruck has previously appeared in Vietnam

The Cybertruck is another model worth mentioning. It is listed on Tesla’s Thailand website, although it has not yet officially gone on sale.

The Cybertruck is also no stranger to Vietnamese consumers. One was previously spotted in Ho Chi Minh City after being privately imported by a luxury car dealer.

The vehicle was a Foundation Series version, a production line designed for Cybertruck’s first customers. When sold in the United States, the Foundation Series package once increased the price by $20,000 compared with the corresponding standard version.

The Cybertruck has drawn attention mainly for its design, which is entirely different from traditional pickup trucks. Its body uses stainless steel panels with angular surfaces and almost none of the curves typically seen on automobiles.

The cabin follows Tesla’s signature minimalist style, with a large central screen handling most functions. Notable features include a multi-speaker audio system, wireless phone charging, USB-C ports, air conditioning with an air filtration system and a glass roof.

In the Cyberbeast configuration previously seen in Vietnam, the electric powertrain delivers strong acceleration, turning the full-size pickup into one of Tesla’s highest-performance products.

However, the Cybertruck would face more challenges than the Model 3 or Model Y if Tesla wanted to distribute it widely in Vietnam. Its large size, distinctive design, price and vehicle inspection requirements would make it difficult to position as a mass-market product.

Tesla’s incorporation of a legal entity in Vietnam does not mean the company has confirmed plans to distribute vehicles there. Tesla has not yet announced its product lineup, pricing or sales launch date for the Vietnamese market.