Overview
- BYD and VinFast dealers report surges in activity, with a BYD outlet in Manila logging a month’s worth of orders in two weeks and VinFast showrooms in Hanoi selling about 250 EVs in three weeks after visits quadrupled, though March sales totals are not yet out.
- Dealers from New Zealand to Thailand cite sharp increases, including a fourfold jump in EV and hybrid sales on March 14 in New Zealand and at least a 20% EV sales rise at MG outlets in Nakhon Ratchasima, leading to tighter inventories and growing waitlists.
- Laos moved to tilt costs in favor of EVs by cutting registration and service fees by 30% and raising fees on gasoline cars by an equivalent amount under emergency measures.
- Analysts warn that charging shortfalls and higher upfront prices outside China could restrain how long the current demand spike lasts.
- China stands to capture the largest gains as the world’s top EV producer, with overseas shipments of EVs and plug-in hybrids more than doubling in January–February, while Hyundai, Nissan and Tesla are also positioned to benefit.