Kumparan award highlights pace of ecosystem building and regional ambition

VinFast has been recognised in Indonesia for what judges describe as an unusually rapid and comprehensive contribution to the country’s electric vehicle transition. At the Kumparan Awards: Impact Makers 2025, the Vietnamese manufacturer received the award for “Impactful Transformation in the EV Ecosystem”, an accolade that reflects not only vehicle sales but the speed at which VinFast has sought to establish an end-to-end electric mobility ecosystem.

Organised by leading Indonesian digital media platform Kumparan, the annual awards recognise organisations and individuals delivering long-term, measurable impact for the country. In VinFast’s case, the judging panel cited the company’s contribution to emissions reduction, industrial development and consumer adoption of electric mobility, alongside what it described as a strong execution capability in a relatively short timeframe.

From market entry to ecosystem building

VinFast entered the Indonesian market less than two years ago, yet has already rolled out one of the most diverse electric vehicle portfolios available locally. Models introduced include the VF 3, VF 5, VF 6, VF e34 and VF 7, covering entry-level urban vehicles through to compact SUVs.

This breadth has been a deliberate strategy. Indonesia’s EV market is still in an early adoption phase, and affordability, range options and use cases remain key barriers. By offering multiple models rather than a single flagship vehicle, VinFast has attempted to address different consumer segments simultaneously.

According to the Kumparan jury, this approach, combined with supportive policies and partnerships, has helped accelerate consumer confidence. The panel noted that each “green kilometre” driven by VinFast vehicles contributes incremental long-term value through reduced emissions and lower dependence on fossil fuels.

Infrastructure, services and partnerships

Beyond vehicles, the award highlights VinFast’s emphasis on ecosystem development, an area where many EV entrants struggle. The company has pursued partnerships across charging, financing, sales and after-sales support, aiming to reduce friction points that often slow EV adoption.

Key collaborations include:

• GSM, an all-electric taxi operator, helping normalise EV use in daily transport.
• V-Green, a global charging infrastructure developer, supporting the rollout of charging networks.
• A growing network of dealers, service centres, banks and financial institutions, designed to support ownership, financing and maintenance.

Industry observers note that in markets like Indonesia, where EV familiarity is still developing, service availability and visible infrastructure can be as influential as vehicle pricing. VinFast’s strategy appears to recognise that ecosystem confidence, rather than individual product features, is often the deciding factor for first-time EV buyers.

Manufacturing and industrial impact

A significant milestone cited by the awards panel is the recent inauguration of VinFast’s facility in Subang, which is expected to create thousands of jobs and contribute to the development of Indonesia’s domestic EV supply chain.

Local manufacturing is a priority for Indonesian policymakers, who see electric mobility as a pathway to industrial upgrading, job creation and reduced fuel imports. VinFast’s investment aligns with this agenda, positioning the company not only as an importer but as a participant in the country’s longer-term industrial strategy.

The Kumparan jury described this move as evidence of a long-term commitment rather than a purely commercial market entry, noting that local production can help anchor skills development and technology transfer within the Indonesian economy.

Recognition within a competitive EV landscape

Indonesia has become a focal point for global EV manufacturers, driven by its large domestic market, nickel resources and supportive government policies. As competition intensifies, differentiation increasingly depends on execution speed, ecosystem depth and local engagement.

The “Impactful Transformation in the EV Ecosystem” award adds to a growing list of recognitions VinFast has received in Indonesia over the past year. These include honours from detikcom, CNN Indonesia, CNBC Indonesia and automotive industry bodies, covering areas from innovation and sustainability to specific vehicle models.

On a regional level, VinFast has also gained recognition beyond Indonesia. The company was ranked 101st by TIME Magazine in its Asia-Pacific’s Best Companies of 2025 list and secured multiple wins at the APAC Effie Awards, reflecting both brand growth and marketing effectiveness across the region.

Leadership perspective

Mr. Kariyanto Hardjosoemarto, CEO of VinFast Indonesia, described the Kumparan award as validation of the company’s direction rather than a final destination.

“Being honored with the ‘Impactful Transformation in the EV Ecosystem’ award is a meaningful recognition of VinFast’s persistent efforts to advance the green transition in Indonesia and the wider region,” he said.
“This award reaffirms the long-term vision we are pursuing: building a comprehensive, people-centric ecosystem that grows in harmony with society.”

He added that Indonesia holds particular strategic importance for VinFast, which the company increasingly refers to as its “second home” in Southeast Asia. The focus, he said, remains on expanding partnerships, improving accessibility and supporting Indonesia’s broader sustainability and energy independence goals.

The role of media-led impact awards

The Kumparan Awards: Impact Makers are positioned differently from traditional corporate awards. Launched in late 2025, the programme is built around the concept of “Lasting Impact”, with a three-stage evaluation process covering scouting, shortlisting and final selection.

Entries are assessed against four criteria: innovation capability, leadership, real-world impact and long-term influence. Kumparan states that its senior editorial team leads the judging process, guided by principles of integrity, credibility and independence.

For companies operating in sustainability-linked sectors such as electric mobility, such awards increasingly function as indicators of execution credibility rather than marketing success alone, particularly when they focus on measurable outcomes and ecosystem effects.

Looking ahead

VinFast’s recognition comes at a time when Indonesia is seeking to balance rapid economic growth with emissions reduction and energy security. Electric mobility is central to that ambition, but scaling adoption will depend on more than vehicle availability.

The company’s experience in Indonesia illustrates a broader lesson for the EV sector. Building trust in new mobility technologies often requires simultaneous investment in products, infrastructure, services and local capacity. Awards such as Kumparan’s suggest that stakeholders are paying close attention not only to ambition, but to how quickly and effectively it is translated into action.

As Indonesia’s EV ecosystem continues to evolve, the challenge for VinFast and its peers will be sustaining momentum, deepening local integration and demonstrating that early progress can be converted into durable, system-wide change.