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The Vietnamese electric-vehicle maker said the proposed outlets would span Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, extending its reach beyond major centres such as Metro Manila and Cebu into markets including Cagayan de Oro, Tacloban and Subic Bay. The sites are expected to combine vehicle display, customer consultations, sales and after-sales services under VinFast’s global showroom standards.

The agreements, announced on September 11, bring together Elite North Auto Cars Inc., MG Gateway Mantrade Corp., Grand Canyon Multi Holdings Inc., Britannica United Motors Incorporated, VF Auto Sto Tomas Inc., GR8 Marketing Motors Inc., ARCMA Motors Corporation, Autonomics Motor Corp., Gershom Car Trading Corp., Areza Motor Sales Inc., Central Auto Resources Inc., Autolink Global Motors Inc. and Greenport Mobility Inc.

VinFast said the partners’ distribution experience and regional networks would help accelerate expansion and improve access to its electric cars and support services. The company did not disclose investment values, opening dates for individual locations or how many of the 27 sites would provide full workshop facilities.

Antonio Zara, chief executive of VinFast Southeast Asia, said the Philippines remained a key market in the company’s longer-term regional and global plans. He said VinFast was seeking to develop not only its retail footprint but also products, services, infrastructure and the wider electric-vehicle ecosystem, working with local partners to make battery-powered mobility more accessible.

The latest dealer push builds on a network expansion already under way. VinFast said in April 2025 that it had reached agreements with six Philippine dealers to establish more than 60 new showrooms, including planned locations in Metro Manila, Quezon City and other urban centres. Its third-quarter 2025 financial disclosure later said the company had nine showrooms operating nationwide, underscoring the gap between announced development plans and sites actually opened.

That distinction remains important for the new programme: the 27 outlets are covered by memoranda of understanding and are expected to be developed, rather than being newly opened locations. VinFast’s stated target is to develop a total network of 60 dealerships in the Philippines in 2026.

The company has also been adding after-sales and charging capacity as it seeks to reduce practical barriers to electric-vehicle ownership. VinFast previously signed an agreement with Motech aimed at bringing up to 63 service workshops into its authorised repair, warranty and maintenance network. It has also worked with other service partners and has promoted charging infrastructure through V-Green, the charging-network business associated with the wider Vingroup ecosystem.

VinFast entered the Philippine passenger-vehicle market with a battery-electric range that has included the VF 3, VF 5, VF 6, VF 7 and VF 9. At the Philippine International Motor Show in June 2026, the company displayed its broader mobility offering and highlighted programmes combining vehicle access, charging and transport services.

Its expansion comes as carmakers compete for position in a Philippine electric-vehicle market supported by government measures intended to encourage cleaner transport. The Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act established a national policy framework for EV adoption, charging infrastructure and industry development, while tariff measures have lowered import costs for qualifying electric vehicles and components.

Dealer coverage is a central challenge for newer entrants because buyers expect servicing, spare parts and warranty support alongside vehicle sales. VinFast has increasingly used local dealer partnerships across Southeast Asia and other markets rather than relying solely on company-owned retail outlets, allowing it to add sales points faster while drawing on established operators’ local knowledge.

The 13 new partners are expected to help VinFast reach customers across several island groups, where distribution and after-sales logistics can be more complicated than in a single contiguous market. VinFast has separately worked with logistics providers in the Philippines to support vehicle inspection, distribution and servicing as its product range expands.

The talks, held on the sidelines of the BRICS summit, focused on bilateral relations and the regional security situation. India’s Prime Minister reiterated that disputes should be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy and called for sustained efforts to secure lasting peace and stability, according to an official statement issued after the meeting.

Modi specifically highlighted the need to safeguard freedom of navigation and commerce and the safety and well-being of seafarers. The issue has become a central concern for New Delhi as attacks on commercial vessels and disruption to maritime routes in the region have affected trade and put crews at risk.

The meeting was Modi and Pezeshkian’s second in less than two weeks. They had met on August 31 on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Bishkek, where Modi also raised the protection of commercial shipping and seafarers and urged a diplomatic approach to the West Asia conflict.

Friday’s discussion came as the conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel continued to place pressure on strategic waterways and supply routes. India has sought to maintain working relations with Iran while also preserving close ties with Israel and Arab states, making maritime security and regional stability important economic as well as diplomatic priorities.

At least 10 nationals of India have been killed in attacks on vessels transiting the region during the conflict. New Delhi has condemned attacks affecting Gulf countries, energy infrastructure and commercial shipping, while repeatedly calling for de-escalation and protection of civilians and maritime workers.

The maritime threat has sharpened concerns over energy shipments through Gulf waters that remain critical to India’s oil and gas imports.

Modi reinforced the same message earlier on Friday at the BRICS Business Forum, saying global trade could advance only when sea lanes were secure, supply routes remained open and seafarers were safe. He described India as a firm supporter of freedom of navigation and the safety of maritime crews.

Pezeshkian, who was making his first visit to India as president, used his participation in BRICS meetings to press for stronger economic cooperation among members and protection of legitimate trade from political and military pressure. He argued that the grouping’s strength would be demonstrated by converting economic capacity into functioning networks for trade, investment and joint financing.

The Iranian president also called for greater use of national currencies in trade among BRICS members and said Tehran was prepared to work as a strategic partner in energy and transport supply chains. His remarks reflected Iran’s effort to reduce exposure to sanctions and other constraints on cross-border commerce.

During the bilateral meeting, Modi thanked Iran for maintaining high-level participation in BRICS-related meetings despite difficult circumstances. He said the grouping could strengthen resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability among countries of the Global South.

The two leaders also reviewed broader bilateral ties and cooperation in multilateral organisations. Modi welcomed continuing coordination on issues of mutual interest within BRICS, where Iran is a full member alongside Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa and other states that have joined the expanded grouping.

The talks followed Pezeshkian’s participation in the Leaders’ Session of the BRICS Business Forum. Modi thanked him for attending and said engagement between the two countries should continue across bilateral and multilateral channels.

The New Delhi meeting also built on the August 31 discussions in Bishkek, when Pezeshkian told Modi that Tehran favoured a negotiated solution to its confrontation with the United States. Modi at that meeting expressed concern over escalating tensions and said civilians, civilian infrastructure, commercial shipping and seafarers should not be harmed.

Under the agreements, the 27 VinFast showrooms are expected to be developed across all three major geographical regions of the Philippines: Luzon in the north, Visayas in the central region, and Mindanao in the south. The network will strengthen VinFast’s presence in major urban centers such as Metro Manila and Cebu, while extending its reach to new, high-potential areas including Cagayan de Oro, Tacloban, and Subic Bay. This will bring VinFast’s electric vehicles and services closer to customers nationwide.

Developed in line with VinFast’s global standards, the showrooms will offer modern and convenient spaces where customers can learn about and experience the brand’s products, as well as access sales and after-sales services. The expanded network will also improve access to electric vehicles and related services, helping meet the growing demand for EVs in the Philippine market.

Supporting VinFast in the development of its new showroom network are 13 established local partners: Elite North Auto Cars Inc., MG Gateway Mantrade Corp., Grand Canyon Multi Holdings Inc., Britannica United Motors Incorporated, VF Auto Sto Tomas Inc., GR8 Marketing Motors Inc., ARCMA Motors Corporation, Autonomics Motor Corp., Gershom Car Trading Corp., Areza Motor Sales Inc., Central Auto Resources Inc., Autolink Global Motors Inc., and Greenport Mobility Inc.

These 13 companies bring extensive experience in automotive distribution in the Philippines and share VinFast’s commitment to advancing the green transition. Their market knowledge, operational capabilities, and extensive networks will provide additional momentum for VinFast to accelerate the development of its distribution system, expand customer access, and enhance service quality across the country.

Mr. Antonio Zara, CEO of VinFast Southest Asia, said: “The Philippines is one of the key markets in VinFast’s long-term growth strategy in the region and globally. Here, we are not only focused on expanding our sales network, but also on building a sustainable foundation for growth spanning products, services, infrastructure, and the broader EV ecosystem. With the support of our local partners, VinFast will continue to expand our operations in the years ahead, gradually making green mobility a more accessible and convenient choice for Filipino consumers.”

VinFast is steadily building a comprehensive “For a Green Future” electric vehicle ecosystem across key markets in Southeast Asia. In the Philippines, VinFast continues to invest in products, services, and infrastructure to make EV ownership as convenient as possible for customers. Alongside a diverse EV lineup and attractive customer support policies, VinFast is placing a strong focus on expanding its after-sales service network and charging infrastructure with the support of V-Green and local partners. Through these efforts, the brand reaffirms its long-term commitment to investing in the Philippines and supporting the country’s transition to green mobility.

Hashtag: #VinFast

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The latest additions include Zoho co-founder and chief scientist Sridhar Vembu, Angel One Group chief executive Ambarish Kenghe, Emergent founder and chief executive Mukund Jha and Canva country manager Chandrika Deb. Their participation was announced on September 10, extending a lineup that already includes senior policymakers, fintech founders, researchers, venture investors and enterprise technology executives.

The summit, organised by YourStory, is scheduled for October 13 to 15 at the Sheraton Grand Bengaluru Whitefield Hotel and Convention Center. Its 2026 theme, “The New Tech Order”, centres on how AI, deep technology and new digital infrastructure are changing access to technology, business formation and the distribution of economic and technological power.

Among the previously announced speakers are Priyank Kharge, Karnataka’s Minister for Home, IT, BT and E-Governance; Krishna Byre Gowda, Minister for Greater Bengaluru Development; PhonePe founder and chief executive Sameer Nigam; and Pramod Varma, co-founder and chief architect of Networks for Humanity. The programme also lists Rahul Chari, founder and chief product and technology officer of PhonePe, and Manish Maheshwari, managing director for India at Stripe.

Organisers say the event is expected to draw more than 10,000 attendees, more than 500 speakers and about 300 investors. The official event website also lists more than 1,000 startups, while another event page refers to more than 200 participating startups, indicating that the figures represent different participation categories or programme groupings.

The first day is set to examine shifts in technological power, including AI as infrastructure, computing capacity, semiconductor supply chains, data ownership and the balance between technological sovereignty and globalisation. Other sessions are expected to address enterprise adoption of AI, startup financing, digital public infrastructure, climate technology, product development and the role of Bengaluru as a centre for technology-led businesses.

The breadth of the programme reflects a shift in concerns facing technology companies. Access to capital remains important, but founders are contending with computing costs, pressure to demonstrate AI products, scrutiny of data use and the need to build businesses capable of expanding without relying indefinitely on external funding. Investors are expected to examine those trade-offs as they assess companies operating across software, fintech, climate technology, mobility, health technology and deeptech.

Bengaluru’s civic and policy challenges are part of the agenda. Byre Gowda’s participation brings urban development into the discussion, while Kharge is expected to address the state’s role in supporting emerging technologies, entrepreneurship and digital infrastructure. Their presence links the startup programme with questions about how a technology centre manages infrastructure, talent, regulation and public services.

The speaker list spans established technology companies and younger ventures. It includes Anjali Bansal of Avaana Capital, Ashutosh Sharma of Prosus, Michael Cronin of Couchbase, Nagendra Nagaraja of QpiAI, Geetha Manjunath of Niramai Health Analytix, Nicolas Sauvage of TDK Ventures and Priyanka Agarwal Chopra of IIMA Ventures. Academic and research participants include Ashok Jhunjhunwala of IIT Madras and Shivkumar Kalyanaraman, chief executive of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation.

TechSparks will also host its Tech30 programme, which identifies 30 technology companies for a showcase at the summit. The 2026 selection process moved into its second stage on September 10, with shortlisted companies required to submit a more detailed application. The final cohort is scheduled to be locked by September 30 and presented during the event.

A separate VibeCode30 programme is aimed at AI-native builders, while ActionLabs and masterclasses are designed around hands-on problem solving and practical technology deployment. The event format also includes startup networking zones, an India-international corridor and a government pavilion.

Passenger-car exports reached more than 6.2 million units between January and August, according to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, already topping the roughly 6.04 million passenger vehicles exported during 2025. August shipments alone climbed 67.1% from a year earlier to about 890,000 units.

The milestone highlights how overseas demand has become an increasingly important outlet for China’s automotive manufacturing capacity while its home market weakens. Domestic passenger-car sales fell sharply in August, even as manufacturers pushed record volumes into foreign markets.

Exports of passenger vehicles measured by the China Passenger Car Association rose 77.5% year on year in August to 894,000 units. The association’s figures, compiled on a different basis from those of the broader industry group, also showed particularly rapid growth in exports of battery-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles, which rose 154.7% from a year earlier.

China’s wider vehicle export sector has expanded at a pace well above expectations set at the start of the year. Total vehicle exports exceeded one million units in a single month for the first time in June and remained above that level in July. The first half alone produced 5.096 million vehicle exports, up 65.3% from a year earlier.

New-energy vehicles have supplied much of the increase. Exports of such vehicles reached 553,000 units in July, up about 150% year on year, after crossing 500,000 for the first time in June. During the first seven months, China exported 2.909 million new-energy vehicles, more than double the level a year earlier.

Conventional fuel vehicles also continued to contribute. July exports of petrol and diesel vehicles totalled about 490,000 units, up 40% from a year earlier, showing that the overseas expansion is not confined to electric models.

The surge has pushed full-year expectations higher. S&P Global Ratings expects China’s passenger-vehicle exports to grow by roughly 50% to 70% this year. The China Passenger Car Association has projected overall vehicle exports could reach about 12 million units in 2026 if the current pace is sustained.

That trajectory would place exports far above the industry’s own initial forecast. CAAM said in January that it expected total vehicle exports of about 7.4 million units this year, an increase of just 4.3% from 2025, when all vehicle exports exceeded seven million.

Manufacturers are increasingly relying on international markets as sales at home come under pressure from softer consumer demand and intense price competition. BYD and Geely have been among the companies reporting record overseas deliveries, while other producers are accelerating plans to sell or manufacture vehicles outside China.

Europe, Latin America, Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Africa have become major destinations as companies diversify away from markets where tariffs are high. Chinese-built electric vehicles face additional duties in the European Union, while access to the United States remains constrained by steep tariffs and regulatory barriers.

Automakers have responded by building assembly plants and manufacturing bases abroad, a strategy that can reduce shipping costs, shorten delivery times and, depending on local rules, limit exposure to import duties. Several groups are also expanding dealer networks and adapting models to local safety, software and charging requirements.

Beijing has sought to curb practices it says could damage the industry’s overseas reputation. Authorities and industry bodies have urged manufacturers to avoid destructive price competition and disorderly exports as the scale of shipments rises, while companies have pledged to comply with guidance aimed at maintaining fair competition.

The automotive boom is also visible in China’s broader trade figures. Customs data showed the value and volume of car exports both increased by more than 50% during the first eight months, helping lift total goods exports by 14.6% in yuan terms from a year earlier.

  By R. Suryamurthy India’s trade with BRICS has expanded dramatically, but the numbers reveal an uncomfortable imbalance beneath the rhetoric about a multipolar world and alternative financial architecture. Between FY2021 and FY2026, India’s total merchandise trade with the 11-member grouping more than doubled, from $203.1 billion to $417.5 billion. Yet the expansion was overwhelmingly […]

The article Bricks cannot de-dollarise its way out of India’s huge trade imbalance appeared first on Latest India news, analysis and reports on Newspack by India Press Agency).

The caution comes after the Japanese currency surged to its strongest levels since February, helped by mounting conviction that the central bank will lift its policy rate at its September 17-18 meeting and by speculation that major domestic investors will shift more money out of overseas assets. The dollar fell below 153 yen this week before recovering some ground.

Barclays’ assessment challenges the increasingly bullish market view that the yen has entered a durable appreciation phase. The bank said the latest move has been driven by powerful expectations rather than a fully established change in capital flows or monetary policy, leaving the currency vulnerable if either catalyst disappoints.

Markets have moved close to fully pricing a quarter-point Bank of Japan increase to 1.25 per cent this month. Expectations strengthened after policymakers signalled greater concern over inflation and currency weakness. Board member Kazuyuki Masu said on Thursday that the central bank could be forced to raise rates more rapidly if underlying inflation accelerates, while stressing that decisions would depend on incoming data.

A survey of economists published this week also showed a broad expectation that the Bank of Japan will raise rates to 1.25 per cent in September, with further tightening projected during 2027. That outlook has encouraged investors to unwind positions built around Japan’s comparatively low borrowing costs and has increased demand for the yen.

The second pillar of the rally is the prospect that Japanese pension funds and other large institutions will direct more capital into domestic bonds and equities. Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama said in July that the government wanted pension funds, including the Government Pension Investment Fund, to make substantially greater investments in Japanese financial assets.

That statement triggered speculation that the GPIF, one of the world’s largest pension managers, could reduce its foreign exposure. Its portfolio stood at about 320.4 trillion yen at the end of June, with 25.59 per cent in domestic bonds, 24.48 per cent in domestic equities, 24.60 per cent in foreign bonds and 25.33 per cent in foreign equities, official data show.

A major change in those allocations could generate significant yen buying because foreign assets would have to be sold or currency exposure reduced. Rising Japanese government bond yields have strengthened the argument for keeping more capital at home. The 10-year government bond yield has reached levels not seen for decades, increasing the relative attraction of domestic fixed-income holdings.

Fitch Ratings said this week that higher Japanese yields could encourage banks, insurers and other institutional investors to retain more funds domestically. It also expects Bank of Japan policy rates to rise faster than markets had previously assumed, though it has not projected a wholesale withdrawal from overseas markets.

Evidence of repatriation has nevertheless remained mixed. The GPIF’s June-quarter figures showed domestic bond holdings rising in value while their portfolio share remained close to the fund’s 25 per cent strategic target. Foreign assets still accounted for roughly half of the portfolio, underscoring the scale of adjustment that would be required for pension flows to become a sustained source of yen demand.

The currency’s rise has also been reinforced by the unwinding of yen-funded carry trades, in which investors borrow cheaply in Japan to purchase higher-yielding assets elsewhere. Cross-border yen borrowing reached about 360 trillion yen in March, making abrupt changes in exchange-rate expectations capable of producing sizeable market moves.

The yen had fallen to around 164 per dollar in July before authorities in Japan and the United States intervened jointly in the foreign-exchange market. Its subsequent recovery accelerated this month as traders attached greater weight to tighter monetary policy and domestic capital repatriation.

The proposal is expected to feature at the BRICS leaders’ summit in New Delhi on September 12 and 13, where India, as this year’s chair, is seeking agreement on ways to lower the cost and speed up the settlement of trade, tourism and remittance payments among member states.

Reserve Bank of India Governor Sanjay Malhotra said last month that BRICS members were examining links between their fast-payment systems and central bank digital currencies, with a payments task force considering several options. He stressed that discussions remained at an exploratory stage and that no model had been agreed.

India’s preference is for interoperable national systems rather than either a common currency or centrally controlled BRICS payments architecture. Officials have framed the initiative around efficiency, cheaper transactions and use of sovereign currencies, distancing it from proposals that could be interpreted as an organised campaign to displace the US dollar.

That distinction has become politically important as BRICS members debate how far financial cooperation should go. Russia and some other members have advocated stronger alternatives to Western-dominated payment channels, while India has repeatedly ruled out backing a common BRICS currency and has resisted presenting financial initiatives as a de-dollarisation project.

The RBI earlier recommended that linking BRICS members’ digital currencies be placed on the summit agenda. Such an arrangement could allow transactions to be settled directly through participating central banks or financial institutions, reducing dependence on multiple correspondent banks and potentially cutting foreign-exchange and processing costs.

Central bank digital currencies are electronic forms of sovereign money issued by monetary authorities. Unlike privately issued stablecoins, their value and settlement are backed by central banks. India has been testing the digital rupee since 2022 and has added features including programmability and offline functionality as the RBI studies how it can complement payment methods.

Malhotra has said cross-border payments offer scope for lower costs, particularly in retail transactions. He has also said the RBI will continue efforts to promote greater international use of the rupee and encourage settlement in local currencies where commercially viable.

India is pursuing payment connectivity on a parallel track through the Unified Payments Interface, its instant retail payments platform. Prime Minister Narendra Modi this week called for UPI to be connected with payment systems in more countries. UPI is already available or linked with services in several overseas markets, including Singapore and the United Arab Emirates.

The BRICS discussions nevertheless extend beyond retail payment links. Officials have also been examining whether digital currencies issued by central banks can provide a secure settlement layer for transactions between member economies without requiring the creation of a shared currency or new supranational monetary authority.

Technical and policy obstacles remain. CBDC systems across BRICS countries are at different stages of development, and any cross-border arrangement would require agreement on interoperability, cybersecurity, data standards, foreign-exchange conversion, liquidity, governance and legal responsibility when transactions fail or disputes arise.

Trade imbalances pose another complication because a country receiving more of another member’s currency than it can use may be reluctant to accumulate balances. Policymakers have therefore also discussed mechanisms involving currency swaps and other settlement arrangements to deal with mismatches in bilateral trade.

The BRICS grouping now comprises 11 members, making consensus more difficult than when it consisted only of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. The expanded membership includes Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, the United Arab Emirates and Indonesia, while Saudi Arabia has participated in BRICS meetings as its membership status has remained subject to clarification.

The currency came under pressure after Brent crude held above $100 a barrel amid continuing tensions in West Asia, reinforcing worries about higher energy costs for a country that imports more than three-quarters of its crude oil requirements. The rupee had settled at 95.1050 against the dollar on Wednesday after touching 95.2250 during the session.

Dealers said demand for dollars from oil importers, corporate debt repayments and hedging activity added to the pressure. State-run banks were also seen supplying dollars during trading, an action market participants associated with efforts by the Reserve Bank of India to limit excessive volatility in the foreign-exchange market.

Brent crude traded around $101-$102 a barrel during Asian hours after crossing the $100 mark on Wednesday. The move followed renewed military tensions involving the United States and Iran and heightened concern about shipping and energy supply through the Gulf, including routes linked to the Strait of Hormuz.

Higher oil prices are particularly significant for the rupee because petroleum imports are paid largely in dollars. A sustained rise in crude can widen India’s trade deficit, increase demand for foreign currency from refiners and add to inflationary pressure, creating a less favourable backdrop for the local currency.

The rupee has lost roughly 0.7 per cent over the previous two sessions, with traders saying the effect of higher oil prices has become more visible after the currency had initially shown resilience. The movement has also coincided with caution across Asian markets and pressure on domestic equities.

Benchmark share indices were subdued on Thursday after suffering sharp losses in the previous session. The Sensex had dropped 813.35 points, or 1.08 per cent, on Wednesday to close at 74,764.23, while the Nifty 50 fell 203.60 points, or 0.86 per cent, to 23,431.50. The sell-off reflected concern that expensive crude could complicate the inflation and growth outlook.

The Reserve Bank has intervened intermittently in the currency market during periods of sharp rupee weakness. Traders said dollar sales by state-run banks helped the currency recover from Wednesday’s intraday low, although market participants expected central-bank support to restrain volatility rather than reverse pressure created by oil prices and capital flows.

Foreign-exchange dealers were also monitoring overseas portfolio movements. Expectations of capital outflows and demand linked to corporate payments have increased near-term dollar requirements, while the dollar index remained close to 99 against a basket of major currencies, offering only limited relief to emerging-market currencies.

The rise in crude has revived concern over India’s external balances. A higher oil import bill can feed into the current-account deficit if export earnings and other inflows do not offset the additional cost. It can also increase costs for transport, manufacturing and other energy-intensive sectors, depending on the extent to which international prices are passed through domestically.

Domestic fuel prices have so far remained comparatively insulated from the latest jump in international crude, but refiners and oil-marketing companies face greater pressure when global prices rise sharply while retail prices are unchanged. That gap can affect corporate margins and, if sustained, increase the broader fiscal and inflationary policy challenge.

Bond and equity markets are also watching the oil move for its implications for monetary policy. Higher imported energy costs can make inflation management more difficult, while weaker risk appetite may intensify foreign portfolio selling. Traders said those factors could keep the rupee volatile even if the central bank continues to provide dollar liquidity during periods of disorderly movement.