Vietnamese EV powerhouse VinFast officially charged into the spotlight at the 2025 Manila International Auto Show (MIAS) with a highly anticipated debut — but it was basketball star Prince Rivero who turned heads, putting a familiar Filipino face behind the wheel of the new VF 6 subcompact SUV.

The VF 6, priced from PHP 1.419 million, wowed a record-setting crowd of 170,900 visitors. But it wasn’t just specs or style drawing attention — it was Rivero’s real-world take that resonated with the public.

“The acceleration is really on point,” said the 6’3” PBA player after his test drive. “It’s spacious, smooth, and with today’s gas prices, it just makes sense. This could be our starter family car.”

Rivero’s endorsement wasn’t a celebrity gimmick. His wife joined the test run, lending authenticity to the moment. The VF 6, with its almost 500 km range (NEDC), struck a chord with families like theirs looking for an affordable, efficient entry into EV living.

Just steps away, flight attendant Aila Panganiban echoed his enthusiasm, saying, “I love the new look of VinFast. The VF 6 and VF 7 are stylish and practical, especially in city traffic.”

VinFast’s booth — featuring the VF 3, VF 5, VF 7, and VF 9 — marked more than just product displays. The brand rolled out a three-part strategy aimed at overcoming the Philippines’ biggest EV roadblocks: charging access, resale value, and financing.

Here’s What VinFast Is Offering:

• Free Charging Until 2027: Partnering with global operator V-GREEN, VinFast aims to deploy 15,000 charging ports nationwide, far surpassing the current 900.

• Buyback Program: Get up to 90% of your EV’s original value with their guaranteed resale offer — a bold move to ease long-term concerns.

• Flexible Financing: Tie-ups with local banks like BDO and EastWest make monthly payments more manageable for first-time EV buyers.

The brand also plans to open over 60 showrooms across the country in 2025, with six distributor deals already in place.

Filipino office worker Leica, who visited Vietnam last year, shared, “VinFast is already big over there. Their smaller EVs like the VF 3 or VF 6 are perfect for Manila traffic.”

With its eye-catching aesthetics, comprehensive ownership solutions, and relatable endorsements from Filipino figures like Rivero, VinFast isn’t just entering the market — it’s changing the conversation about what driving electric in the Philippines can look like.