These are the most anticipated car models in Vietnam.

Customers are anticipating a redesign of the new generation Civic or Fortuner, while also considering new options like the Chevrolet Trax and Ford Explorer.

The two biggest car shows in Vietnam have just concluded, leaving Vietnamese customers overwhelmed with a jumble of information about new vehicles. The VMS exhibition, organized by VAMA members, featured mostly imported cars, while VIMS was purely an import event, with only Mercedes offering locally assembled vehicles.

The prospect of imported cars gradually dominating the Vietnamese automotive market is becoming a reality. Below are some models that are preparing to arrive in Vietnam in the mainstream segment, closest to the financial capabilities of the majority of customers.

1. Honda Civic

The new Honda Civic.

The 10th generation of the C-segment sedan has actually appeared at Honda dealerships in Vietnam, but only as a display model for customers to view and place orders. The Japanese automaker says it has received around 200 orders for the new Civic. The first batches of cars imported from Thailand are expected to arrive for delivery to customers in early 2017. The expected price is under one billion VND.

The new generation Civic is a breakthrough, correcting the design mistakes of the ninth generation. The new shape leans towards a coupe, with sharp, sporty lines and a much more powerful look than before.

Engine mThe 1.5-liter turbo engine has also piqued the curiosity of many. This engine produces 170 horsepower at 5,500 rpm, paired with a CVT transmission. According to Honda, this power is equivalent to a conventional 2.4-liter engine. The Civic will be priced at under 1 billion VND in Vietnam.

2.Toyota Fortuner

The new Toyota Fortuner.

The Fortuner was the centerpiece of Toyota's booth at the VMS exhibition. Like the Civic, the new Fortuner is also a revolution in design. Compared to the current simple, neutral Fortuner, the new SUV is more muscular, modern, and somewhat playful.

The basic equipment of the previous generation has led customers to expect the new Fortuner to change both in appearance and functionality. In Thailand, this version boasts a host of safety technologies and convenience features, in addition to an upgraded engine.

Due to the upcoming release of the new generation Fortuner, sales of the older version are booming, as many customers anticipate price increases or that the new generation's youthful design will no longer appeal to them. Toyota's factory in Vietnam is limiting Innova production to focus on the older Fortuner model. The new model will arrive in Vietnam in 2017 and will be imported from Thailand.

3. Ford Explorer

Ford Explorer.

Although not in the segment for the majority of customers due to its price of 2.18 billion VND, the Explorer is a breath of fresh air that has attracted special attention. This large SUVIts design is square, robust, and decisive. Combined with its large size, the Explorer's distinctive appearance, reminiscent of the Range Rover, offers customers new possibilities.

The version for the Vietnamese market is equipped with a 2.3-liter EcoBoost 4-cylinder turbocharged engine with direct injection, producing 273 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and a maximum torque of 420 Nm at 3,000 rpm. This SUV uses front-wheel drive and a 6-speed SelectShift automatic transmission.

Safety features include 10 airbags, terrain control system, automatic parking assist, lane departure warning, hill descent assist, 180-degree camera system, and other basic braking technologies.

The Explorer threatens the market share of smaller luxury SUVs such asMercedes GLC, BMW X3, or even budget-friendly options like the Mazda CX-9 are all great choices due to their significant advantages, comfort, and renowned EcoBoost engine. The Explorer will go on sale from December.

4. Chevrolet Trax

Chevrolet Trax.

The Trax, imported directly from South Korea, will go on sale from January 2017. Its shape resembles a smaller version of the Captiva, but the Trax is more stylish with its softly contoured headlights and curved LED daytime running lights. The taillights, however, are designed in a large, bold style similar to previous Chevrolet compact cars.

The car sold in Vietnam uses a 1.4-liter, 4-cylinder turbocharged Ecotec gasoline engine producing 140 horsepower at 4,900-6,000 rpm and a maximum torque of 200 Nm at 1,850-4,900 rpm. It features a 6-speed automatic transmission and meets Euro 6 emission standards.

Chevrolet equips the Trax with a host of safety technologies, from the three basic types for braking (ABS, EBD, BA) to electronic stability control, cornering brake control (CBC), traction control system (TCS), hill start assist (HSA), hill descent control (HDC)...The features on this B-segment crossover are even more extensive than some D-segment models currently sold in Vietnam, priced at 769 million VND.

5. Mazda CX-3

Mazda CX-3.

Like the Trax, the CX-3 will compete in the B-segment SUV market when it arrives in Vietnam. The car has a smaller version of the CX-5 and was only displayed at the recent VMS exhibition; the manufacturer has no plans to bring it to Vietnam yet. However, customers are hoping the CX-3 will arrive in 2017.

If the CX-3 were to enter the Vietnamese market, it would have the advantage of being the larger CX-5, paving the way for the most customers in its segment due to its design appealing to Vietnamese tastes and its convenient features. However, in an unpredictable market like Vietnam, opportunities are evenly distributed because customers in each segment have different needs.

According to VNE