Vietnam buys 291 motorbikes every hour: the electric vehicle and battery swapping station race.
In Q3/2025, the 5 VAMM members sold 621,732 vehicles (-9.37% year-on-year); cumulative sales for the first 9 months exceeded 1.9 million, equivalent to 291 vehicles per hour. Honda and Yamaha led the market; VinFast increased by 447% to third place overall.
The Vietnamese motorcycle market continues to maintain a very large scale. According to the Vietnam Motorcycle Manufacturers Association (VAMM), its five members achieved sales of 621,732 vehicles in the third quarter of 2025, a decrease of 9.37% compared to the same period last year. Cumulative sales for the first nine months exceeded 1.9 million units, equivalent to an average of approximately 6,982 vehicles per day, or nearly 291 vehicles per hour.
According to Motorcycles Data, Vietnam is currently the world's fourth-largest motorcycle market; in the electric motorcycle segment alone, Vietnam ranks third globally. In the domestic market, Honda and Yamaha are leading; VinFast, with a 447% year-on-year growth, is currently third in the market and leads the electric motorcycle segment.
The nine-month picture: sales speed and global position.
Cumulative sales of over 1.9 million units in the first nine months of the year reflect the stable demand in the two-wheeler market. An average consumption rate of approximately 291 vehicles per hour indicates that motorcycles remain the primary mode of urban transportation. Despite a 9.37% year-on-year decline in the third quarter, the market size remains among the largest in the world.
The five VAMM members include Honda Vietnam, Yamaha Motor Vietnam, Piaggio Vietnam, SYM Vietnam, and Vietnam Suzuki. Besides this group, the market also includes many other brands such as VinFast, Yadea, Selex Motors, Dat Bike, DKBike, and motorcycle and scooter manufacturers like Ducati, Triumph, Harley-Davidson, Husqvarna, and Lambretta.
| Index | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Q3/2025 Sales (VAMM) | 621,732 vehicles | A decrease of 9.37% compared to the same period last year. |
| Cumulative 9-month (VAMM) | Over 1.9 million vehicles | On average, approximately 6,982 vehicles per day. |
| Average consumption rate | ~291 vehicles/hour | Based on the cumulative figures for the past 9 months. |
| Global position (motorcycles) | 4th place | According to Motorcycles Data |
| Global position (electric motorcycles) | 3rd place | According to Motorcycles Data |
Electrochemistry Acceleration: Brands, Products, and Ratings
Honda and Yamaha maintain the pace, while VinFast accelerates.
Data collected by Motorcycles Data indicates that Honda and Yamaha are the two best-selling brands in Vietnam. VinFast grew by 447% compared to the same period last year, rising to third place in the overall market and temporarily leading the electric motorcycle segment.
Besides the new electric vehicle models from VinFast and Yadea, Honda has joined the game with its first two electric motorbike models. Domestic electric vehicle brands such as Selex Motors, Dat Bike, and DKBike add more options, contributing to expanding the user base for purely electric two-wheelers.
The return of Lambretta and the electric vehicle roadmap.
Lambretta has recently returned to Vietnam and showcased a purely electric concept scooter called the Lambretta Elettra. This return shows that the electrified scooter segment is gaining attention, but commercialization still depends on the company's plans and market conditions.
Energy infrastructure: battery swapping stations could decide the race.
Besides public charging stations, battery swapping stations are likely to become a key factor shaping the competitive landscape in the electric motorcycle segment. This model suits the short-distance travel habits, high frequency of stops, and need for quick turnaround times of urban users.
- Selex Motors has deployed a battery swapping station network that is described as quite extensive.
- VinFast announces plans to open 150,000 battery swapping stations.
- Honda and TMT Motors are also developing plans for a battery swapping system.
The level of coverage and compatibility between battery standards, along with operating costs, could be key competitive variables in the coming period. The challenge of standardizing and scaling infrastructure will determine the user experience: fast, stable, and cost-effective battery swapping.
Short-term outlook: large scale, intense competition.
The third quarter saw a 9.37% year-on-year decrease, but the cumulative sales volume still exceeded 1.9 million vehicles in the first nine months, demonstrating a resilient demand base. In the short term, the race between gasoline and electric vehicles is unfolding across multiple layers: product, price, service network, and especially energy infrastructure.
While Honda and Yamaha continue to maintain their strength in traditional product lines, electric vehicle brands like VinFast and Yadea are accelerating their growth, leveraging advantages in operating costs and connectivity technology. The entry of brands like Lambretta, along with the strategies of Selex Motors, Dat Bike, and DKBike, will enrich the two-wheeler ecosystem in Vietnam.
Overall, the available data shows that Vietnam remains one of the world's most vibrant motorcycle markets, while also emerging as a bright spot for electric motorcycles thanks to its rapid growth rate and investment in battery swapping infrastructure.
