Zac Hollis, the former brand director of Skoda Auto India, has taken on the role of Asia Head at Vietnamese electric vehicle (EV) major VinFast. This move follows VinFast’s recent Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing with the Tamil Nadu government for the establishment of an integrated EV manufacturing plant in the state.
Having played a pivotal role in successfully implementing Skoda’s India 2.0 strategy, Hollis is now set to be a key player in shaping VinFast India’s $2 billion rollout plan. Hollis’s transition to VinFast comes within four months of his role as Prestige Models Operation Director at MG Motor.
During his tenure at Skoda Auto in India, where he served as Director of Sales, Service, and Marketing from September 2018, Hollis significantly contributed to the brand’s foundation in the country. Skoda Auto achieved its best volumes and market share in India under his leadership. Despite attempts to contact Hollis and VinFast for comments, there was no response at the time of publishing.
Hollis is expected to play a crucial role not only in VinFast’s India entry strategy but also in recruiting top talent for the company’s operations in India. VinFast’s integrated EV plant in Tamil Nadu is projected to create 3,000 to 3,500 employment opportunities locally and aims to become an EV production hub in the region with an annual manufacturing capacity of up to 150,000 units. Construction for the factory is scheduled to commence later this year.
VinFast and the Tamil Nadu State Government plan to invest up to US$2 billion in total, with an initial commitment of US$500 million for the first phase over five years. This move is a significant part of VinFast’s global expansion strategy, marking its entry into the world’s third-largest car market. The company aims to capitalise on growth opportunities in India’s expanding EV market and establish a robust presence in key markets to strengthen its global supply chain.
