Zac Hollis, instrumental in the effective execution of Skoda’s pivotal India 2.0 strategy, will now have a significant role in shaping VinFast’s plan for introducing electric vehicles in India.
Zac Hollis, former brand director of Skoda Auto India, has taken on a pivotal role as Asia Head at VinFast, a prominent Vietnamese electric vehicle (EV) company. This significant move follows VinFast’s recent memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Tamil Nadu government to establish an integrated EV manufacturing plant in the state, showcasing their commitment to the Indian market.
Having played a crucial role in successfully implementing Skoda’s India 2.0 strategy, Hollis is now poised to play a vital part in shaping the $2 billion rollout plan for VinFast India. This transition comes only four months after Hollis joined MG Motor as its Prestige Models Operation Director.
During his tenure as Director of Sales, Service, and Marketing at Skoda Auto from September 2018, Hollis spent four years in India, contributing significantly to establishing the brand in the country. His efforts led to India becoming the third-best market for Czech car brands in 2021-2022. Recognized for his active engagement with brand enthusiasts and car owners through various social media platforms, Hollis left Skoda Auto with the brand sitting on its highest volumes and market share in India.
With a career spanning over two and a half decades in the automotive industry, Hollis has extensive experience working across functions in both Europe and Asia. Before his tenure in India, he led Skoda Auto’s China sales operation from 2016 to 2018.
Despite attempts to seek comments from Zac Hollis and VinFast, both were unavailable for response at the time of publishing.
Hollis is anticipated to play a crucial role not only in defining VinFast’s India entry strategy but also in recruiting top talent for the company in India. The establishment of VinFast’s integrated EV plant in Tamil Nadu is expected to create 3,000 to 3,500 employment opportunities locally, contributing to the region’s economic development.
Located in Thoothukudi, the VinFast-Tamil Nadu project aims to become an EV production hub 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 are working towards a total investment of up to US$2 billion, with an initial commitment of US$500 million for the first phase over five years. This initiative marks a significant stride in VinFast’s global expansion, providing the brand access to the world’s third-largest car market and strengthening its position in key markets worldwide. The move aligns with VinFast’s strategy to establish a robust presence and enhance its supply chain for global expansion, particularly in the rapidly expanding EV market.
