New Country Start-ups

Model Range VinFast
(Mit freundlicher Genehmigung/Courtesy of VinFast Germany GmbH [Homepage])

Management Summary

Even in countries without their own car brands, BEV startups have been founded in recent years.

In Vietnam, VinFast Auto was founded on the initiative of a private entrepreneur, while all other new BEV brands were launched at the instigation of the political administration of the respective country. These include Togg–Auto in Turkey, Ceer in Saudi Araba, and Izera in Poland:

  • With approximately 197,000 vehicles sold, VinFast Auto was the most successful in 2025. Following its market ramp-up in Vietnam, the company is now focusing on international expansion, particularly in North America and Europe.
  • Togg–Auto follows in second place with around 110,000 units. Togg also initially focused on its home market but is now planning to export to Europe, including Germany.
  • Ceer’s BEV model is still in development, with production scheduled to begin in 2026. Ceer is supported by BMW and Foxconn, among others.
  • Izera had already developed a pre-production model, but the production launch scheduled for 2023 could not be met due to a lack of product maturity. In December 2024, the Polish government decided to discontinue the project and dissolve the Izera brand. 

Vietnam

VinFast-Modell VF8 
(Mit freundlicher Genehmigung/Courtesy of VinFast Germany GmbH [Homepage])

VinFast-Modell VF9
(Mit freundlicher Genehmigung/Courtesy of VinFast Germany GmbH [Homepage])

VinFast Auto is a Vietnamese new-energy startup specializing in passenger cars and electric motorcycles, founded in 2017 by Pham Nhat Vuong in Hai Phong. The entrepreneur previously built the conglomerate Vingroup, which operates in sectors such as education, healthcare, and tourism.

VinFast’s development is closely linked to the German automotive industry, in part due to former BMW contacts in its management. After entering the market with internal combustion engine vehicles based on BMW technology, the company now focuses on its own battery-electric SUV models (VF6 to VF9) for various market segments.

In 2025, approximately 197,000 vehicles were delivered, representing a doubling compared to the previous year. Revenue rose significantly to around 73.2 trillion VND (~ € 2.8B), while the net loss decreased to approximately 52.4 trillion VND (~ € 2B).

Exports to Europe began in 2023 but remained very low in terms of volume in both 2023 and 2024. Even in 2025, sales figures in Europe, including Germany, remained in the low three-digit range. As a result, VinFast adjusted its European strategy and largely discontinued direct sales in order to rely more heavily on dealer networks in the future.

Turkey

Togg Model T10X  
(Mit freundlicher Genehmigung/Courtesy of Türkiye’nin Otomobili Girişim Grubu Sanayi ve Ticaret A.Ş [Homepage])

Interieur T10X
(Mit freundlicher Genehmigung/Courtesy of  Türkiye’nin Otomobili Girişim Grubu Sanayi ve Ticaret A.Ş [Homepage])

Togg Auto is a new domestic startup founded in 2018 on the initiative of President Erdoğan in partnership with the Anadolu Group, BMC, the Kök Group, Turkcell, and Zorlu. The name stands for “Türkiye’nin Otomobili Girişim Grubu” (“Turkish Automobile Joint Venture Group”).

As its first production model, Togg developed the midsize battery-electric SUV T10X with an exterior designed by Pininfarina. The vehicle is offered in two battery variants: 52.4 kWh with a WLTP range of approximately 314 km, and 88.5 kWh with a range of up to 523 km. The maximum charging power is up to 150 kW (DC) or 22 kW (AC).

In 2025, approximately 39,000 vehicles were delivered, representing a slight increase over the previous year. Official financial data is not available, but the company is not yet profitable at these sales volumes. 

Exports to Europe began in 2025. The market entry in Germany took place toward the end of the year, initially with very limited volumes, so that only low three-digit sales figures in Europe are expected for 2025. Germany is viewed as a sort of secondary home market, as a large segment of the population there has Turkish roots and consequently exhibits high brand awareness and emotional attachment to the brand.

Saudi Arabia

Ceer is a new-country startup from Saudi Arabia and the country’s first automotive brand. The company was founded in late 2022 as a joint venture between the state-owned Public Investment Fund (PIF) and the Taiwanese electronics manufacturer Foxconn. In the context of Saudi Vision 2030, Ceer is positioning itself as a pioneer of its own national automotive industry and plans to develop battery-electric vehicles—including sedans and SUVs—for the domestic market, the Gulf region, and the entire Middle East.

The industrial base is being established in King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC) near Jeddah, where Ceer is constructing a production facility covering an area of over one million square meters. The contract for this project has already been awarded, and construction began in early 2023.

International technology partnerships are a central element of the company’s strategy: Ceer relies on licensed components from the German manufacturer BMW and utilizes drive technologies from the Croatian startup Rimac Technology. In addition, there is a supply agreement with Hyundai Transys for e-drive systems. Foxconn is responsible for electronic architecture, infotainment, and connectivity. Series production, originally planned for 2025, has since been postponed to 2026.

From a technological standpoint, Ceer represents an extremely ambitious project that can also rely on the support of exceptionally well-funded investors.

Poland

Izera Hatchback – Exterieur  
(Mit freundlicher Genehmigung/Courtesy of ElectroMobility Poland S.A. [For Media])

Izera Hatchback– Interieur
(Mit freundlicher Genehmigung/Courtesy of ElectroMobility Poland S.A. [Homepage])

Izera was the BEV brand of a Polish new-energy-vehicle startup founded in 2016 by the state-owned consortium ElectroMobility Poland (EMP). Since the state regulatory authority assessed that the project had suffered significant delays by 2023, the Polish government discontinued the initiative at the end of 2024 and dissolved the Izera brand. This marked the end of the ambitious goal to establish an independent Polish electric vehicle for the mass market.

In 2020, the company unveiled its first two all-electric models—a hatchback sedan and an SUV—with the intention of beginning series production in 2023. The Italian studio Torino Design was responsible for the vehicle design, with experienced designers, including a former Jaguar designer, among those involved. 

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[cs 22.03.2026]