THOOTHUKUDI, Aug 4 (Reuters) - Vietnamese electric

vehicle maker VinFast launched its first manufacturing

facility in southern India on Monday, marking a key step in its

expansion into the world's third-largest auto market.

Vinfast plans to roll out cars to the showroom later this

month, Pham Sanh Chau, CEO of VinFast Asia, told Reuters at the

sidelines of the inauguration of its Indian plant in

Thoothukudi.

Last year, VinFast and Tamil Nadu state agreed to work

towards an investment of up to $2 billion, with an intended

commitment of $500 million for the first five years. The plant

is expected to have an annual production capacity of up to

150,000 vehicles.