Following the quiet withdrawal of the Mazda BT-50 from the Vietnamese market, the pickup truck segment, according to the Vietnam Automobile Manufacturers Association (VAMA)'s regular sales statistics, now only has four models remaining. Despite the limited number of representatives, this segment remains one of the vehicle groups that receives significant attention from Vietnamese customers.
Before the market enters the second half of the year, pickup trucks in Vietnam are eagerly awaiting the arrival of a "newcomer".
Despite inconsistent performance, the Ranger remains the "king".
If there's one name in the Vietnamese car market that can consistently maintain its leading position in its segment for many years, it must be the Ford Ranger.
The title "king of pickup trucks" that Vietnamese customers bestow upon the American pickup model stems from the fact that the Ford Ranger has dominated sales in its segment for many consecutive years. Even in recent years, the Ford Ranger has almost single-handedly carried the sales of the entire pickup truck group, despite the determined presence of Japanese rivals such as the Toyota Hilux, Mitsubishi Triton, and Isuzu D-Max.
According to VAMA's report, as of the end of May, pickup truck sales in Vietnam reached a cumulative total of 10,786 vehicles. Of these, Ford Ranger accounted for more than half, with 6,134 vehicles sold in the first five months of the year.
Since the launch of its new generation, the Toyota Hilux has seen positive changes in sales. Although it cannot yet compete head-to-head with the Ranger in the long run, the Toyota Hilux had a successful reporting period in February when it became the best-selling pickup truck in Vietnam.
| Despite fluctuating sales, the Ford Ranger remains the "king of pickup trucks" in Vietnam. | ||||||
| Sales trends for pickup trucks in Vietnam during the first five months of the year (Data: VAMA) | ||||||
| Label | January | February | March | April | May | |
| Ford Ranger | car | 1854 | 809 | 1449 | 933 | 1089 |
| Toyota Hilux | 128 | 871 | 650 | 684 | 648 | |
| Mitsubishi Triton | 442 | 63 | 467 | 212 | 135 | |
| Isuzu D-Max | 117 | 97 | 92 | 11 | 35 | |
After 5 months, Toyota Hilux sold 2,981 units to Vietnamese customers. This achievement puts Toyota Hilux in second place in the entire segment, ahead of Mitsubishi Triton, as its domestic competitor only accumulated sales of 1,319 units.
At the bottom of the best-selling pickup truck list, the Isuzu D-Max recorded sales of 352 units, with its peak sales of 117 units set in the reporting period of early 2026.
The Ford Ranger continues to lead the pickup truck segment in Vietnam, with the Toyota Hilux in second place. Photo: Ford Vietnam, Phuc Hau.
In Vietnam, pickup trucks faced numerous challenges in the first half of the year as issues related to vehicle classification and traffic restrictions were scrutinized, significantly impacting sales figures in April.
Until recently, the most popular vehicle segment in Vietnam received a "dream" outcome when Decree 241/2026, effective from July 1st, lifted traffic restrictions, as stipulated in the regulation that "double-cab pickup trucks and van trucks with a total weight not exceeding 3,500 kg are allowed to operate in the same manner as passenger cars."
This good news comes to the pickup truck segment just as a "newcomer" is preparing to enter the market. Instead of purely gasoline/diesel options like the Ford Ranger, Toyota Hilux, Mitsubishi Triton, Isuzu D-Max, or Nissan Navara, the next name to debut in the pickup truck segment is likely a hybrid model.
Excitedly awaiting the new recruit.
According to current sources accessed by Tri Thức - Znews , the VinFast VF Wild is likely to be the next model to join the pickup truck segment in Vietnam. However, it will not be a purely electric vehicle, nor a purely gasoline or diesel pickup truck. The VF Wild will debut in Vietnam with a hybrid powertrain, possibly even an extended-range electric vehicle (EREV).
The official launch date and exact specifications of the VF Wild pickup truck are still unclear. However, the Vietnamese automaker's decision to launch the pickup in the second half of 2026 is considered a suitable move. As mentioned above, pickup trucks have only recently received good news as legal restrictions have been lifted, giving pickup truck owners more confidence when driving on the road.
The VinFast VF Wild could soon launch, becoming the first hybrid pickup truck in the Vietnamese market. Photo: VinFast.
The upcoming launch of the VF Wild in the next few months is therefore expected to bring excitement to the pickup truck segment. The unique hybrid powertrain will be the highlight of the VF Wild, promising to attract considerable attention from Vietnamese customers.
The Vietnamese electric vehicle manufacturer also showed a quicker response than its Chinese competitor BYD, as many believed that the BYD Shark 6 would be the first hybrid pickup truck to be launched in Vietnam. However, at this point, the sale of this plug-in hybrid pickup truck in Vietnam remains only a plan.
Regulations on reducing emissions in the central areas of major cities are also a factor that could put a hybrid pickup truck like the VF Wild higher in the priorities of Vietnamese car buyers. To a greater or lesser extent, the emission reduction potential of a gasoline-electric hybrid pickup truck is still considered superior when compared to its purely gasoline/diesel competitors.
Currently, the Ford Ranger remains an unbeatable contender in the pickup truck segment. The American automaker even wants to solidify the Ford Ranger's position by increasing features while maintaining the same list price for its best-selling model.
Consistently high sales figures and a diverse product range will be key factors in helping the Ford Ranger maintain its position as the "king of pickup trucks." However, the novelty of its competitor, the VF Wild, is likely to cause some disruption for the American pickup truck in the remainder of 2026.