INTERVIEW    Nguyen Duc Kinh, CEO of FPT Automotive, FPT Corporation

“The future of mobility lies in SDV” says Nguyen Duc Kinh, CEO of FPT Automotive. FPT Automotive took its first step in 2005 with a small IVI project. By 2023, it had evolved into a standalone automotive subsidiary - no longer just a business unit of an IT company, but a recognized player in the global automotive ecosystem. From AUTOSAR and ADAS to Cockpit Domain Controllers, FPT has built expertise across complex, high-value domains. Its achievements - ISO 26262, ASPICE, and Southeast Asia’s first ISO 21434 certification - speak to one thing: trust through engineering excellence. Japanese precision. American speed. Korean tenacity. With those values at its core, FPT has become a proven, reliable partner to global OEMs and Tier 1s. And now, its bold journey toward $1 billion in automotive revenue by 2030 has officially begun.

by Han@autoelectronics.co.kr

한글로보기



Could you tell us how FPT Automotive a subsidiary specialized in Automotive of FPT Corporation) was founded? What were the major milestones in your growth journey, and are there any moments you recall as turning points?
Nguyen        We started our very first automotive project in 2005. It wasn’t big, but it set the direction. From there, we kept building  - one project after another - growing from IVI systems to AUTOSAR middleware, ECU development, and more. By the time FPT officially launched its subsidiary specialized in Automotive in December 2023, we weren’t starting from scratch. We already had a solid foundation: a skilled team, deep domain expertise, and trusted partnerships with global OEMs and Tier-1s. Becoming a standalone company wasn’t a sudden leap -  it was a natural next step.


When you first proposed carving out the automotive domain within FPT Corporation, were there any internal concerns or resistance? Your belief that “domain equals industry” is quite structural - what experiences shaped this philosophy, and how much did your five years in Japan influence this vision?
Nguyen        Spinning off a new company always comes with challenges. But we weren’t building from zero. For years, our automotive division had been growing 20% faster than the overall average speed within FPT Corporation. That performance gave us the confidence to move forward. The belief that “domain equals industry” is grounded in experience - particularly in Japan, where I spent five years deeply immersed in a market that demands precision, discipline, and real understanding. I came to believe that only with domain-specific focus can you truly serve industry needs at scale. That thinking became the backbone of FPT in the Automotive field.


Establishing your global headquarters in the U.S. rather than Vietnam was a symbolic and strategic move. What was the core reasoning behind this decision, and what goals did you aim to achieve? 
Nguyen        Japan remains one of our most important markets - we’ve spent years learning how to deliver with precision there. But meaningful growth requires stepping outside your comfort zone. That’s why we chose to invest in the U.S. The environment is different: it moves faster, prioritizes software-first - and now AI-first - thinking. It’s also where software-defined vehicles (SDV) are advancing most rapidly. Opening an office in the U.S. is just the beginning. Our goal is for the U.S. to contribute 30% of FPT’s revenue in Automotive domain by 2030. It’s ambitious, but the challenge is part of the mission.




FPT Automotive learned precision in Japan; in the U.S., it embraces speed and AI-driven thinking. To lead the future of SDV, FPT aims to generate 30% of its automotive revenue from the U.S. market by 2030. 




Have you ever faced skepticism from global OEMs simply because you were a “Vietnamese company”? If so, how did you overcome that and build trust? Could you share a memorable customer story related to this? 
Nguyen        Yes, absolutely. Vietnam doesn’t have a deep-rooted automotive manufacturing legacy, so it was natural for some to question how far we could go in automotive software. But this is a field where you can earn your place through delivery -  and that’s exactly what we did. One step at a time, through real projects with demanding clients. Even during COVID, when everything was uncertain, we kept delivering. That resilience built trust. Today, we’re working with OEMs and Tier-1s across Japan, Korea, Europe, and the U.S. The road is long, but we’ve shown we can be a capable, dependable partner.


Pursuing complex certifications like ISO 26262 and ASPICE must have been a bold and strategic decision. How prepared were your engineering teams in the beginning, and what convinced the organization that these goals were achievable? Also, what areas does your current product and solution portfolio focus on, and how would you assess the current maturity level in terms of functional safety and process quality?
Nguyen        From the beginning, we aligned ourselves with global standards. Earning ASPICE Level 3 and ISO 26262 wasn’t just a checkbox - it was a statement about our engineering quality. I’m proud to share that we recently became the first company in Southeast Asia to achieve ISO 21434 certification for automotive cybersecurity. That’s a milestone for us, especially as we focus on complex solutions like Cockpit Domain Controllers (CDC), AUTOSAR stacks, and ADAS systems. These certifications aren’t just achievements - they’re long-term commitments to quality, safety, and trust.


Among your technical competencies, what do you consider to be your most differentiating strengths compared to competitors? If possible, please highlight specific focus areas such as SDV, ADAS, Infotainment, V2X, or OTA.
Nguyen        Vietnamese engineers are technically strong, quick learners, and highly adaptable. But what really sets them apart is something deeper: resilience, attention to detail, and a deep sense of accountability. These traits have helped FPT secure and deliver critical projects where time-to-market, cost-efficiency, or IP protection were key. Whether we’re working on SDV platforms, ADAS systems, OTA solutions, or Automotive manufacturing, our mindset is consistent - understand what matters most to the customer, and deliver with precision and purpose.




From the outset, FPT Automotive has aligned with global standards, proving its engineering excellence through ASPICE and ISO certifications. Its technical capabilities - including Southeast Asia’s first ISO 21434 certification - have laid the foundation for becoming a key player in core areas such as CDC, AUTOSAR, and ADAS within the global automotive industry. 



Vietnamese developers and engineers are gaining growing recognition globally. What are the unique strengths of FPT’s engineering talent, and could you share insights into your internal training and talent development system? 
Nguyen        In 2024, we launched the Automotive Software Engineering department at FPT University -  the first of its kind in Vietnam. We’ve also partnered with leading universities nationwide to co-create automotive curricula. Our own engineers serve as instructors and mentors. This talent pipeline is essential to our long-term vision. Vietnamese engineers have what it takes to thrive globally, including in high-standard markets like Korea. We share values like precision, discipline, and respect for long-term collaboration -  that’s what makes it work.


Korea is one of the most advanced markets in automotive electronics and software, home to global OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers. How do you view the Korean market, and are there any ongoing or planned partnerships or customer engagements you could share with us? 
Nguyen        Long before we established FPT branch in Korea in 2016, we admired Korea’s achievements in electronics and automotive. We wanted to learn from it - and contribute. Today, we are collaborating with top Korean industry players on mission-critical projects, and the quality of partnerships keeps improving. Our local team is growing steadily with nearly 300 headcounts - working closely with over 4700 Automotive engineers in Vietnam and other global branches. We’re no longer outsiders - we’re part of the ecosystem.


Your company aims to achieve $1 billion in revenue by 2030. What are the key growth drivers toward that goal, and what position do you envision FPT holding in the global automotive ecosystem? 
Nguyen        The future of mobility is software-defined vehicles (SDV), and our entire roadmap is aligned with that direction. Working closely with global OEMs and Tier-1s gives us early insight into where the industry is headed - and how we can help shape it. Our goal of $1 billion in Automotive revenue by 2030 is bold, but with a clear strategy, strong partnerships, and a world-class engineering team, we believe it’s within reach. It’s not just about scale - it’s about becoming a trusted, integral player in the next era of automotive.



FPT is partnering with Korea’s leading industrial players on critical projects, with about 300 of our team members currently working in the country.