Samsung plans aggressive push to India flat panel TV biz

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Korean consumer electronics major Samsung on Sunday said it plans to aggressively push its flat panel TV business in India, a segment which is expected to touch 50 lakh units in the current year.

The company which is present in India, through its wholly owned subsidiary Samsung India Electronics, currently has a market share of around 30 per cent of the 38 lakh units of flat panel TVs in the country.

"Of the 38 lakh units, we have a market share of 30 per cent. We definitely intend to grow faster than the industry this year," Samsung India AV Business vice-president Raj Kumar Rishi told reporters here at the Samsung South West Asia Forum 2012

The flat panel segment consists of LEDs, LCDs and Plasma TVs. In India Samsung sells around 40 models of flat panel TVs.

Commenting on the market for Smart TVs in India, Rishi said the growth of the market would depend upon several factors like internet penetration and availability of applications.

"The market for Smart TVs is currently just 3 per cent of the total flat panel sales in India. It is expected to grow to nearly 5 per cent in 2012. The growth will depend on internet penetration and availability of applications," Rishi said.

The company's new Smart TV range which is being introduced in India will cost between Rs 45 thousand and Rs 2.65 lakh. The company today announced tha launch of 18 new Smart Tv models in the Indian market.

Samsung India, which sells various consumer durables including refrigerators, tablets, moblile phones, also said is aiming to grow two to three times more than the market in the compact camera segment in the current year.

"The company is putting a fresh thrust in its Digital camera business. We are bringing in a lot of change in structure and set targets internally," Rishi said.

"We have to grow two to three times more than the market, which is growing at single digits at the moment. We would like to focus on mid and high end products for the growth,'' he added.

The company at present sells nine models of compact cameras in India.

Samsung India Country Head of Mobile and IT Ranjit Yadav said the company plans to sell 10 million units of Galaxy Note smartphones worldwide by the end of 2012 as compared to 2 million globally in 2011.

In India, Yadav said the company sold over a lakh units of Galaxy Note in India in 2011.

On the tablet segment, Yadav said the market would double to 6 lakh units in 2012 from the 3 lakh units in 2011.

"The market for tablets is growing 100 per cent year on year. We have a market share of 40 per cent in the segment and would like to maintain that," Yadav said.

The company is also looking to expand its market share in tablets and mobile phones, where it already has a large market share, with the launch of Galaxy Tab 2 and Galaxy Beam smart phone.

"This year we plan to launch around 35-40 new mobile phone models across categories," Yadav said.

The South Korean consumer electronics major today showcased its diverse array of products at the Samsung South West Asia Forum 2012. As part of the initiative, it announced the launch of of various products including ES8000 LED TV and Galaxy Tab 310.

The company also showcased Galaxy Beam, a projector smartphone, which will be rolled out in South West Asia from May this year.

"The South West Asia region remains a strong growth market for Samsung and will continue to grow as consumers today lead increasingly dynamic lifestyles, requiring technology and products that will enrich and enhance their experiences," Samsung Electronics president and CEO B.D. Park said.

He said the company will continue new product innovation and investment in research and development in the region. In 2011, Samsung Electronics achieved sales of USD 143 billion.

In South West Asia, the company achieved a healthy growth in 2011 and retained its number one position in a number of product categories including flat panel televisions, side by side refrigerators, and color monitors. It also became the market leader for smartphones for the first time.

Samsung India, reported turnover of Rs 20,000 crore in 2011.