Electronics exporters push premium goods
Local consumer electronics and appliance manufacturers plan to increase sales this year by strategically expanding exports of premium products that will net higher profits and therefore improve their brand image and overall sales abroad.
LG Electronics said that it plans on making inroads into European markets with its line of upscale electronics such as digital televisions, mobile phones and two-door refrigerators to increase their share of the local premium appliance market to 90 percent this year.
The firm hopes to double its sales of PDP-TVs in Europe to 80,000 units from the 40,000 units sold last year. It will also introduce 30-inch screened LCD-TVs to their markets, with a goal of selling over 150,000 units.
LG said that its 7kg-class Drum washing machines are currently selling for $1,100 in Spain and the United Kingdom, which is about 10 percent higher than in other markets. LG expects to sell 110,000 units of two-door refrigerators, double last year's volume of 56,000 units.
The company also has high expectations in sales of its latest color-screened mobile phones, which are already in high demand in markets like Russia and Italy after the model's launch last October.
Samsung Electronics also plans to increase its market share of premium merchandise in total exports to about 20 to 30 percent in every product category.
The nation's largest consumer electronics manufacturer succeeded in doubling exports of its two-door refrigerators and deluxe air conditioners last year. Last year, Samsung's sales of PDP-TVs increased 21-fold while their LCD-TV sales shot up 76-fold.
Daewoo Electronics also did well last year, with PDP-TV shipments growing 200 percent, 50-inch HDTVs by 300 percent and DVD Combos by 100 percent. It plans to introduce new products like 60-inch LCD projection TVs, 47-inch projection TVs, DVD players and 34-liter microwaves.
Domestic demand for premium items are ballooning as well, with their share in total sales reaching 25 percent for LG Electronics and 20 to 30 percent for Samsung Electronics.
Samsung said that it will work to raise the proportion to between 30 and 50 percent this year.
(mihui@koreaherald.co.kr)
2003.02.08
AI
