Sony charts new growth path

By Our Corporate Reporter

CHENNAI, OCT. 12. Sony India aims to be among the top three players in consumer electronics in the next five years. Towards this, the company has charted a growth path to tap the market for high technology entertainment products. First it will test-market high value added products from Sony's international lineup. Once the market for new introduction expands, the company will go in for local manufacture.

Addressing presspersons, after inaugurating Sony India's annual exhibition here today, Mr. Teruo Ishii, Managing Director, said, the company test marketed DRC Wega range of flat colour televisions and judging the consumer response, it had introduced factory models in 29 and 34 inches.

The intention was to import and sell the products in select low volume high value categories. One such product range was the projection DRC Wega models in 49, 53 and 61 inches. The response from high-end consumers to this range was excellent, Mr. Ishii said.

``In colour televisions, strategically, we are shifting focus to flat CTVs from the conventional curved picture tubes and in this segment, technology and performance are the main deciding factors'', he said.

Commenting on the plans for current year, Mr. Ishii said ``We are excited by the new introductions and targeting a growth rate of 15 per cent for the current year.''.

Mr. Prem K. Nair, deputy director, Sony India, said, the thrust would be also on portable audios, micro Hi-Fis and digital imaging products. The introduction of micro Hi-Fis would be an entirely new segment in India, he said.

Sony's manufacturing plant in Dharuhera, Haryana, has an installed capacity of two lakh audio equipment and three lakh colour televisions (CTVs). The facility has in-built scalability to meet the expected demand growth in the next phase.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Business
Previous : Profit taking trims gains on BSE
Next     : Maran inaugurates India Centre in Singapore