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30 exclusive showrooms, 94 service centres may be opened

NEW LAUNCHES: Mr. Richie Liu (left), Managing Director, TCL Indian Holdings Pvt Ltd, with Mr C.M. Singh, Vice-President, Sales and Marketing, at the launch of a range of consumer electronics and durables in the Capital on Tuesday. - Kamal Narang

New Delhi , Aug. 8

Announcing ambitious plans of selling one million colour television sets in India, Chinese consumer electronics major TCL on Tuesday said it was considering setting up a manufacturing facility here, which would also cater to the export market.

"From a global perspective, India is a key location not only as a market but also as a manufacturing hub.

"Currently a feasibility study is on to set up a manufacturing unit here," the TCL India Holdings Managing Director, Mr Richie Liu Hongqi, told reporters here.

He said the company has not yet finalised plans, including overall investments, for setting up the plant but hoped to take a decision sometime next month.

"Initially, our plant will be used to cater to the demands of the Indian market but eventually it will serve as a hub to service other countries as well," he said.

India plans

In future, the company could gradually shift manufacturing from France and Poland and service the European requirements from India, he added.

Commenting on the India plans, the TCL India Vice-President, Mr C. M. Singh, said the company was targeting a market share of 10 per cent by selling one million colour television sets by next year and be among the top three brands in the next three years.

"Last year we sold about 3.5 lakh units and this year we are aiming about 6 lakh units, which will take our market share to about 7 per cent," Mr Singh said.

TCL plans to open 30 TCI exclusive showrooms and 94 service centres across the country, he said while launching a range of consumer electronics, including LCD, plasma and CTV along with air conditioners and washing machines.

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