Toshiba expects to gain 10 % share in LCD market in 1 year

Mumbai, Mar 21 (UNI) Toshiba India Private Ltd (TIPL), a wholly owned subsidiery of USD 59 billion Toshiba Corporation of Japan, is hopeful of getting the market share of 10 per cent in the newly emerged LCD TV market of the country.

Launching the 'Regza' series of LCD TVs here today, Deputy Department Manager, Global Trading Department, Asian Headquarters Division, Toshiba Singapore Ltd, Linda Choo said,"LCD TV is estimated to witness 65 per cent growth in the country by 2010".

That is why we have lined up eight new products under the 'Regza' brand to tap this growing potential of LCD TV, she added.

Pranab Mohanty, Head, Consumer Product Marketing Division, TIPL, said that initially we will sell our products through our dealers in all the five metro cities of the country.

However, we will appoint our A-class dealers in all across the country during phase II period to ensure our pan-india presence, he added.

The price range of the new LCD TV products of the company varies between Rs 48,300 and Rs 1,21,000. He stressed that all the products under the new Regza series will be imported to the country directly from the company located at Indonesia through Jawaharlal Nehru Port in Mumbai to cater to western and northern market and another port in the east to cater to the remaining part of the country.

The Rega a3000 Series HD Ready LCD TV consists of four sizes that include 32-inch, 37-inch and 42-inch. Similarly, the other Regza 68 series has an array of four different sizes. All the products are equipped with Toshiba's Meta Brain Pro Trechnology.

Replying to a media query, Mr Mohanty denied that his company had any plans of assembling LCD TV in the country. However, he hinted that it may become a possibility once the market of LCD TV reaches at a certain stage in the country. Currently, only those consumers go for LCD TVs that are having income of Rs 5 lalh or more.

But the income level of the country's people was growing fast with the rise of the India's economy and hence the day was not far off when the LCD TV will entirely replace the conventional colour TV in the country, he said.

UNI