Sony Ericsson to set up product development unit in India

New Delhi, June 20 (UNI) Handset maker Sony Ericsson today said it will set up a research and development (R&D) unit for mobile phones in Chennai with a production target of 10 million units by 2009 here.

The move follows closely on the company's January announcement of sourcing local manufacture of phones in the state with electronics manufacturing services (EMS) partners Flextronics and Foxconn.

This is a part of Sony Ericsson's global strategy to strengthen its capabilities within the world's fastest growing telecommunications market and generate the growth for reaching the top three slot in the global handset market.

The new facility will become part of Sony Ericsson's global network of R&D units, which currently comprise sites in China, Japan, Sweden, the Netherlands, the US and the UK.

''Establishing a development facility in India along with manufacturing gives us a strong foothold for generating future growth in India,'' Sony Ericsson India General Manager Sudhin Mathur said in a statement here.

''India is the world's fastest growing economy with a highly skilled technology-focused workforce. The Indian market is also one of the most exciting and dynamic, as consumers are adopting mobile communications technology rapidly, Sony Ericsson India Head (Product Business Group) Anders Grynge said in the statement.

He said the company can more closely tap into consumer behaviour in the local markets if it continues to have R&D teams 'on the ground.' This can lead to innovations that have worldwide appeal, as well as make our products more accepted on a regional basis, he added.

According to available data, mobile phone market in India has doubled last year and more than 62 million handsets have been sold in the last twelve months.

UNI