Samsung Electronics Co.'s share of the Chinese mobile phone market rose to a record high in March, according to the market research firm GfK and industry sources yesterday.
The electronics giant, which makes up 16.3 percent of the Chinese handset market, widened its lead over Motorola Inc., the third-largest player in China. Motorola's March market share stood at 9.2 percent.
Samsung overtook the U.S.-based Motorola for the first time in November 2007. Finnish giant Nokia Corp. leads the Chinese mobile market with a share of 44 percent in March.
Samsung's China sales have also been on the rise. Since November 2007, monthly sales increased to 2.4 million units in March, 60 percent up from 1.53 million.
Much of the rise has been attributed to increasing demand for more expensive mobile phones in China.
The mobile phone industry forecasts that about 173 million phones will be sold in China this year. About 69 percent of the demand will be generated by those looking to upgrade to more expensive models.
In step with the rising demand for luxury phones, Samsung launched the Armani phone -- a luxury mobile phone produced in collaboration with the Italian fashion company of the same name that costs 1.2 million won ($1,189) in Korea -- in the Chinese market last month. In addition, the company is planning to introduce other higher-end models including the Olympic phone, F488e, and a smartphone fitted with touchpad technology during the second half of the year.
A Samsung Electronics official said that the company is planning to streamline its premium product lineup and diversify marketing channels to penetrate the Chinese market further.
By Choi He-suk
2008.05.06
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