HTC plans to start manufacturing in India. (Source: Nandagopal Rajan) HTC plans to start manufacturing in India. (Source: Nandagopal Rajan)

Encouraged by strong sales growth in India, Taiwanese handsets major HTC has decided to start making products in the country along with a local partner. HTC has manufacturing units in Taiwan and China.

“We have seen tremendous growth in shipment and sales in India. In the first quarter alone, we have grown 150 per cent over the same period last year. We are looking at local assembly to begin with along with a local partner,” HTC President Global Sales Chang Chialin told reporters in Taipei.

Talking to PTI, he said the company will begin assembling small quantities of handsets in India. “It will be small quantities to begin with, below 10 per cent. We will have more clarity by the third quarter of this fiscal. These will be mid-range phones,” he added.

The company does not disclose country-specific shipment details.

According to sources, the company has partnered with GDN Enterprises, which has an assembly set up in Noida. Under the partnership, HTC would begin assembly of devices at this centre that has a capacity of about 8,000 units a day.

Currently, global handset makers like Samsung and domestic players like Micromax and Spice have assembly units in the country. Given the government’s push for ‘Make in India’, many device makers have evinced interest in starting manufacturing in the country.

Last week, Celkon Mobiles inaugurated its manufacturing facility in Telangana, which has been set up with an investment of Rs 200 crore. Micromax will also set up a unit in the state.

“India is not just an important but a crucial market. It has been doing tremendously well for us and we are focused on staying invested in the Indian market,” HTC Chairwoman and CEO Cher Wang said.

HTC has also partnered John Abraham to sponsor NorthEast United FC, a football club promoted by the actor. Besides, it has appointed him as its brand evangelist for India.

“This is a two-pronged pact with HTC. Apart from renewing the lead sponsorship deal with HTC for season two of Indian Soccer League, I will also work with the brand for two years as its brand evangelist,” Abraham said.

The second season of ISL will kick off on October 3 and last till mid-December. NorthEast United FC will play its first match on October 6.

According to research firm IDC, Korean electronics giant Samsung led the smartphone market in India with 22 per cent share, followed by homegrown vendors Micromax (18 per cent), Intex (8 per cent) and Lava (7 per cent) and Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi with 4 per cent share.

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