OSAKA -- Panasonic plans to open model homes in China, India and the United Arab Emirates this fiscal year as the Japanese company looks to accelerate overseas sales of its housing equipment.

The model homes will showcase a wide range of products, from electrical wiring devices such as outlets, lighting, switches and breaker panels to construction materials including gutters and insulation.

By letting local homebuilders and developers directly examine its product features and functions, Panasonic hopes to boost equipment sales and create opportunities for future marketing of turnkey homes outfitted with appliances.

In all three countries, Panasonic intends to team with local construction and real estate companies to build the model homes and jointly run the businesses.

Panasonic is partnering with Al-Futtaim Group in the United Arab Emirates to build model homes in Dubai, and the Japanese company aims to use that conglomerate's network to expand sales of housing materials.

In India, Panasonic is opening such homes in the northern city of Gurugram, near Delhi, and the southern city of Bangalore. The company also intends to build the homes in China this fiscal year and expand later into other major Asian cities.

By fiscal 2020, Panasonic aims to book one-quarter of its housing equipment sales overseas.

(Nikkei)