HTC Aims to Sell 2M. Branded Smartphones in Asia-Pacific

Taipei, Sept. 22, 2008 (CENS)--Taiwan-based High Tech Computer Corp. (HTC), a supplier of smartphones, plans to sell 2 million own-brand smartphones in the Asia- Pacific region this year, with over 10% to be delivered in Taiwan, according to company sources.

Smartphones have become increasingly popular in emerging markets such as India and China in recent years, prompting HTC to set the optimistic annual sales goal of 2 million units in the Asia-Pacific market this year.

HTC estimates its overall shipment of smartphones, including own-brand models, at between 13 million and 15 million units this year, contributing over 14% to the total shipment for this year in the Asia Pacific. The firm was the second-largest brand by shipment in the first half of this year.

To further tap the young users and businessmen segments, HTC recently unveiled its newest 2.75G Touch Viva series and 3.5G Touch Pro series smartphones for sale in Taiwan. The brand has contracted the island's largest convenience store chain 7-ELEVEN, with over 4,000 outlets islandwide, to distribute and promote its Touch Viva.

Industry insiders are skeptical that 7-ELEVEN's extensive distribution would help to promote the handset, mainly because consumers can now pay by credit cards to buy Touch Viva, which retail for NT$11,900 per unit.