Huawei To Boost Smartphone Shipments
Huawei Technologies Co. plans to boost smartphone shipments by a third this year and surpass 100 million units as the company makes a greater push to target high-end consumers and international markets. This year, the company will focus on flagship products brand marketing to establish Huawei’s brand image "as a symbol of innovation and high-quality products" through its high-end products. The company's Honor brand will focus on internet business and to replicate its online business model to overseas markets.
Mr. Richard Yu, CEO of Huawei Consumer BG, said, "Looking ahead, Huawei Consumer BG aims to sustain the growth momentum created in 2014 and further consolidate Huawei’s leading position in the mid- to high- end smartphone market with a 2015 shipment target of 100 million units. With Huawei’s strong technical capability, Huawei Consumer BG will continue to create extraordinary brand experiences to consumers all over the world and realizing dreams for people everywhere."
Huawei is expanding its lineup of mobile devices priced above $300 to move away from competition with cheaper devices from fellow Chinese vendors Xiaomi and Lenovo.
The portion of Huawei’s smartphone sales coming from international markets will rise to more than 60 percent this year from 52 percent last year, the company said in Tuesday’s statement.
Huawei Consumer BG also announced its 2014 financial performance. The company's total sales revenue increased 30% year-on-year to USD 12.2 billion, crossing the 10 billion mark for the first time. Shipment grew by 7.8% to a total of 138 million devices in 2014, including 75 million smartphones, representing a year-on-year increase of 45%.
The Honor brand unveiled by Huawei last year delivered solid performance in 2014. Shipment of Honor devices reached 20 million units, with Honor 3C series shipping more than eight million units, Honor 3X series over four million units and Honor 6 over three million units.