Panasonic says it will expand its smartphone business to the European market in March 2012. The company says it also aims to bring its overseas smartphone sales to nine million units in fiscal year 2016, ending March 31, 2016, using Europe as a stepping stone to the global market.
With the mobile phone market rapidly shifting to smartphone usage worldwide and a steady growth expected particularly overseas, Panasonic said it aims to tap into this growth with its first global model smartphone for the European market in March 2012.
The main characteristics of the global model are:
- An ultra-slim D-shaped design for easy portability
- Slim bezel with high viewing quality Quarter HD (QHD) 4.3-inch large organic light-emitting diode (OLED) screen
- Waterproof and dustproof for ease of handling
Using this as a reference model, Panasonic will expand its lineup, aiming at sales of 1.5 million smartphones in Europe next fiscal year. Furthermore, in fiscal year 2016, Panasonic targets global sales of 15 million units, including nine million in Europe, Asia, China, and the United States and six million in Japan (of which five million are smartphones).
© Japan Today
7 Comments
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codomo
pana, its too late. but ill keep my fingers ceossed.
nath
Personally, I found that Panasonic mobile phones sold and distributed overseas were more durable and better features than other mobile phones.
That was several years ago. I hope Panasonic can maintain the quality of their products.
But as codomo said, 2012 might be a tad bit late.
anglootaku
Makes good business sense.
Pat Fonta
good stuff
nath
Two versions for domestic and overseas markets or one universal models like iPhone can save development and engineering processes
nath
but the global model is nothing compared to the LUMIX phones , I think that's what people expect , doubt anyone would buy that phone displayed in many sites
JeffLee
"Global model"? Shouldn't all handsets and other IT gear be "global"? Would any sane consumer in this day and age buy a communications device that is "non-global"? No wonder inward-looking Japanese companies have such a weak foothold in ICT.