(LEAD) (New Product) Samsung eyes No. 1 spot in global washing machine market by 2013

(ATTN: REWRITES headline, lead; UPDATES with executive remarks; ADDS sales target)
SEOUL, April 13 (Yonhap) -- Samsung Electronics Co. said Tuesday it aims to
become the world's largest maker of washing machines in three years, hoping its
new power-efficient washers would help it lead the North American and European
markets.
Samsung, which has rolled out 11 new front-loading washers for the domestic
market, plans to chalk up 8 million units in sales globally this year, compared
with about 6 million units last year.
"The bubble washing machine we presented today will be released in North America
and Europe soon. With these new models we think we could lead the washing machine
industry," Park Je-seung, head of sales and marketing at Samsung's home appliance
division, told reporters. "Based on our performance so far this year, we think
this year's target is achievable."
Samsung's major competitors include Stockholm, Sweden-based Electrolux AB and
Benton Harbor, Michigan-based Whirlpool Corp. Electrolux leads the European
market while Whirlpool is a leader in the U.S. market for washing machines, a
home appliance that needs to be tailored to accommodate different lifestyles in
each country.
Samsung forecasts 300,000 sales for its new "Bubble Eco" models this year in
South Korea. The company estimates annual demand is 1.5 million washers in the
domestic market -- 700,000 units for front-loading washers and 800,000 units
top-loading washing machines. Front-loading washers are expected to exceed demand
for top-loading models in the future, it said.
The new models are designed to reduce the cost of doing laundry by half compared
with older products by doubling the amount of bubbles produced from detergent,
the South Korean company said in a press release.
New features include a function to launder outdoor clothing and a built-in drier
that takes 19 minutes to dry one shirt, Samsung said.
Some models are equipped with an air wash function, which sterilizes and removes
odor from clothes without using water, it said. Large-capacity washers can remove
dust and germs from comforters and blankets, which are widely used in South Korea
in place of beds.
The new models have a loading capacity between 13 and 17 kilograms. The least
expensive model is priced at 1.09 million won (US$900), Samsung said.
ylee@yna.co.kr
(END)

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