(IFA 2010) LG Electronics seeks to sell 40 mln TV sets in 2011

By Lee Youkyung
BERLIN, Sept. 5 (Yonhap) -- LG Electronics Inc., the world's second-biggest TV
supplier, is seeking to sell more than 40 million flat-screen television sets,
both high- and low-end, next year to expand its market presence, its TV business
head said Sunday.
"For profitable growth, we will have both high-end and low-end products," Simon
Kang, president and chief executive officer of LG's Home Entertainment Company,
told a press conference at the annual IFA trade show in Germany.
"Coupled with continuing efforts in supply chain management, 40 million in sales
is a possible goal," he added. The number represents a 40 percent increase from
this year's goal of 25 million units.
Kang also said that the company will meet this year's sales target as improved
sales in the second half of this year will offset sluggish performance in the
first six months. The goal will allow the company to retain the No. 2 position in
the TV industry following its South Korean rival Samsung Electronics Co. and
ahead of Japan's Sony Corp.
LG's high-end model lineup includes ultra-thin 0.88-millimeter, light-emitting
diode (LED) TVs, 3D TVs and smart TVs. More than one-third of its product lineup
next year will be smart TVs with the ability to download applications and premium
content, the LG official said.
LG, which unveiled its first smart TV based on its proprietary operating system
called NetCast, is considering developing a smart TV based on Google's open
platform and Web browsing system, he added. But NetCast will be the company's
priority on its smart TV bandwagon.
ylee@yna.co.kr
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