Samsung Electronics Eyes Another Strong Year In Malaysian Market

From D. Arul Rajoo LONDON, May 4 (Bernama) -- Samsung Electronics, the world’s largest mobile phone producer, is eyeing another strong year in the Malaysian market after a stunning 1,000 per cent growth last year. Lee Jui Siang, Samsung Electronics' Director of Regional Mobile Business for Southeast Asia, Oceania and Taiwan, said the company has captured about 60 per cent of the mobile phone share and more than 60 per cent of the smart phone market in Malaysia. "We're currently No. 1 in Malaysia. In fact, since the third quarter of 2011," he told Malaysian journalists after the launching of Samsung Galaxy S 3 here Thursday. Lee said the company was confident of another fruitful year in 2012, especially with the launching of Galaxy S 3, but was quick to add that the growth rate may not be as high as in 2011. He said the South Korean manufacturer was confident that with Samsung Galaxy S3 making its debut in Malaysia in early June, it would be able to strengthen its market share. "Samsung Galaxy S 3 is our latest flagship product, and one thing unique about this product is it is designed for human, and it's smart, it's simple, it's effortlessly smart and intuitively simple. "And why I say that, because with Galaxy 3, we've actually introduced a number of features that really sees you, listens to you, and understands you. Understands what you as the owner of the mobile phone needs," he said. Lee said Samsung's dominance in the local market, where it overtook Nokia as the top seller last year was due to the range of fantastic products, ability to cater for the different and wide portfolios, aggressive marketing, advertising and promotions in the television and newspapers. Globally, he said, Samsung sold 93 million mobile phones in the first quarter of this year, of which, 44.5 million are smart phones. Last year, it sold over 300 million units. "Galaxy S 2 is a big driving force. In fact, Samsung sold 20 million units of S 2 within 10 months globally. Our secret is stay closer to consumers, understand what they want and continue innovating," he said. Samsung ended Nokia's 14-year reign as the top mobile phone manufacturer this year and overtook Apple to emerge the world’s biggest smartphone seller. -- BERNAMA