Chimei, the LCD TV brand affiliated with Chi Mei Optoelectronics (CMO), made its debut in China by showcasing six new models at the ongoing Asia FPD 2008 in Guangzhou.
Ben Cheng, vice president at Nexgen Mediatech, which operates the brand under the Chi Mei Group, said Chimei-branded LCD TVs will initially target such Chinese coastal cities as Guangzhou, Shanghai, Hangzhou and Nanjing.
Although the market in China is big, pricing is also fierce, he commented. Therefore, Chimei will avoid a price war by focusing on the mid-range to high-end segment, Cheng said.
He said the LCD TV market in China is expected to have a size of 15 million units in 2008, the world’s third largest market for LCD TVs. Some 40% of the China market will be taken by international brands and the rest by domestic ones, he added.
Chimei aims to start shipping its LCD TVs to China in June, with a shipment goal of 30,000-40,000 units for 2008, he said. The mid-term goal is to become a top-10 regional brand in China, he said.
The Chi Mei Group and LG Electronics are two of the biggest exhibitors in the Asia FPD show, which is runs from May 21-23. Other participants in what is deemed to be the biggest display exhibition in China also include China TV makers TCL, Konka, and Skyworth.
