Philips Consumer Electronics, the Indian arm of Royal Philips NV, has lined up series of new range of products in the colour television (CTV) and audio segments to drive up growth in 2002 and improve profitability in consequence.
Disclosing this, Rajeev Karwal, senior vice-president, Philips Consumer Electronics, said: "Philips will be more aggressive than the competition in this year. We will launch new range of TVs for the mainstream and top-end markets along with some innovative audio products. In the CTV segment, new offerings would include HD plasma TV, real flat TV variants and projection TV variants while in the audio segment we will bring in battery free radio, new MP3-enabled hi-fis among others."
The high definition plasma TV is being introduced for the first time in the country by any company. HDTVs are capable of playing digital signals which are superior in quality than ordinary analog signals. Many satellite channels have now switched to digital signals but the qualitative change in broadcasting can more clearly be ascertained in HDTVs. Philips has put Rs 3 lakh price tag for this top-of-the-end product slated for launch in January.
The company will launch 15-inch and 25" Real Flat TVs and a new projection TVs. Philips has 10 per cent market share in the real flat category. The 15" would be more mass market product and expected to drive sales in RF segment.
"Over all our CTV share has crossed 6 per cent in November according to ORG. We started the year with 3.6 per cent. Also we have close to 100 per cent market share in plasma televisions," Karwal pointed out.
In the audio segment, battery free radio could be the one of the most exciting new launch from Philips stable. The AM/FM radio with built-in high efficiency power generator does not need battery or any external power source for operation. Tuning the in-built power generator for 1 minute of charging would give nearly 30 minutes of listening.
"Overall, we have 40 per cent share approximately as per ORG. We have almost close to 60 per cent plus share amongst the national brands in the radios, monos and stereos. In the walkmans, CD radio recorders and in the Hi-fi category too we are clear leaders with a share of over 50 per cent this year in the VCD Hi-fi category," Karwal noted.
Philips closed the January-December 2001 fiscal with loss of Rs 34 crore over total income of Rs 1508.3 crore. After making losses in first two quarters, the company returned to black after third quarters ending September, 2001, with net profit of Rs 8.7 crore. Because of late Diwali, the growth was seen in last quarter. Philips hope to sustain the tempo with new launches in this year as well.
