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Konka puts off launch of washing machines, telecom equipment to September

Due to 'restructuring' in the company, Konka Electronics India Limited, or KEIL, has deferred its plans of introducing washing machines to September this year.

Besides, the company will also launch a range of refrigerators and air-conditioners by September, KEIL managing director Ronald Zhang said.

KEIL plans to roll out cellular handsets and has cancelled plans to going in for other telephone instruments. The parent Konka group of China at present has a ten per cent share in the cell handset market in China.

KEIL will now concentrate on CVDs only. "Earlier, we planned to launch video compact discs, or VCDs, but now we have decided against it as the product is on the decline world-wide, including India," said Zhang.

By September, the company will be launching one model of CVD, which will have the facilities of VCDs as well, he added.

Aiming to capture 5-7 per cent of the Indian market share, KEIL will launch washing machines, refrigerators and air-conditioners. "It is too early to divulge details about the range,'' company vice-president R B Tandan said.

The company will introduce fully automatic and semi-automatic versions of washing machines. It will import completely built units of fully automatic units and the local content in semi-automatic models will depend on the specific requirements of the market, Tandan added.

KEIL will launch frost-free and direct cooling range and will also roll out split, window and stand-alone air-conditioners.

The company abolished the post of chief executive officer this year and Zhang has assumed direct responsibility of the company's affairs as the managing director.

UNI

Business