By Kim Yoo-chul
LAS VEGAS ― LG Electronics aims to become a serious challenger in the sale of next-generation TVs by lifting its market share in China, a senior company executive said Wednesday (KST).
LG is one of the leading electronics manufacturers, including Samsung and Sony, that unveiled next-generation TVs, including ultra high-definition (UHD) models, at the 2014 International Consumer Electronics Show (ICES) in Las Vegas.
"The market outlook isn't positive. But there will be some growth momentum in advanced smart TV, ultra high-definition (UHD) TV and even OLED TV. LG Electronics will seek to launch new devices," said Ha Hyun-hwoi, the head of LG's home entertainment division, in a dinner meeting with the Korea media.
"China is our primary focus and LG is confident we will strengthen our position in UHD and OLED TVs in China if we have effective marketing," he added.
The executive admitted LG is being challenged by Chinese and Japanese TV makers in those TV segments, though he said the company plans to dismiss such concerns by promoting value-added models.
"We expect the global demand for UHD TVs to reach 15.7 million this year with China only accounting for nine million units. LG is weak in China. However, we will try hard to tackle looming challenges," he said at the Encore Hotel on the Las Vegas Strip, adding the market for UHD has exceeded early expectations.
LG Electronics said its decision to put webOS on its connected TVs was due to the company's belief that the system will offer new business opportunities. "As webOS was already available, chances are high that our webOS TVs will bring high returns," Ha told Korean reporters.
"We are in talks with LG Electronics' other division about whether or not to expand the adaptation of webOS to other devices. Let's see what happens," said the executive.
When now-defunct PDA maker Palm was bought over by Hewlett-Packard (HP) in 2010, there had been plans to use webOS for HP devices, which never happened. LG bought it from HP last year and has given it a new lease of life as its new smart TV platform.
"Users are complaining that smart TVs are too complicated and we think the use of webOS makes it possible for us to simplify and improve the user experience," Ha said. LG Electronics aims to commercialize its first webOS TV within the first half of 2014.
The executive said its traditional PC business was struggling due to the popularity of tablets and smartphones. "LG will shift our focus to high-end models such as all-in-one PCs."
LG has seen its PC shipments almost halve over the past three years, from 1.65 million in 2010, to 1.48 million in 2011 and 940,000 in 2012. A market research firm IDC estimates that LG has shipped 670,000 through the first three quarters of last year, suggesting that its 2013 total will be less than that for 2012.
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| Ha Hyun-hwoi, head of LG Electrnoics' home entertainment division |
LG is one of the leading electronics manufacturers, including Samsung and Sony, that unveiled next-generation TVs, including ultra high-definition (UHD) models, at the 2014 International Consumer Electronics Show (ICES) in Las Vegas.
"The market outlook isn't positive. But there will be some growth momentum in advanced smart TV, ultra high-definition (UHD) TV and even OLED TV. LG Electronics will seek to launch new devices," said Ha Hyun-hwoi, the head of LG's home entertainment division, in a dinner meeting with the Korea media.
"China is our primary focus and LG is confident we will strengthen our position in UHD and OLED TVs in China if we have effective marketing," he added.
The executive admitted LG is being challenged by Chinese and Japanese TV makers in those TV segments, though he said the company plans to dismiss such concerns by promoting value-added models.
"We expect the global demand for UHD TVs to reach 15.7 million this year with China only accounting for nine million units. LG is weak in China. However, we will try hard to tackle looming challenges," he said at the Encore Hotel on the Las Vegas Strip, adding the market for UHD has exceeded early expectations.
LG Electronics said its decision to put webOS on its connected TVs was due to the company's belief that the system will offer new business opportunities. "As webOS was already available, chances are high that our webOS TVs will bring high returns," Ha told Korean reporters.
"We are in talks with LG Electronics' other division about whether or not to expand the adaptation of webOS to other devices. Let's see what happens," said the executive.
When now-defunct PDA maker Palm was bought over by Hewlett-Packard (HP) in 2010, there had been plans to use webOS for HP devices, which never happened. LG bought it from HP last year and has given it a new lease of life as its new smart TV platform.
"Users are complaining that smart TVs are too complicated and we think the use of webOS makes it possible for us to simplify and improve the user experience," Ha said. LG Electronics aims to commercialize its first webOS TV within the first half of 2014.
The executive said its traditional PC business was struggling due to the popularity of tablets and smartphones. "LG will shift our focus to high-end models such as all-in-one PCs."
LG has seen its PC shipments almost halve over the past three years, from 1.65 million in 2010, to 1.48 million in 2011 and 940,000 in 2012. A market research firm IDC estimates that LG has shipped 670,000 through the first three quarters of last year, suggesting that its 2013 total will be less than that for 2012.
