By Kim Yoo-chul
Staff Reporter
Despite mounting worries over weakening consumer confidence in the United States due largely to continuing macro-economic woes, LG Electronics continues to dominate the country’s front-load clothes washers and dryers market.
According to data from Stevenson Company, a market research firm, the maker of home appliances captured the No. 1 status during the first quarter of this year in terms of revenue with 23.2 percent, up 1.8 percentage points from a year ago.
Whirlpool, Kenmore and Maytag followed with 22 percent, 15.8 percent and 11.4 percent, respectively, according to the Louisville-based firm.
Since the first quarter of 2007, LG Electronics has been leading the U.S. front-load washers market, a LG spokesperson said Monday.
``We will supply more of the latest washers to larger retailers such as Bestbuy, HomeDepot and Sears in the belief that the group-wide marketing efforts have been effective so far,’’ the official said, attributing the bull run to its greater convenience, capacity and energy savings.
The company will commercialize what it claims is the biggest washer, with a 16.9 square-inch door, while boasting a 4.5 cubic foot capacity in the second half for U.S. consumers.
Front-load washers are considered the brighter segment within home laundry and now represent over 35 percent of all residential washers and dryers shipped, according to the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers.
``Image is the top priority for the company, as well as functions. We hope to maintain the momentum by fueling more on image,’’ the official added.
But in the refrigerator sector, LG has been in trouble with Whirlpool as the U.S. maker is asserting that the South Korean maker infringed on patents it holds for structure, quality and performance of the ice dispenser and even food storage features.