LG aims for low-tier device sales boost

The Korea Times is reporting that LG is changing its strategy in Mobile, to aim for lower-end handsets – i.e. those in the $100-150 region.

This will allow LG to expand in markets where its hold maybe isn’t so strong – but also to try and roll with the punches of the economic downturn better – competitively-priced low-tier handsets are still very likely to sell well, as they appear more like a commodity.

LG apparently sold 23mn handsets globally in Q3 this year – having done nearly 28mn in Q2 – these numbers include the higher-end models such as Viewty and Secret, which are aimed at higher-spending/luxury consumers. Overally LG expects to do 100mn handsets by year-end.

LG is currently holding 4th position in the handset maker ranks (depending on whose view you take) – but even struggling Motorola (NYSE: MOT) is (arguably) shifting more devices, thanks in no small part to its stronghold of the US market.

However, it’s not just LG on the low-end warpath – the goliath that is Nokia (NYSE: NOK) will surely play hard in this area, as will Samsung. Sony Ericsson (NYSE: SNE) is scaling back operations, and Motorola has been widely reported on in the global press. So the question is, how successful with LG be? Time, as is usually the case, will tell.

[Via: The Korea Times]