ZTE, which is the largest Chinese handset vendor, has reportedly set itself a target to get in to the world’s Top 5 handset vendors (by sales volume I would imagine). The company is apparently 6th in terms of global market-share, and wants to double (yes, double!) it’s annual shipments from 50 million to 100 million units by 2010.
As many of you may know, ZTE don’t just play in the handset space – they are also very strong on the network infrastructure side – however, major investment on the handset side is likely to occur to allow them to achieve this target.
The current “Top 5” consists of (in reverse order) Sony Ericsson, LG, Motorola, Samsung, and of course, Nokia. How research companies arrive at the figures and placings attributed to these companies might affect a couple of placings here and there, but it’s generally accepted these companies are the leaders. I would bet ZTE’s ambitions actually stretch far beyond just getting in to the Top 5 – probably more like leading it – and whilst it may take some time to unseat the Finnish giant in terms of sales volume, some of the other entrants in the Top 5 may not prove insurmountable objects to climb….
[Via: GSMWorld.com]