HTC expects stronger sales growth in Asian market

High Tech Computer Corp (HTC, 宏達電), the world's biggest maker of handsets running on Microsoft Corp's operating system, said yesterday it is looking forward to stronger momentum in the Asia-Pacific region this year after unveiling its first own-brand phone and service centers in the region.

"Sales growth in Asia in the second half of the year will be stronger than last year," said Jack Tong (董俊良), vice president of HTC Asia.

Tong did not give out specific figures, but said that the rosy speculation was attributed to a good response from consumers to its latest HTC Touch, a smartphone that is competing with Apple Inc's iPhone.

HTC Touch, which made its debut in the market last month, is now available in major Asian markets including Taiwan, Hong Kong, Australia, Singapore and India.

Despite the positive outlook in Asia, company chief operating officer Fred Liu (劉慶東) expected HTC will post weaker sales in the current quarter due to traditionally slow demand in Europe, but said it would pick up in the fourth.

HTC reported a 2.8 percent decline in sales last month to NT$9.8 billion (US$300 million) from the same period last year. Cumulative sales for the first six months were up 0.9 percent to NT$50.5 billion.

Tong was previously chief executive officer of mobile phone brand Dopod International Corp (多普達), which, along with more than 100 employees, was absorbed by HTC this month.

HTC acquired Dopod's Asia operations -- excluding China -- in a deal worth US$14.5 million.

Tong said last month was a very busy period as the company tried to ensure a seamless merger of the two companies while managing the launch of HTC Touch across Asia-Pacific markets.

"The acquisition should allow the old Dopod to become a global brand while improving its time-to-market and cost efficiency," he said.

Tong made the remarks on the sidelines of the opening of "HTC Care," its first service center in Taiwan, yesterday.

With an annual investment of NT$5 million, the 19-ping (62m2) service center showcases handset models and offers maintenance services. It is located at Zhongxiao E Road Sec 2.

Two more centers will be opened in Hong Kong and Singapore by the end of the month.