Sony may set up plant in North

Lalit Mohan

Dharamsala, June 23

Electronics major Sony may start production in North India. Sony India managing director Kenichiro Hibi said this while talking to The Tribune here today.

At present, Sony doesn’t have its own manufacturing unit in India. It was getting its products manufactured by Foxconn India in Chennai. Earlier, Sony used to have its own production facility for music systems and home theatres in Haryana. However, it was closed in 2004 owing to low demand.

When asked if Sony would have its production facility in North India also, Hibi said it might be possible in future. He said in case the demand increases in the area, Sony might initially look for partner to produce its products in North India. It might also look for its own plant but there was no concrete plan for it as of now.

He said the company looked towards India as growing and promising market. Sony was aiming at 20% growth in sales of its Bravia TV series in North India. 

Hibi said he was personally visiting markets in small towns and holding discussions with traders of Himachal to look for the growth potential of Sony TVs.

On higher prices of Sony TVs vis-a-vis its competitor Samsung, Hibi said Sony doesn’t want to compromise on quality to increase sales and was just aiming at premier market.

Sony has been losing its market share in the smartphone market. In the past financial year, the market share of Sony India in smartphones was reduced to just about 1.4%.