INTERVIEW: Vivo wants to get 7% of Russian market until 2019

MOSCOW, Dec 25 (PRIME) -- Large Chinese smartphone maker Vivo intends to gain 5–7% of the Russian market, which it entered earlier in December, by the end of 2018, CEO of Vivo in Russia Liao Lusia told PRIME in an interview.

“Now Russia is a key market for us apart from China. We take into consideration requirements of Russian users and respect them in planning a product range. Russia, as one of the biggest world markets, is of a much interest for us,” Lusia said.

The country, where Vivo offered for sale its flagship smartphones V7 and V7+ on December 16, has become the first European market for the Chinese manufacturer,that has experience in selling its devices in China, India and countries of the South-Eastern Asia.

Vivo targets the middle high price range or 20,000–25,000 rubles. Vivo cooperates with large local retail chains, including M.Video, Eldorado, and Know-How, the executive said.

Vivo may consider opening its own stores and production facilities in Russia, if it finds it efficient. Currently the smartphones are manufactured in China, India, and Indonesia.

“When entering new markets, we study the business from various angles, and a decision to launch a manufacturing line in another country depends on many factors, including financial efficiency. If we see that it is a business-effective step, we’ll return the matter,” the executive said.

Vivo will also open its own service centers on the basis of companies-partners and a hotline.

“Speaking about the Russian market, it’s necessary to point out that Russians are among the most advanced smartphone users in the world. They are interested in new gadgets and brands,” Lusia said, adding that Russians appreciate usability, reliability, and versatility, the executive said.

According to M.Video, the country’s smartphone market swelled 15.6% on the year to 259 billion rubles in January–September and added 10% to more than 20 million in units

(58.3152 rubles – U.S. $1)

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