At least two Chinese smartphone makers — Comio and Oppo’s online only sub brand RealMe — are planning to set up manufacturing units in India, according to top officials of the firms.
While Comio has been operating in India for the last seven months, RealMe made its debut on May 25.
While Comio has outsourced manufacturing to a third party, RealMe is using Oppo’s manufacturing facility at Noida.
“We have a strong presence in north and west,” said Sanjay Kumar Kalirona, chief executive officer and director, Comio smartphone.
“Today, we are entering the southern market,” Mr. Kalirona added.
“By the end of the first year, we would like to capture 2% to 3% market share and increase to 5% the next year,” he said.
In the last seven months, Comio had sold one million devices and is planning to sell three million devices this year. “We are mulling to set up a manufacturing plant in India and evaluating several States that include Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Tamil Nadu. For this, we have set aside ₹150 crore and this would be met through internal accruals,” he said.
Asked about the quantum of manufacture, Mr. Kalirona said the expected number was at least three lakh units per month. Comio hoped to start working on the new unit by the year end.
Adequate numbers
RealMe chief executive officer Madhav Seth said they would start thinking of setting up a new unit after getting adequate numbers.
“We are just a new company and online sales commenced recently.
“Right now, we are using Oppo’s facility. We will set up the new unit anywhere in the country, including South for which we are looking at the right (sales) numbers. As a first step, we have shifted our office to Bengaluru.”
To strike a difference, RealMe is offering its products online, and Comio via offline mode. RealMe products are priced above ₹9,000 for different specs. Comio is targeting youth with its devices ranging from ₹5,000 to ₹10,000.