Taiwan market: BenQ aims to ship 180,000 handsets in 2008

BenQ aims to ship 180,000 handsets in Taiwan in 2008, with models supporting NFC (near field communication) and 3G technologies to be the focus of its marketing efforts, according to Hank Hung, general manager of BenQ Taiwan.

BenQ shipped 35,000 handsets in Taiwan in the first quarter, and the company expects shipments to climb to 50,000 units in the second quarter, led by the planned launch of the E53 3G handset and the T60 NFC handset, Hung indicated.

While outsourcing the production of the E53 to China-based ZTE, BenQ is subcontracting production of the T60 to Thailand-based Cal-Comp Electronics, Hung noted.

However, BenQ will also continue to cooperate with Qisda in handset production, with new models likely to be launched in the fourth quarter, Hung stated.

BenQ will also strengthen its cooperation with telecom service providers, instead of retail channels, to promote its sales in Taiwan, Hung said.

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