“We are investigating into it. But of course they are responsible to us,” Nokia’s worldwide CEO Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo said when asked whether Nokia was planning to pass on the cost of replaced batteries estimated at 46 million globally, to the Japanese company. Nokia, which last week issued a product advisory for replacement of faulty batteries, has till date received about six million calls from Indian subscribers, of which about 4.6 per cent (over 300,000) cases qualified for replacement.
The company did not divulge details about the financial cost for replacing batteries. It had issued a product advisory for the Nokia-branded BL-5C battery manufactured by Matsushita Battery Industrial Co between December 2005 and November 2006.
Asked whether Nokia would severe ties with Japanese firm, the Nokia chief refused to make any statement and said, “we are still investigating the matter.”
India is best
Meanwhile, Nokia said India, which is so far known for its software prowess, is also among the best locations for setting up a hardware manufacturing facility. “It is based on our experience of having set up a manufacturing facility in Chennai. Skills and quality of manpower in India is among the best in the world. I feel India is second to none as location for setting up hardware facility,” Mr Kallasuvo said.
Asked whether the company was able to generate revenues as India was considered a market for low-end handsets only, he said: “India is one of the most versatile markets. It is a mix of all — low, mid and high-end handsets — markets.”
 Nokia has about 4,700 employees at its Chennai factory, 70 per cent of which were women. “We are extremely satisfied with the performance of the factory and we plan to continue to expand here,” Mr Kallasvuo said.