Panasonic aims to be No 1 in AC mart by '13

Consumer electronics major Panasonic India Pvt Ltd aims to achieve the leadership position of 25 per cent by March 2013 in the split airconditioning market.

Talking to Deccan Herald, Panasonic India Pvt Ltd Director (Sales & Marketing) Manish Sharma said, “With the broadest portfolio of airconditioning solutions across consumer and commercial segments, the company is aiming for leadership position by March 2013. Currently we are placed at fourth position with 10-11 per cent market share.”

The major focus areas for Panasonic India are on airconditioners and flat television followed by refrigerators, digital cameras, washing machines, gadgets for beauty and healthcare. “We are putting lot of emphasing and investing in flat television and airconditioning to establish good growth and market share,” Sharma said. He added that last month, Panasonic introduced 69 models in airconditioning.

Panasonic introduced a “first-of-its-kind” product to its AC portfolio, the ‘CUBE AC’ which is a unique combination of the best benefits of a split AC and a window AC, with stronger air throw and reduced noise levels, quick cooling, unique and stylish looks. These are priced in the range of Rs 18,490 to Rs 21,490, with benefits of both a Window AC as well as a split AC at an economical price.

Panasonic’s innovative and intelligent Eco Navi technology in ACs senses the occupancy in the room and cools select areas translating into reduced energy consumption.

The Eco Navi mono-sensor enables the air conditioner to identify wastage of energy and works on two factors – Low Activity Detection and Absence Detection.

But ACs fitted with Eco Navi technology costs Rs 2,000 more. Panasonic is investing over Rs 120 crore towards marketing and promotional activities of these products. Panasonic India is likely to reach a turnover of Rs 5,500 crore in 2011-12.