Sony Targets Smart Phone Sales of 50 M. Units Next Year

Taipei, Oct. 16, 2012 (CENS)--Sony Mobile Communications (formerly Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications), a multinational mobile phone maker, recently announced smartphone sales target of 50 million units next year, resolving to grow sales by 50% year on year (YoY).

Sony also plans to raise outsourcing from 30% to 35% next year, with outsourcing of smartphone to total 15 million to 17.5 million units.

These outsourced orders are to go to Taiwan-based smartphone makers namely Compal Communications, Inc., Arima Communications Corp., and Foxconn International Holdings (FIH), which would offset weak sales experienced by Taiwanese smartphone makers recently.

FIH produced three types of smart phones based on Qualcomm platform for Sony last year, which will be launched this quarter.

Sony was rated the seventh in global ranking of smart phones, but could again move to top-3 with the higher sales target.

Insiders forecast sales volume of smartphone this year to total about 33 million units, up about 48% YoY from last year's 22.5 million units.