Taiwanese smartphone maker HTC is reportedly going to start manufacturing its smartphones in India. This makes HTC only the second major global player to start producing in India, along with market leader Samsung. HTC had finalised a deal with Global Devices Network (GDN), for setting up a assembling and manufacturing unit in Noida three months ago. GDN will make devices for HTC on contract. The trial runs for commercial production are expected to begin from this month and the plant will at first cater to the company’s India requirements. Eventually though, the plant will also cater to the demand in Africa and the Middle-East.
Further, Global Devices Network is apparently also in talks with other companies for making smartphones in India. The company is already a distributor for Samsung’s smartphones and also manufactures a accessories for smartphones. It also invests in other distributors who sell HTC’s smartphones and has its own retail chain as well.
HTC will reportedly start manufacturing its entry and mid-level smartphones in India. This means that the company’s Desire series of handsets, which cost between Rs. 10,000 and Rs. 25,000 will be manufactured here. The Taiwanese company will reportedly also set up a quality control unit in GDN’s plant. The flagship series, HTC One, though aren’t going to be produced in India, for the time being.
Manufacturing devices in India would mean that the cost of HTC’s entry and mid-level smartphones can be lowered in the country.