Acer set to launch more new products

MANILA, Philippines - The local unit of Taiwan-based computer firm Acer is looking to launch a slew of new products in the coming months to help drive up sales of its smartphone line while maintaining its market leading position in the notebook computer segment.

In a press briefing yesterday, Acer Philippines officials said the company intends to launch over a dozen models each for both the notebook computer and smartphone segments starting this month up to the first quarter of next year.

Acer Philippines managing director Manuel Wong said the new products to be introduced to the local market are seen beefing up sales volume to minimize the impact of declining selling prices which has been taking its toll on the entire industry.

“We’re looking at a steady growth but the challenge now is that average selling prices keep on dropping so you need to achieve more volume to sustain the growth you had last year,” Wong said.

Wong said Acer Philippines’ highest selling product to date remains the traditional notebook computers in which it holds a market share ranging from 30 to 35 percent, the highest locally.

Acer Philippines senior product manager Diogenes Vasquez said the company on average sells between 70,000 to 80,000 units of its notebook computers every quarter.

“Last year, we even broke records when we sold 100,000 units during the third quarter. Third quarter usually is peak season because a lot are preparing for the holiday season,” Vasquez said.

But while the company continues to dominate the local notebook computer segment, Acer Philippines officials admitted they are having a hard time competing in the smartphone segment.

Acer Philippines made its foray to the local smartphone market last year.

“We know we have a long way to go. In smartphone, it’s a very competitive market. It changes much faster so we need to continue to develop our product line,” Wong said.

Acer is one of the most trusted computer manufacturers globally. It made its entry to the Philippine market in 2003.