New Delhi: Haier, the consumer electronics and home appliances brand has announced the launch of energy efficient 2008 range of air conditioners and refrigerators in the Indian market.

In 2008, Haier plans to reinforce product offerings across categories and consolidate their position as pioneers in path breaking technology, innovation combined with great emphasis on customer care and requirements.

The entire new range is available in retail outlets selling Haier products as well as in the company's exclusive Planet Haier showrooms across the country from today onwards.

Haier India is 100 per cent subsidiary of Haier Group, which started its commercial operations in January 2004 from north India. In India, the company's product range includes refrigerators, air conditioners, washing machines, Colour Televisions including LCD and Plasma, microwave ovens, clothes dryers, dishwashers, DVD players and home theatre systems.

Planet Haier, the company's exclusive showroom showcases Haier's entire range of home appliances available in the Indian market. The company today has 23 such showrooms across the country and plans to reach a figure of 25 showrooms in the coming few months.

Speaking at the launch of the new range, Pranay Dhabhai, whole time director and COO of Haier Appliances (India) said, ''Haier has always aimed at showing its commitment to inspire customers with the latest products. Our introduction of frost free refrigerator with bottom freezer (BMR) is a clear demonstration of our commitment towards providing products keeping user convenience in mind. We are now set to enhance our range of cooling products, comprising of air conditioners and refrigerators with one of a kind features. Refrigerators will be manufactured at our Pune facility. These initiatives are aimed at further reinforcing Haier's corporate philosophy of Inspired Living and positioning Haier as a market-driven, consumer focused company manufacturing India-centric products. Product innovation, pioneering technology and continued focus on R&D continue to be a driving force area for Haier and that is the reason that our products continue to be highly differentiated, both in terms of their features and functionality''.

The new air conditioner range comprises of 16 Split AC models and 9 Window AC models. With the introduction of the new models, Haier has a line up of 32 Air conditioner models across the Window and Split AC segments.

Haier also announced the launch of 9 new refrigerator models, in both frost-free and Direct-Cool categories to further consolidate their position as No.1 BMR brand in the Indian market. The company is targeting a 7 – 8 per cent market share in refrigerators and 9 – 10 per cent market share in air conditioners in the fiscal 2009.

Haier also plans to strengthen its air conditioner and refrigerator business through an aggressive sales channel expansion for its home appliance business, as well as expanding and consolidating its dealer and after-sales service network across the country in 2008 to ensure complete customer satisfaction.

A 0.75 tonne air conditioner is priced at Rs11990, and the 1.5 tonne AC with DC inverter technology is priced at Rs15990.

Haier's refrigerators have a wide price range as well, with a Mini Bar ridge is for Rs7500 and the Direct Cool Refrigerators are priced at Rs7300 and above. The 'Side by side' refrigerator is priced at Rs1,35,000, and the Haier BMRs are priced between Rs15,990 to Rs23,500.

''2007 was a year of consolidation for Haier. We are backed by our global experience and a strong technological bandwidth. Having established the distribution network and understood the requirements of the Indian market over the past three years, it is now time for us to get ready to get more aggressive in the Indian market. So far we had been spending around 10 % of our revenues on promotions and brand building initiatives. We will be spending a lot more beginning this quarter,'' said Mr. R T Rajan, Director Sales and Marketing, Haier Appliances India.