China’s LeTV looks to ‘Make in India’

Chinese electronics group Leshi Internet Information & Technology, also known as LeTV, which has just launched the world's biggest 120-inch TV, says it sees India as a ''great internet power'' in the coming years and that it would make its contribution to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Digital India' mission.

''We see India as a great internet power in the coming five to ten years. India has a great influence on the world,'' Tin Mok, Letv's chief executive for Asia Pacific said in response to a question by a visiting IANS correspondent. ''We can make our contribution to Prime Minister Modi's Digital India mission through cloud computing platforms.''

Tin said India has an advantage over China in many ways as the average age of Indians by 2020 would be around 28 years, which is much younger than the average age in China.

The company, which aims to enter the Indian market early next year, said it would get into partnerships with local content providers in India (See: LeTV to enter India next year, eyes partnerships).

However, the company remained non-committal on questions relating to possible tie-ups, market strategy and its plans for India.

''The number of languages India has could be an obstacle for us to enter the market but we shall overcome the problem with localised content providers and subtitles and would perhaps buy content,'' Tin added.

The company said sales could also be driven by e-commerce partners in India through 'flash sales', but did not reveal any details.

Letv, which works on integrating ecosystems like content, sports, TV, phone, cars, internet and finance, said its US based competitor Apple has a ''very closed'' ecosystem and ''needs to disrupt itself in order to improve.''

The company asserted it was better compared to other brands, especially American technology flagship brand Apple, in each of its product specifications.

Having also launched its next-gen Le 1S phone in China, the company said it was also looking at launching an electric car – also in India and overseas markets.

''We are likely to have a partner, who works on a traditional ways of manufacturing and would combine it with our ecosystem. But the car launch would be independent. We have started early stage negotiations with the Indian government and also an Indian brand,'' Tin said.

This car could possibly be priced below $2,000 to match arguably the most affordable vehicle in the world, the Tata Nano.