Videocon looks to corner 15% share in AC market this year

Videocon Industries is betting on sales network expansion and product launches to sell six lakh air conditioner units this year that will help the company capture 15 per cent market share in the segment.
The company, which had a market share of 10 per cent in the air conditioner segment last year, today introduced eight split AC models under the 'Aryabot' range priced between Rs 34,000-Rs 39,000.
"We had a market share of 10 per cent last year and this year we aim to garner around 15 per cent market share in the segment," Videocon Air Conditioner Division COO Sanjiv Bakshi told reporters here.

The domestic air conditioner market stood at 40 lakh units last year.
In order to achieve the market share target for the year, the company aims to enhance its sales penetration in the country.
"We are looking to enhance our sales of points across the country. We plan to take the number of sales outlets to 9,000 from current 7,000. It will help us in getting additional 5 per cent market share," Bakshi said.

The company aims to sell a total of six lakh ACs this year, he added.
Videocon Head of Technology and Innovation Akshay Dhoot said: "Videocon has been working on this concept for over a year and Aryabot undoubtedly is one of our biggest creations."

Aryabot air conditioners come with features like ability to pair up with smartphones and smartwatches, allowing GPS access. The features responds to the user's GPS location to switch off the AC when one leaves the house and switches it on before one enters the premises.
Besides, the range comes with USB slot for a web cam connection that can be utilised to stream live video on the smartphone.
Aryabot split AC range complies with BEE star ratings and are available in 1 tonne and 1.5 tonnes segments.