Despite challenging conditions in developed countries, Taiwanese smartphone maker HTC Corp. doesn't plan to enter the low-priced market right now because it needs to balance brand image, shipment growth and profit margins, Chief Executive Peter Chou said nin an interview Wednesday. "We don't want to destroy our brand image," Mr. Chou said. Mr. Chou said shipments to China this year will likely be three times those of 2011, and he also sees steady shipment growth to India and other emerging markets. Mr. Chou added HTC will strengthen its marketing, particularly in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.according to marketwatch. HTC would like to buy small software, innovation and marketing companies, he added, explaining that there are no imminent deals. A week ago the company revised down by 13% its revenue forecast for the second quarter ending June 30. It cited weaker-than-expected sales in Europe and delayed shipments of some products in the U.S. The revision comes amid a spiraling euro-zone crisis and indicates a tough environment for players trying to take on Apple Inc. (AAPL) and Samsung Electronics Co. (005930.SE) in a market the two giants increasingly dominate.
