NEW DELHI: Apple is set to begin manufacture iPhones in India this year, a local government official said on Friday, as the firm looks to tap a booming middle class as sales in China slow.
The United States (US) giant has not confirmed the move, but Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook said that this week, the company intends to ‘invest significantly’ in India, where a boost in the economy provides ample opportunity for growth.
“We have an understanding with Apple, and we expect them to start manufacturing in Karnataka by the end of April,” Karnataka state information technology and biotechnology minister Priyank Kharge, told AFP. He said that it is likely that the new operation would see iPhones assemble for the domestic market.
Apple has only a two per cent share of the Indian market, well behind rival Samsung, on 23 per cent, according to research firm Canalys. However, last year it had 48 per cent of the premium sector in which phones sell for $450 and above.
Experts said manufacturing locally would reduce the company’s costs and enable it to lower prices.
“They’re eager to be here because they’ve identified India as a strategic focus market,” said Jaideep Mehta of research firm IDC. “They had a fantastic 2016 in India, and shipped more two million devices to India, and now they’re looking to ultimately manufacture here as that gives them more flexibility to respond to market changes.”|
Apple currently sells its phones in India through third-party retailers. It is eager to open its own stores, but Indian law would require it to procure 30 percent of the components of its products locally. It is not clear whether the Karnataka plans would help it clear that hurdle.
Reports in Indian media said Wistron Corp., a Taiwanese electronics manufacturer, was lined up to assemble iPhones at a plant on the outskirts of tech hub Bangalore.