By Cho Ji-hyun
Samsung Electronics on Thursday released its new air conditioner model for this year, unveiling its plan to expand its sales of air conditioners by up to 15 percent in the global market.
Dubbed “Smart air conditioner Q,” the product emphasizes the cooling system as well as the air purifier and dehumidifier functions, according to company officials.
“We’re expecting to meet a globally sluggish economy this year, but we plan to grow by more than 15 percent in the air conditioning market this year, considering that we’ve been growing continuously,” said Park Jae-soon, president of the Korea headquarters of the company.
While the cover of the air conditioner opens up sideways with a single touch through the “blooming touch” system, Samsung’s new model can also be controlled by a mobile application downloaded on a smartphone or smart gadget.
In a demonstration held at the news conference, it was shown how the product verbally announces the day’s highest and lowest temperatures, the possibility of rain and the next day’s weather.
“Anyone can easily and conveniently install and use the new air conditioner with the smart app, and the dual cooling fan, the smart cooling system and the super air purifying technology together are deemed to provide clean air,” Park said.
The 2012 model, modeled by globally renowned figure skater Kim Yuna, is also equipped with a virus detecting and cleaning feature. The dual cooling fan is located vertically and can blow cool air up to 13 meters, Samsung officials said.
In addition, the smart inverter ― similar to the one installed in its rival LG Electronics’ new air conditioners unveiled on Wednesday ― saves up to one-third in electricity fees and maintains the indoor temperature, company officials said.
The prices of the new models range from 2.3 million won to 5.6 million won.
Sales from the firm’s digital appliance division took up about 8 percent of the flagship electronic arm’s total sales in 2010. Of the total digital appliance sales, air conditioning product sales accounted for about 20 percent, said Samsung executives.
The executives also said 40 percent of the air conditioners were sold in Korea, while 60 percent were sold overseas, with the U.S. being the biggest market.
(sharon@heraldcorp.com)