Lenovo considering a design centre in Britain
Lenovo, the Chinese technology giant, has been looking at opening a smartphone design centre in Britain as it continues in its efforts to become the biggest technology business in the market, according to reports.
Gianfranco Lanci, the president and senior vice-president of the company’s European, Middle Eastern and African operations said that its experience and position as the largest technology business in China was “a big advantage” and would help it to advance overseas.
Such a move would help it create handsets to compete with Samsung and Apple in the European market.
According to the Telegraph, locations across Europe are being considered by the company, but the UK could be selected due to its strong reputation in fashion and gadget design.
“Which country comes first is difficult to say but, for sure, we will be in all the big countries,” said Lanci. “Whether it is Germany first or the UK first, I will tell you in six to nine months from now.”
At present, Lenovo does not plan to open its own retail chain to sell smartphones in Europe, as it does in China.
Lenovo launched its smartphones in China three years ago, following up in other fast-growing countries such as India, Vietnam and Indonesia. It a bid to continue this expansion it hopes to sell its first smartphone in Europe in 2014.