Nokia China sales up 44 %, deepens partnership with CMCC

Nokia Corp. said its sales in China, the world's largest mobile phone market, grew 44% to USD$3.6bn in 2004, while its export of telecom devices produced in China rose 56% to $USD3.3bn. Nokia said it would add manufacturing capacity and expand its R&D in China this year. At the end of June 2004, Nokia held the largest share of China's mobile phone market at 15.7%, with Motorola trailing at 14.1%, according to the market research firm, GFK Group. Looking to further its pact with China Mobile Communications Corp, the world's largest mobile operator, Nokia has offered a special design to CMCC, marking the first time the company has offered a special design to a single operator, according to Nokia's vice-president in China, reflecting a "renewed operator customization strategy," he said.