TCL boosts air-con output

TCL Corp, one of China's leading consumer-electrionics manufacturers, has begun work on a second US$36 million air conditioner plant in Wuhan. The new plant, which begins operations early next year, is intended to help the company diversify its range of products from TVs and telephones and boost its share of the air-conditioner market against established giants Haier, Gree and Media. Hu Lixian, general manager for TCL's air-conditioner business, told state media the company had also opened negotiations with an Italian air-conditioner maker on a joint venture plant in Zhongshan, which will mainly serve the export market as well as the southern and eastern Chinese market.