JEDDAH, 26 November 2002 — LG Electronics is poised to launch its home network products like Internet refrigerators, washing machines and airconditioners in Saudi Arabia. “We’ve already introduced such latest technological breakthroughs in the UK and Spain with outstanding results. We hope to launch them here early next year as by then the Internet use will grow further,” K.S. Hwang, LG’s Seoul-based vice president, digital appliance overseas sales marketing team, said in an interview with Arab News earlier this week.
“LG is the real leader in home network products, especially those Internet-related. There is no competition for us as we’re the only one to have been producing and marketing such home network products,” Hwang said.
He emphasized that the Internet-related products showcased at the Harrods in London since May had become a huge attraction for shoppers. “Demand has been unexpectedly exceptional. The price of an Internet-related refrigerator is high — around $10,000 and so not affordable for everyone.” Asked about its likely price here, he said: “It’ll cost the same here.”
Hwang added: “Prices of such innovative products always tend to be high. We should be able to offer low prices on such home network items some day.”
He said LG’s annual sales turnover of normal refrigerators exceeded six million units. “It will take some time for demand for Internet-related home network products to build up and grow. We’ve been studying this market, the most important and biggest for us in the Middle East,” Hwang said. “In terms of brand awareness, we occupy No. 1 position in the local market,” he added.
H.K. Seo, LG’s general manager in the Kingdom, said the Korean electronics giant’s sponsorship of sports activities internationally and also Kingdomwide would continue in the coming year. “We’re sponsoring the World Cup cricket scheduled in South Africa from Feb. 8 to March 30, 2003. In the Kingdom we’ve plans to stage a table tennis tournament for a second year in a row in Jeddah and extend it to Riyadh and the Eastern Province. We propose to have volleyball and golf tournaments also.”
S.M. Arshad, LG’s marketing manager, emphasized that LG’s support for sports would include sponsorship of teams, and local and regional events. He said the company would also promote activities among women like a cooking contest it organized successfully some months ago.
The manufacturer of home appliances and consumer electronics products, meanwhile, announced the introduction of the most advanced refrigerator in the Kingdom through its distributor United Yousef M. Naghi Est.
The “Icebeam door cooling” range claims to have LG’s “unique technological innovative cooling system.” This equalizes the temperature and freshness throughout the whole refrigerator thanks to cool air coming from four directions. Cool air comes out from the door allowing food stored in the door baskets to get cool quickly and remain fresh. Its bio-shield prevents mold proliferation and door sealing distortion so that the stored food remains fresh.