Lenovo to launch IdeaPad, LePad in India this year

Lenovo is likely to rollout UI IdeaPad and LePad in India within a year, Lenovo India managing director Amar Babu said.

UI IdeaPad is a laptop with detachable touch screen that functions as a standalone Linux tablet. It debuted in China a year ago. LePad is an Android-based slate that is expected to be launched in China by March.

Lenovo, however, has no immediate plans to launch LePhone, the Android-based smart phone that comes with an innovative swirl keyboard.

UI IdeaPad and LePad would be brought to India only after a critical volume is achieved in China, Babu said. Even as Lenovo gears up to launch these products in India, it is strengthening its presence in the existing categories.

While domestic PC market grew by 30% in October-December, Levono rose at double the rate, even as it emerged as the leader in the enterprise segment during the quarter.

“Growth has returned in the IT sector. We are seeing that consumers have started buying notebooks: We see growth across categories particularly in the enterprise segment. In the next three to five years, the market is expected to grow somewhere in the range of 15-20% and we hope to grow at a higher rate,” Babu said.

Enterprise segment started showing signs of revival since July and Babu expects growth rates to continue. To cash in on the opportunities, Lenovo is going aggressive in setting up exclusive retail stores across India. Beginning in September from Patna, Lenovo has so far launched 300 low-cost exclusive stores with plans to set up a network of 1000 stores in smaller cities.

“This will give us a huge amount of reach and branding visibility while strengthening our relationship with our partners,” Babu said.