HTC Moves Ahead With Dopod Purchase
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Alfredo Padilla Published on May 08, 2007 Comment on this |
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HTC Today announced that it has signed an acqusition agreement with Dopod of Taiwan, a longtime distributor of HTC's Windows Mobile products. HTC and Dopod have been in acquisition talks for an extended period. Today HTC's Board of Directors approved the purchase, which is still subject to shareholder approval. In conjunction with this announcement HTC announced that they will be using Dopod's extensive Asian distribution channels to begin shipping HTC branded phones in Asia.HTC is world's largest manufacturer of Windows Mobile devices. Historically it has acted as an ODM, with other companies or wireless carriers selling their products under their own brand name. Over the past year HTC has pursued a strategy of selling devices under their own brand name. In pursuit of this goal it severed ties with I-Mate of Dubai, a long time reseller of HTC devices. It is also pursuing deals with wireless carriers that have traditionally rebranded HTC's products to begin selling devices under the HTC brand.
HTC is pursuing this strategy in an environment where competition in the Windows Mobile space has increased significantly. Other ODM's have moved into the space as well as major brands like Samsung and Motorola. As of today Dopod is still shipping HTC handsets under its brand, as it just announced the C500 (aka the HTC Vox) and C730 (aka the HTC Cavalier).
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