Haier Group to aggressively target Japanese market

White goods maker, the Haier Group, based in Qingdao, China, has announced that it plans to significantly expand its business in Japan, focusing on high end washer/dryers and refrigerators. To date, Haier has sold lower end products, and in 2009 recorded sales of JPY7.5bn (US$87.8m), to chip out a market share of just 3%. However, the firm has decided to create products specifically designed and made for Japan, starting with a washer/dryer that can take a full 10kg load -- enough to wash a futon. Pricing, however,will be the main competitive point, set at about 20% less than comparable Japanese products.