U.S. PC makers lose ground in Japan: only IBM bucks trend in world's second-biggest market
Article Abstract:
Japan is the second-largest, and fastest growing PC market in the world, but US PC vendors are not keeping pace with their Japanese competitors. IBM and Apple are the only US vendors among the top five PC makers in Japan. NEC is the leader, although its 1996 market share slipped to 32%, from a approximate 50% in 1993. Fujitsu, with 22% and Toshiba, with 6%, are gaining market share. IBM has a 12% market share, overtaking Apple, whose market share dropped to 11% from 14% after continuing difficulties. US industry leaders Compaq and Dell are not even in the race. Japan's PC shipments have grown 33% in 1996, outpacing the US market's 21% growth. The market share trends do not bode well for US makers. Japanese computing systems are largely based on the Windows-Intel platforms, introduced by IBM and Compaq, but Japanese makers are effectively producing for the Japanese Wintel market, and beginning to compete for export markets.
Publication Name: The Wall Street Journal Western Edition
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0193-2241
Year: 1997
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Untamed frontier; PC makers find China is a chaotic market despite its potential; firms are forced to brave pirates, the government - and own distributors; peddling software on bikes
Article Abstract:
The Chinese computer market is difficult for foreign manufacturers to enter securely and compete in fairly, as software piracy, unhelpful government agencies and unscrupulous distributors are commonplace. The tremendous revenue potential of China's one billion citizens, combined with the fact that it is the second-fastest-growing market in Asia, is too lucrative a draw for many US software and hardware vendors. Many US computer firms with operations in China are involved in joint ventures with Chinese distributors, exporters and parts suppliers, and these often lead to complicated exporting requirements and irregular tariffs. Many Chinese buyers purchase low-cost PC components and construct systems themselves. Microsoft is actively reducing costs and training engineers in an attempt to reduce the threat of software piracy.
Publication Name: The Wall Street Journal Western Edition
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0193-2241
Year: 1996
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Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
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