Vijay Kumar Mikkilineni’s, Marketing Head, TCL India in an exclusive interview with TimesTech Buzz. During the exclusive chit-chat Vijay diligently takes us across the future of the electronics industry, their exclusive product line-up for 2022, their strategies during the lockdown the impact of the pandemic and not to miss TCL’s unique strategies in 2022 to churn their business to new heights. Edited Excerpts below.
TimesTech: What do you think the future of the electronics industry will be like? Any trends?
Vijay: Last year, post the second wave the market witnessed a slow Diwali growth, which has been aggravated by omicron, but then as we know with the vaccine drive and measures like Work-from-home, online classes and schooling lifestyle has changed a lot. At TCL, our technologies are focused at helping life in this transitional period, ourTVs come with camera and hands-free commands, which indeed makes TV more than just a regular medium of entertainment. It is expected that the TV industry will flourish and outlast the last two years figure in 2022.
TimesTech: Insights for the product lineup in 2022?
Vijay: We would like to keep up the excitement, we will surprise you with fantastic QLED series and mini led . Also for the budget customer we are looking for a FHD 32 inch and small screen QLED is on cards along with Google TV upgrade on android 11 models. This year focus is going to be on the premium model sales.
TimesTech: During a lockdown, is there any additional demand for a specific-sized smart television?
Vijay: Lockdown made us realize that TV size matters, there has been a surge in demand for the 55 inches one and also for sizes beyond that. This will further increase in 2022 and we are envisioning the rise in demand for 65 inch and 75 inch drastically.
TimesTech: On upcoming TCL smart TVs, what new technology can we expect?
Vijay: Mini led, which is the latest technology, we would expand the segment. At CES we have seen this technology being presented by us so we are one of the pioneers to develop this and bring it to our customers.
TimesTech: Tell me about your upcoming products and how they are tailor-made to India?
Vijay: Alongside TV we have launched the AC and washing machine made in India line up and we would also venture towards top-load and front-load in full automatic washing machines . Our AC comes with T PRO 4 star technology that filters out viruses along with a smart cooling aspect.
TimesTech: What is the company’s strategy for the year 2022?
Vijay: Our strategy in 2022 is to stabilise our channel partnership as the business is growing exponentially. We are aiming at expanding our distributor network and penetrating into the tier 3 and 4 markets. We are also working on improving the efficient SCM model and enhancing our warehouse network to cater our markets with all our potential, as well as provide faster and better after sales service to our customers.
