HTC expects 50% U.S. sales growth in 2009

HTC said it expects its U.S. handset sales to grow by at least 50 percent this year, a growth prospect far larger than the company's overall target.

Jason Mackenzie, vice president of sales and marketing for HTC America, told Reuters that the U.S. sales growth over 2008 levels would represent sales of around 6 million phones this year. HTC forecasts a volume growth of 20 percent worldwide this year. The company has established itself as leading handset maker for Google's Android platform, which complements its status as a major vendor for Microsoft's Windows Mobile OS.

Mackenzie said the company would boost sales despite intense competition in the smartphone market from rivals including Apple, Palm and Research In Motion. Although other major handset makers have said they will release Android phones this year, Mackenzie seemed confident.  "Competitively we feel very good," he said. The company released its third Android phone, the Hero, yesterday, which follows the G1 and the myTouch3G. 

AT&T Mobility has been rumored to be the carrier that will first launch the Hero, which Mackenzie said will debut in the United States this fall. 

For more:
- see this Reuters article [1]

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