Vertu sees room for growth for luxury cellphones

Vertu, the maker of luxury and handcrafted mobile phones, expects strong sales in the region this year, despite the economic downturn.

Linus Kee, Vertu's head of sales in Southeast Asia-Pacific, said yesterday that there is still room for expansion in Asia, one of the company's fastest growth markets.

Vertu, probably the world's most expensive cellphone, appointed luxury brand importer and distributor Everest World to be its local importer and distributor last December.

Its previous local distributor was Master Phone of Panthongtae Shinawatra, son of ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Rattaroj Sirikachaporn, general manager of Everest World, said the company targets to sell some 200 Vertu this year. It has already stocked about 60 Vertu to be sold in Thailand.

The Vertu enhances the company's portfolio of luxury products, he said.

Besides affluent Thais, its major luxury-product customers are tourists from the Middle East, China and Russia.

Akradej Srichawla, CEO of Everest World, said the company's expertise in brand name product distribution among high-end consumers gives it confidence that it could make Vertu the first choice in mobile phones among hi-so's who love an exclusive and luxurious product.

Everest World has already marketed the Vertu Signature mobile phone collection, and also the limited edition Vertu Ascent Ti Ferrari Nero and special edition Vertu Ascent Ti Ferrari Rosso and Vertu Ascent Ti Ferrari Giallo.

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