Wednesday February 10, 8:08 am Eastern Time
Company Press Release
Chinese Families Make HomePC a Spending Priority
New Report Shows That More Than 25 Percent of Those Surveyed Plan to Buy
CUPERTINO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 10, 1999--More than 25 percent of Chinese parents have listed a HomePC as a top
spending priority according to a survey recently released by Advanced Forecasting-HuiCong.
The report lists the HomePC market as the fastest growing segment in China's high-tech market and the demand has resulted in attracting dozens of computer
vendors including Chinese domestic and international manufacturers.
''Although $1,000 is big money for most Chinese families, more than 25 percent of the families surveyed have put a HomePC under their one year purchasing
schedule,'' states Dr. Peng Fu, chief analyst for Advanced Forecasting-HuiCong. ''The major use of the HomePC is for child education, which is the top issue for
the current one-child Chinese families.''
Dr. Fu also pointed out that less than two percent of Chinese households have a computer at present.
The report includes responses from more than 3,000 families and 300 major distributors and vendors in 40 major cities throughout China. The report also gives
valuable insight into the purchasing preferences and demographics of the Chinese high-tech consumer.
''Any international high-tech vendor will agree that the issue with market information from China is always threefold: timeliness, reliability and accuracy,'' says
Patrick Driscoll, vice-president of AFHC.
''This report was just published and it shows what types of families have and use PCs, how they go about purchasing a computer, where they make their purchase
and what types of computers they purchase.''
Driscoll points out that the methodology of the report allows for greater accuracy. ''Our market research took place in the consumer's homes, where the units are or
will be used. This is a major study that also looks at customer satisfaction.'' Issues such as the customer service provided by vendors and the products' technical
failures are covered.
''This is very valuable information for any high-tech company involved in China or seeking to be,'' said Driscoll.
Since credit cards are non-existent in China, major purchases such as a computer are often planned a year in advance. The report also provides data on what the
Chinese consumer deems ''ideal'' in hardware and software configuration. ''This data was collected just weeks ago, so it gives a very accurate picture of the present
market situation,'' Driscoll said.
Advanced Forecasting-HuiCong is a joint venture of Advanced Forecasting, a leading Silicon Valley forecasting company, and China's largest High-tech Market
Research Group with more than 1,000 survey technicians.
AFHC's data collection capabilities in China provide its clients direct access to the Chinese market for a broad selection of industries and over 100 product categories.
AFHC also delivers quantitative and qualitative information on markets via subscription services, reports, and customized consulting services. Industries include:
personal computer, telecommunication, office automation, automobile, broadcasting & TV equipment, and chemical industries.
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