Sony vows to never abandon its smartphone business

Sony Mobile CEO and President Hiroki Totoki left some remarks in an interview with Arabian Business on Saturday that really demonstrates the dedication and dive he has towards the mobile sector of Sony’s business.

Practically waving a flag proudly and holding down the Sony ideal, Hiroki has gone on record stating he wants to make the mobile division succeed.

Hiroki describes how Sony has lost money buying 100% of the Ericsson division and went on to lose lots of money due to the purchase. During his time as CEO, he started initiating plans to cut costs by 30%, and to reduce the division’s headcount by 20%. Sony has already laid off 1,000 workers from its Swedish manufacturing and R&D centres in its first wave of cuts and plans to lay off 2,100 more workers by the end of 2015.

These key decisions are crucial to keeping the company afloat. Although tough, Hiroki does not seem to mind. Working with Sony for 30 years, he does not lack business sense. When Sony exited the PC business, which was its VAIO division, people speculated the same would happen to its mobile division.

“Before that rumour, we exited the VAIO business, which was the PC business. That led people to think that Sony would exit the smartphone business, as well. But the smartphone business is very different from PCs.

“Smartphones are completely connected to other devices, also connected to people’s lives — deeply. And the opportunity for diversification is huge. We’re heading to the IoT (Internet of Things) era and have to produce a number of new categories of products in this world, otherwise we could lose out on a very important business domain.

“In that sense we will never ever sell or exit from the current mobile business.”

Sony seems to have chosen a great leader for its mobile division, with the market becoming more and more competitive due to new up-and-coming Chinese companies. As well as shifting ideals in consumers minds that gravitate towards bang for your buck devices and wearables, only time will tell how well Sony does.

Source: Arabian Business
Via: Xperia Blog

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