HMD Global is doubling down on its strategy of using India as a manufacturing center, with ambitions to begin exporting smartphones and feature phones to Europe and the United States. It has begun shipping to markets in the Middle East and Africa.

Two years ago, the business began exporting feature phones from Indian contract manufacturing facilities certified under the production-linked incentive (PLI) plan, and it later included the Nokia-branded G42 smartphone.

So far, HMD has exported 2 million devices from India, with plans to boost that figure to 4 million by the end of 2025. Initially, the business aimed to distribute HMD-branded smartphones to the Middle East and Africa.

"It will inevitably move to Europe, and we are contemplating the United States. "This will happen gradually.Manufacturing is a major sector that we are concentrating. We are quite hopeful about this. Manufacturing is my background, and I am known for it in the sector. We began exporting with G42 smartphones, and India is now the production location for our own branded HMD Crest smartphones," Jean-Francois Baril, creator of HMD Global.

The production consists of 70% feature phones and 30% smartphones and is carried out in collaboration with Dixon Technologies, an electronics manufacturing services provider. HMD has partnered with Zet Town India, a Zetwerk affiliate, to boost its capacity.

The Finnish business is currently focusing on pushing its smartphone brand, HMD, in a deliberate effort to reinvigorate its market position, which has languished since its 2016 arrival. HMD revised its arrangement with Nokia in August of last year, limiting the use of the Nokia name for smartphones to feature phones only.

This strategic shift is intended to better compete with Chinese brands in Indian and worldwide markets. The Finnish corporation, however, will continue to utilize the Nokia name.

This strategic shift is intended to better compete with Chinese brands in Indian and worldwide markets. However, the Finnish corporation will continue to use the Nokia name for feature phones, citing high brand recall in the lowest end of the market.

On July 25, the business launched its first Crest smartphones under the HMD brand in India as part of a worldwide rollout.

"To be honest, Nokia isn't that important in the smartphone market. However, for feature phones, it is important. It is a big transition. We have been profitable since the third quarter of last year and continue to improve profitability throughout the quarter. We are receiving recognition from banks, investors, key partners, and government authorities."The time has come for us to expand in the smartphone market," Baril remarked.

HMD is counting heavily on the Indian market to grow smartphone sales abroad. Its India approach will differ from those of other worldwide countries in that all devices launched by the brand will be 5G-enabled, as opposed to other regions, which will contain 4G versions.

"We have a plan to be relevant in India now with smartphones," Baril informed me.

The creator stated that HMD is well-positioned to attract additional investors, which will allow the firm to develop even quicker. HMD intends to be a full-fledged smartphone contender in India, launching its high-end Fusion handsets in the coming days.

Ravi Kunwar, CEO and VP of India and Asia Pacific at HMD, stated that the company's major emphasis is on the Rs15,000-20,000 pricing bracket, which is increasing the quickest in the nation due to 5G adoption.

"If demand exists, we can pursue a lower smartphone sector. However, many choose a 5G smartphone with the greatest functionality, which raises the ultimate price. Overall component prices are also rising," stated C00, Alain Lejeune.