By PETER GRIFFIN
Hyundai is set to enter the crowded New Zealand PC market in competition with Hewlett-Packard, Dell and whitebox assembler The PC Company.
The Korean company will sell its line of PCs in 45 Farmers stores in an exclusive deal with the retailer.
The computers will be assembled in Adelaide, shipped to New Zealand and sell for between $2299 and $3799 (GST inclusive), covering three common price points for desktop PCs.
Farmers chief executive Nick Lowe said the chain had become a major PC retailer but needed to broaden its product range.
Hyundai was known for making everything from oil tankers to cellphones, so "while the brand might be new for computers, it's not a new brand for consumers".
"Farmers has built a significant PC business, primarily around The PC Company," he said.
"If you look at any successful PC retailer you can buy more than one brand from them."
Hyundai will enter a busy market that has seen its share of casualties, notably last year's departure of direct-selling PC vendor Gateway. Taiwanese manufacturer Acer recently stepped up its presence, striking a deal with Harvey Norman.
Hyundai transtasman chief executive Aron Jackson said the company would compete on price but aimed to provide better after-sales service, including setting up a PC in the customer's home.
In the three months to June 30, Hewlett-Packard had nearly 42 per cent of the PC market, followed by Dell and IBM. Acer had 1.3 per cent.
Kerry Mancer, managing director of The PC Company, said it was used to its PCs selling alongside rivals.
Hyundai PCs join the throng
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