HTC Named Taiwan's Top Global Brand
HTC tops the Taiwan Global Brands 2011 list having the highest brand value. Smartphone maker is expected to become the first Taiwanese firm to become one of the world’s 100 best global brands.
HTC jumped up from third place last year to pass former number one Acer and number two Asus with an estimated brand value of $3.605 billion. That represents a 163% increase from 2010 and surpasses the combined value of Acer and Asus brands, according to independent market studies by Interbrand of Britain and the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA).
Taiwan’s Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) had set three goals: creating top five brands with combined value exceeding US$1 billion, two brands surpassing $1.5 billion, and top 20 brands exceeding $10 billion by the year 2012. All three goals were achieved this year, ahead of the target date.
HTC is now deemed a likely candidate to join the list of the top 100 global brands when it is released on October 5. The Burberry fashion house was ranked in 100th place in 2010 with a value of $3.11 billion.
HTC revenues soared 131% to NT$228.5 billion in the first half of 2011 and is not expected to be affected by the current slump in consumer electronics sales.
Despite its drop to second place Acer’s brand value jumped 38.5% to $1.737 billion on strong sales growth in 2010.
Asus of AsusTek Computer Inc. saw its brand value rise 27.4% to $1.637 billion to take third place. The company’s Transformer tablet computers played a major role in boosting the brand’s sales this year.
Delta Electronics is a new entrant into the Top 20 Taiwan Global Brands list at 17th place. It is Taiwan’s leading maker of power supplies, with a brand valued at $139 million
85C, the popular coffee and bakery chain that recently opened its second big U.S. bakery also made its debut on the list in 11th place with a brand value of $219 million. Judging by the long lines at both its U.S. branches, the chain is likely to enjoy rapid brand growth over the next few years.