China's domestic computer producers Lenovo, Haier, Founder and Tsinghua Tongfang became major beneficiaries of the country's home appliance promotion project in rural areas, with a combined market share of 97.7 percent in the January-June period, according to the latest statistics released by the Ministry of Commerce.

Lenovo computer, the biggest winner, held 44 percent of the rural market share, much higher than its sales record in the domestic market as a whole. Haier computer, the second-tier brand in China, became a dark horse by taking up 27.75 percent of the market share.

Analysts attributed Haier's success to its quality service network, systematic sales channel in rural areas and credible brand quality.

The Founder Computer and Tsinghua Tongfang Computer took up 15.04 percent and 10.94 percent market shares, respectively.

However, other 8 brands among the 18 successful bidders, such as the famous brand HP, only accounted for a small percentage of the market share.

The total sales of computers in rural areas was 110,171 units and the aggregate turnover was 366.66 million yuan (US$53.9 million). The average price per computer was approximately 3,300 yuan, close to the government-set ceiling of 3,500 yuan.

Based on the sales record of the first half, it is estimated that reaching the minimal goal of 700,000 units in the second half will not be easy.

But as the average monthly sales of home appliances in the countryside increased 40 percent month on month, the sales of computers will see a gradual growth.

Selling computers in the countryside is part of the government-funded project for promoting home appliances in rural areas. The project, which started in December 2007 and expanded nationwide in early 2009, aims to boost consumption in rural areas by selling home appliances at prices 13 percent lower than that in urban areas.

(Xinhua News Agency July 31, 2009)