back to article You heard right: Huawei's making phones in Chennai

Asian tech giant Huawei is to start manufacturing smartphones in India next month, in a move that could signal China is starting to lose its shine as the world’s low-cost manufacturing sweatshop, with even native companies looking to expand elsewhere. Huawei, which is currently the world’s third largest maker of smartphones by …

  1. monty75

    Illustrated with a picture of the Taj Mahal - almost 1000 miles from Chennai.

    1. 404

      That would be because Chennai is world famous for their tacos... would cause too much confusion.

    2. Gis Bun

      I've seen one site uses beige keyboards from the 90s [or before] as their picture. Might as well throw some 8" floppies while at it.

  2. David Neil
    Unhappy

    Great thing about a race to the bottom on workers pay

    There's always some poor bastard "willing" to do it cheaper

    1. Finder Keeper

      Re: Great thing about a race to the bottom on workers pay

      A more charitable explanation might be that the previously poor bastard is now a rich bastard and doesn't want to do the poor bastard's job any more.

      1. YARR

        ...or for countries where "poor bastard" people live this may be the last chance to earn income through export of manufactured goods before the robots take over. Once the labour cost is eliminated manufacturing will be based nearer the consumer, considering energy / environmental costs.

        1. Anonymous Coward
          Anonymous Coward

          Labor is OPEX, robots CAPEX. Which way do you think CxO's are going to come down on?

          1. allthecoolshortnamesweretaken

            Robots are OPEX if you rent/lease them. Just like the company cars.

  3. This post has been deleted by its author

  4. 's water music

    protectionism

    Is this not as likely to be about gaining improved access to a growing smartphone market as presumably China is starting to plateau?

    1. maffski

      Re: protectionism

      In this case it's due (at least in part) to a 12.5% duty on imported smartphones vs. no duty on importing components and carrying out the assembly in India.

      The assembly cost of a smartphone is minimal compared to it's wholesale cost so even if Indian assembly costs significantly more than Chinese it's still cheaper.

      1. Anonymous Coward
        Anonymous Coward

        Re: protectionism

        Also factor in attempting to deal with the exasperating bureaucracy India has, especially if you are a foreign firm. Having a local partner is essential to maintaining one's sanity.

  5. Pen-y-gors

    Just wait

    until the Norks enter the market. Production costs using slave labour: nil, and if any 'staff' want a holiday you send them to kingdom come over the end of a field gun.

  6. Gis Bun

    If India gets to expensive they'll outsource to the Martians but the Martians will have to pay for the shipping.

POST COMMENT House rules

Not a member of The Register? Create a new account here.

  • Enter your comment

  • Add an icon

Anonymous cowards cannot choose their icon

Other stories you might like