Smartphone maker Gionee India plans to boost its sales team across India to 15,000 by the end of next year and open more than 200 new branded outlets.

It is investing US$50 million in making phones in India, and says that by June all the devices it sells in India will be produced locally. Presently, 40 per cent of its phones are imported from China.
With 6000 on its national sales team already and more than 30 branded outlets, the company’s phones are also available in 25,000 shops, The Times of India reports.
Gionee is also launching a new brand identity, spending Rs 150 crore (about $2.1 million) in the coming six months on marketing activities to make the name more familiar with consumers.
As well as the new shops, the company plans 350 exclusive service centres, says MD Arvind Vohra.

Foxconn is making phones for Gionee at its Andhra Pradesh factory, and the capacity will be increased to reduce dependency on imports.
Vohra says Gionee aims to double its market share next year to 8 per cent.