Lenovo sets sights on European Market

Lenovo Group<992>, the third-largest PC manufacturer in the world, expressed that the company will proceed to launch its products in the European markets, whether or not the company succeeds in its acquisition of Packard Bell.

Although Lenovo is able to leverage on Packard Bell's presence in Western Europe, the company will proceed with initial plans, to launch mid to high end consumer products in European cities, before the commencement of the Olympics next year.

Lenovo's plan to acquire Packard Bell might not materialize, after Acer's announcement of buying Packard Bell through its recent acquisition of its U.S. unit Gateway. The Taiwanese company intends to exploit Gateway's right of first refusal to buy the parent company of Packard Bell. Should Acer succeed in its acquisition plans, the company would gain a competitive edge and overtake Lenovo's global position.

Chief executive of Lenovo, Bill Amelio, commented that the company is still hopeful of its acquisition plans, in a bid to realize its global vision. Despite its desire to acquire Packard Bell, Lenovo will not enter into any partnerships that might potentially bring instability to the existing operations, as the company is still in the process of integrating IBM into the company's infrastructure, after the acquisition in 2005.