Whirlpool Corp forms strategic partnership with Suning

US white goods giant Whirlpool Corp on Wednesday officially introduced its air conditioners into China market through an exclusive partnership with Suning Appliance Co<002024>.

As a strategic partner, Suning, China's second largest electronics retailer, will be responsible for marketing, post-sale services for Whirlpool products.

Whirlpool will introduce its full range of home appliance products to China step by step and expects China to emerge as its largest market in the world, surpassing the U.S. by 2010, deputy president of the company Kurt Tjaden told reporters, predicting that market demand for air conditioners in the country may hit 34 million units this year.

It might be a shortcut for Whirlpool to bite a share in China market on Suning's brand reputation and nationwide well-located outlets, however, great efforts are still needed in products designing, updating and pricing as confronted with fierce competition from both local and overseas rivals such as Midea<000527> and Mitsubishi, analysts said.