Huawei’s consumer business chief Yu eyes growth in 2020 in face of US and coronavirus pressures

Yu Chengdong, chief executive of Huawei's consumer business group, said he expects revenue at the unit to grow this year despite pressure from the coronavirus health crisis, which has hit supply chains and squeezed consumer demand across the world.

Yu’s forecast, which was given in an interview with local media on Thursday, came as the Shenzhen-based company launched its latest high-end P40 series of smartphones in China. Besides China, the Google-free smartphone will be available in all markets except for the US, Brazil and South Korea.

Yu said that revenue “grew slightly in the first quarter” for the consumer business group, which includes smartphones, personal computers, and tablets.

“For the whole year, our consumer business expects to increase revenue … although this will be very difficult,” said Yu. “The China market will see solid growth, but the overseas market will see a decline.”

The Covid-19 pandemic has sickened millions and forced the temporary closure of smartphone factories across the globe after authorities imposed restrictions on large groups of people being in one place.

“It is almost impossible to avoid a decline in the global smartphone business,” Yu said. “Though sales fell in February in China, we saw growth in January and March.”