Lenovo aims to become largest PC vendor in 2012

China-based Lenovo has set a goal of surpassing Hewlett-Packard (HP) to become the world's largest PC vendor in 2012, according to company CEO Yang Yuan-qing.

According to IDC statistics, Lenovo shipped 13.01 million PCs for a global market share of 14.04% in the fourth quarter of 2011, next only to HP's 15.12 million/16.13%. Lenovo's global market share in the fourth quarter of 2010 stood at 10.25%.

After steadily maintaining the largest PC market share in China, Lenovo has been making efforts to tap overseas markets. Lenovo has retained Gianfranco Lanci, former president and CEO of Taiwan-based PC vendor Acer, to head marketing in Europe, Africa and the Middle East beginning April 2012. In the North America market, Lenovo has set up a retail network of about 4,000 outlets and aims to increase its PC market share from 5% currently to 10% in 2012.

While many international PC vendors saw shipments in January 2012 decrease 10-15% on month, Lenovo is expected to see 5-8% growth.