Cho Sung-jin -- president of LG Electronics' home appliance division who’s been accused of vandalizing Samsung Electronics washers at the IFA 2014 -- got embroiled in another controversy over his remarks belittling a new Samsung washing machine.
On September 5, the LG home appliance chief made a comment discounting the Samsung Bubble Shot Add Wash at IFA 2015 in Berlin.
“I don’t intend to disparage our rival, but if the additional door (located at the front of the Samsung Bubble Shot Add Wash) is opened while it is already in operation, water can splash out of the tub or the additional door can serve as more of a laundry exit door (than a door for adding extra laundry). On the contrary, LG’s washers come with a zero percent chance of either laundry or water prematurely leaving the tub,” Cho mentioned.
“When the additional door is opened, small amounts of water can splash over. And there is a risk of users accidently sticking their hand into the tub through the door. Thus, making such an additional door is not allowed under the safety rules,” Cho added. According to Cho, the Samsung Bubble Shot Add Wash has failed to meet the safety standards.
An electronics industry insider said, “LG President Cho’s snide remarks against Samsung’s new product went over the line. Besides, his Samsung bashing is so habitual that negative views of him are gaining momentum in the electric and electronics industry. In a situation where the Korean electronics industry is facing unfavorable conditions in and outside the nation, his remarks are very inappropriate.”
As a matter of fact, his anti-Samsung remarks are never a plus for LG. LG has seen the G4, the company’s flagship high-end model, flopping in the smartphone market and its home appliances business posting deficits for two consecutive quarters. LG shares plunged to a 12-year low last month. Therefore, his remarks could produce negative impressions of the electronics company among consumers.
“When consumers think of smartphones, Samsung and Apple come across their minds first. The two manufacturers’ smartphones, of course, excel in product quality, but that’s not all. Their corporate images play a crucial role,” said an official from a securities firm.
“In the home appliance sector, the LG Electronics has always come across as the “second best” electronics brand. LG should carefully figure out the real reason for that as President Cho’s anti-Samsung remarks raised eyebrows rather than doing LG good,” another market watcher said.
President is currently standing trial for allegedly damaging the door hinges of three Samsung Electronics Crystal Blue washers at the IFA 2014 Berlin, held in September last year.
