LG Brand of Home Appliances is Launched in The United States by LG Electronics

Jan. 15 -- LG Electronics, a leading global consumer products manufacturer, is making history today with the introduction of a full line of home appliances to the U.S. market under the LG brand name.
The line includes room air conditioners, microwave ovens, refrigerators and washing machines. LGE will market nearly 25 different models featuring the latest in home appliance technology. The products are being showcased at the 2001 International Housewares Show in Chicago's McCormick Place, January 14-17.

LGE has manufactured products for top American appliance companies for years, but this marks the first time the LG brand of home appliances will be sold in the U.S., thereby making the brand available in every major country.

LGE has a global reputation for developing cutting-edge products. The company created the world's first Internet-enabled refrigerator, developed the first beltless washing machine and was the first to apply a new technology -- plasma surface modification -- to improve the energy efficiency of air conditioners. In countries such as Brazil, Korea and India, the company holds the number one market share in home appliances.

"LGE has a long history of innovation in the home appliances field," said Simon Kang, president of LG Electronics U.S.A., Inc. "Today, we're proud to announce that we're bringing those breakthroughs to American homes. The LG brand is synonymous with high quality, innovation and technical superiority."

Globally, LGE is also well known for its excellence in consumer electronics. In the U.S. market, LGE sells CD-ROM drives and computer monitors, including the award-winning Flatron, the first completely flat monitor.

"We our leveraging our ingenuity in consumer electronics to develop 'smart' appliances that make life easier," said Kang. By the second quarter, LGE will begin introducing its appliances through premium retail stores throughout the country.

Microwave ovens
LGE's microwaves feature True Cook Plus technology takes the guesswork out of cooking through a new system that interprets numerical codes printed on food packaging. With the touch of a few buttons, the microwave automatically learns the food's characteristics and weight, resulting in "just-right" preparation. General Mills and other leading food manufacturers have embraced the technology and are printing the codes on select packages. LGE will market two microwaves with the True Cook Plus technology:

• MA-2107, 2.1 cubic feet
• MA-1417, 1.4 cubic feet

LGE will also sell over-the-range and convection microwave ovens, some of which include wide LCD screens. The line consists of:

• Navi Chef, OTR (over the range), 1.9 cubic feet
• Inverter, OTR, 1.9 cubic feet
• MV-1575ST, OTR, 1.5 cubic feet
• MH-1517, convection oven, 1.5 cubic feet

Air conditioners
LGE is introducing a new line of room air conditioners that feature plasma-treated aluminum heat exchangers that maintain higher cooling power, reduce noise and provide higher EER. The technology will improve the air conditioners' long-term performance and reliability. In addition, LGE will sell thru-the-wall and split air conditioners in various sizes and models. The room air conditioner line will include:

• Window: M5203L, M8003L, M1003L, M1203L
• Thru-the-wall: LXA0810ACL, LXA1010ACL, LXA1030ACL, LXA1210ACL, LXA1230ACL
• Split air conditioner

Refrigerators
LG-brand full-size refrigerators are designed to keep food fresher through an exclusive new door-cooling technique that directs airflow from several locations, allowing for faster cooling time, stabilized temperature and even cooling throughout the refrigerator. The door-cooling feature will be available as a top freezer model, GR-T722DE.

Washing machines
Washers feature the world's first Direct Drive system, a brushless, beltless operation that provides a greater rate of reliability than conventional washing machines, plus less noise and fewer vibrations. In addition, the unit boasts a high energy-efficiency rating and a 15-pound capacity that is far bigger than any other washing machine's. The washing machines will be available in three models: WD-1460FD, WD-1465FD and WD-1231RD (washer/dryer).

Internet appliances
LGE is using computer technology to create Internet-enabled microwaves, refrigerators and washing machines that go beyond simple functions to perform more "intelligent" tasks such as collecting recipes, preparing meals, taking inventory and washing clothes according to their fabric. These next-generation appliances are designed to communicate with one another via a digital home network and will maximize the power of the Internet for the comfort and convenience of the consumer.

About LG Electronics' Home Appliance Division
LG Electronics' Home Appliance Division has demonstrated tremendous global growth over the past few years. In the U.S. alone, LGE has more than tripled its sales in three years, and the Division holds a greater vision for the future. With such overwhelming success, LGE believes this is the right time to build the LG brand into a full-line appliance company. LGE has established a very ambitious plan to become one of the top five global home appliance manufacturers.

About LG Electronics
LG Electronics is a major global player in electronics and telecommunications, operating 72 subsidiaries around the world with over 55,000 employees. LGE focuses on Digital TV, Storage Devices, Monitors, Mobile Handsets, Appliances and PDPs. LGE is strengthening its core competencies even more to further its reputation as the "Digital Leader" in electronic and appliance products in the digital era. Merging with LG Information & Communications in September 2000, LG Electronics recorded total sales of US$9.4 billion in the electronics business in 1999 and US$2.4 billion in the information and communications business. LGE is headquartered in Seoul, Korea, and was founded in 1958.

Source: LG Electronics