MUMBAI: Spark Mobiles, part of the UAE based Spark Group of Companies, has announced its foray into the Indian market.

The handset manufacturer has appointed actor R Madhavan as the official brand ambassador for its new range of mobile handsets which will be launched before the end of calendar year 2009 in India.

Made with German technology, the handset claims to be virtually indestructible under demanding conditions. It is water proof and not merely water resistant. It is shock proof with its toughness tested by a  four wheel drive over. The handset also claims to have a One Month battery standby time with battery that can be manually re-chargeable  This in addition to high end multimedia, web and advanced music features. It also features in- built torch, compass, laser altimeter, barometer and thermometer as well.

Spark Group of Companies Chairperson Elaine Ester Roach said, "We have a strong base and a respectable market share in the United Arab Emirates, and are now eying India as an important potential market for our growth strategy. We have a demonstrable past of challenging established brands, and are confident our handsets would be a hit amongst Indian audiences. We are launching Indestructible mobiles for Indestructible Indians....

Spark mobiles have been designed from the bottoms up in the sense that consumers needs have dictated the features and design as opposed to trying to give them what we have designed, which is the norm unfortunately. Moreover, the company is aggressive in appointing distributors all over the country in a bid to maximise its penetration and has taken into due consideration opportunities presented by the rural masses, who need rugged handsets which can work without electricity and even without networks in a three kilometer radius due to the PTT (push to Talk) technology. Spark is out to create records in volumes and penetration from day one of the product launch and is confident of taking the Indian market by storm and setting new benchmarks in the mobile handset industry..., said added.

The mobiles will be categorized into three, based upon features to cater to every Indian consumers needs  While the toughness is the central theme which runs through all the categories, the lowest priced is the basic model, which would be followed by the feature packed medium range along with the high end set which will be positioned as a life style product.

Currently, the handsets marketed in the country will be manufactured in the United Arab Emirates, where Spark has its production and R & D facilities.