BusinessWeek is reporting that Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster estimates that Apple will make 13 million iPhones this year and 45 million next year. BusinessWeek has also learned that Apple plans to build 40 million to 45 million iPhone 3Gs in the 12 months through August 2009. When Apple launched the iPhone 3G it planned to build 30 million phones in 12 months, but had to change their plans because of the very high demand. Apple didn’t comment on the estimated numbers but reiterated that it expects to reach the stated goal of selling 10 million iPhone 3Gs in 2008.
Analyst Michael Cote told Fortune magazine that Apple sold 3 million iPhone 3Gs in the first month, when the iPhone was only available in 22 countries. Apple has added 20 more countries this Friday and the company plans to add 30 more countries by end of this year. Apple will also expand distribution in US by adding 986 Best Buy stores. This would definitely keep the sales momentum going.
Munster also expects Apple to release cheaper models at its annual Macworld show in January. The move could help Apple meet the aggressive targets set by many analysts.