Google will reportedly announce a new Nexus 7 in the coming months — possibly at Google I/O in May — and it’s expected to become a big seller. According to sources in the search giant’s supply chain, 8 million units are expected to ship by the end of 2013.

The new Nexus 7 will be made by Asus, just like the existing model, according to a new report from DigiTimes. One million units will ship in May, with a total of 8 million units shipped by the end of 2013. These figures are expected to help Asus reach its target of 12 million shipments for the year.

With the tablet’s strong contribution, Asustek’s tablet shipments will have a chance to reach its goal of 12 million units for 2013. The tablet’s manufacturer Quanta Computer will also see its shipments rise for the year.

Google will hold its annual I/O conference from May 15 to May 17, and there’s a good chance we’ll see the second-generation Nexus 7 for the first time during this event. Recent rumors have said that the device will feature a Snapdragon processor rather than an NVIDIA one, and that it’ll have a higher resolution display and 3G connectivity.

The device is expected to be priced between $149 and $199, with shipping to begin in June or July.

• SourceDigiTimes