NEWS GENERAL

As confirmed by recent revenue figures from last year, Sony's TV business, unprofitable for years, is the problem child of the Japanese company. Sales performance in Taiwan, however, is a bright spot.


Currently ranking third in the world hierarchy of TV manufacturers, Sony is set to become number one in the local LCD TV market, again. According to the Taiwan branch, the company will also achieve this years sales target. While the global LCD TV business has been growing slow if at all, Sony will rattle off close to ten per cent growth on the Taiwan market .

Combined sales volume of Sony, LG Electronics and Chimei is totalling up to one-third of overall sales in 2011, which is estimated to up to one million units by market observers. The three major manufacturers will each have a similar market share. With the local manufacturer Chimei, it will equal to 127,000 units, according to a self-imposed forecast.


Insiders expect the local brand manufacturers AUO and CMI to launch entry-level TVs with 32 and 42 inches in the first quarter of 2012. Sequentially, they are followed by new 39- and 50-inch displays that will be offered at the price of 37-inch and a lot cheaper than 55-inch models, respectively.

The new screens are manufactured by cutting six panels from 6G and 7,5G glass substrate and are planned to help raise the capacity utilization of respective production lines.