Business

Wednesday October 7, 2009

Panasonic to up market share in flat-panel TVs

By SHARIDAN M. ALI


Local sales have been escalating 20% to 30% annually

CHIBA: Panasonic Malaysia Sdn Bhd is confident of increasing its market share of flat-panel television by five percentage points to 35% next year supported by the country’s growing consumer market.

Managing director Tony Endoh said flat and large-panel TV sales in Malaysia had been escalating 20% to 30% annually.

“As the consumer market in Malaysia has not been affected by the global economic downturn, the company has projected an increase in total sales this financial year ending March 31, 2010 (FY10) to RM1.7bil from RM1.5bil in FY09,” Endoh told reporters at the Ceatec Japan 2009 – Cutting Edge IT and Electronics Comprehensive Exhibition.

He said Malaysia was the leading market for Panasonic products in Asia.

Tony Endoh wearing the active shutter glasses to view new Viera 3D high-definition television

“The expected increase in market share will also be contributed by the introduction of the Viera 3D high-definition TV with active shutter glasses next year,” Endoh said.

The 50-inch prototype was unveiled at the five-day trade fair which began yesterday.

The new flat panel TV features a high-speed 3D drive and crosstalk reduction technology to maximise brightness as well as reduce image ghosting for rendering sharp and clear three-dimensional pictures.

Endoh said a movie studio in the United States had already shown keen interest in developing 3D motion pictures.

He said the positive sales prospects for Panasonic products in Malaysia were also contributed by its eco-friendly appliances.

“Panasonic is already the leading air-conditioner brand in Malaysia. And with our new inverter-technology that saves almost 50% electricity, we hope to increase total market share by 10% next year from the current 40%,” he said.

Panasonic Corp president Fumio Ohtsubo, in his keynote address, revealed the global vision of the company to come out with new products with better energy management.

“There is an increased awareness that ecology and technology must grow parallel with lower carbon dioxide emission.

“This includes energy solution for the entire house, security and healthcare,” said Ohtsubo, who is also chairman of Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association.

Ceatec 2009 is organised jointly by the Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association, the Communication and Information Network Association of Japan and the Computer Software Association of Japan.

It showcases a wide range of electronics components and devices from digital home appliances to mobile phones.

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