Sony targets low-end market
7/6/2004 13:07
Sony (China) Ltd announced yesterday plans to cut its 29-inch flat
screen color TV prices to around 2,000 yuan (US$241) nationwide as of tomorrow,
going after the low-end market previously dominated by domestic TV makers,
eastday.com reported today.
Sony has previously targeted the high-end market,
with its 42-inch Plasma TV priced at over 50,000 yuan, more than double the
prices of domestic TV makers Skyworth and TCL. Moreover, Sony 50-inch Plasma TVs
were sold at up to 100,000 yuan, 30,000 more than equivalent Samsung
models.
However, Sony is viewing its 29-inch flat screen TVs as its new
growth engine.
As of tomorrow, Sony (China) Ltd will offer two AR29
Cathode-ray tube (CRT) models to the Chinese market, priced at around 2,000
yuan, said a spokesman with the Sony (China) Ltd, adding that at present, the
cheapest 29-inch models are at least 2,900 yuan.
"Currently, we are
preparing for the shipments. The models are expected to hit the Beijing market
this week," the spokesman said.
However, domestic TV giants such as Skyworth,
TCL and Konka are focusing on high-definition digital TVs.
"Although
high-definition digital TVs are gradually proving popular, flat screen TVs still
have a great market potential," Sony's spokesman pointed out. At present,
29-inch flat screen color TVs are priced at an average of 1,900 yuan, and
represent more than 30 percent of the market, he stressed.
Sony's moves have
pressured its rivals.
Last weekend, Samsung reduced its 29-inch flat screen
TV prices from 2,000 to 1,799 yuan.
Panasonic is considering whether to
follow suit. "We will keep a close eye on the market feedback," said Xia
Zhigang, spokesman with Panasonic (China) Ltd.
Wendy Zhang/ Shanghai Daily news
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