Pioneer terminates plasma, looks to LCD, goes Blu and turns up volume

by Alex Zaharov-Reutt

Friday, 07 March 2008

Page 1 of 3 ! Massive changes are afoot at Pioneer, affecting every facet of their business, including plasma TVs, audio, car audio and in-car entertainment and Blu-ray, as Pioneer continues working with Sharp Corporation on the business alliance they formed last year. Well known for producing very high quality technologies in all their business units, Japan’s Pioneer Corporation has clearly found that having some of the very best technologies on the market doesn’t necessarily equate to absolute market dominance. That said, it’s an ultra competitive world we live in today, with electronics companies in Japan, Korea, Taiwan, China, Europe and the US all battling it out against each other for market share, the hearts and minds of consumers, and for profit margins. With Japan still responsible for creating world-class technologies, and Pioneer at the forefront, amongst others, in developing a range of firsts over the decades, when a company like Pioneer announces and makes major changes, its peers in the industry, interested consumers and the media take notice. Pioneer’s first major change is the announcement of the termination of their in-house plasma panel display production after the completion of panel production for their next series of plasma TV models. Pioneer have done this because they have decided that “maintaining the cost competitiveness of plasma display panels at projected sales volumes will be difficult going forward” – despite having arguably the very best plasma displays in the business, after years of meticulous research and development and a number of breakthroughs. But while some might think this means Pioneer is ditching the plasma display altogether, Pioneer say otherwise, noting that they will “produce [plasma] panels externally”, and are looking at the “feasibility of procuring panel modules that may incorporate [Pioneer’s] proprietary technologies” with details yet to come. In addition, Pioneer will work with Sharp Corporation, well known for their high-end LCD TVs, meaning Pioneer will finally join in the LCD TV race, while still continuing to sell and promote Plasma TVs based on their own proprietary technologies – more on this on page 3. Pioneer also aim to “streamline the entire display business to a scale commensurate with sales”, which suggests a reduction in staff is coming, but say they “aim to compensate for cutbacks in the plasma display business by driving further expansion in our growth businesses” by shifting “related personnel and other business resources to the Car Electronics business; the professional sound & visual (Pro SV) business, which involves DJ equipment; and the audio/video product business, including Blu-ray Disc related products.” So, what are Pioneer’s plans in the car electronics business (including in-car entertainment and navigation, home electronics, Pro DJ equipment, Blu-ray and speakers? Please read onto page 2. << First page <   1 2 3 Next page > Last page - Post your comment >>

 

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