Pioneer mulls fate of plasma production

Electronics multinational Pioneer may be nearing an end to its plasma TV business, according to reports. The Japanese business paper Nikkei reports that the company may completely cease production of plasma panels as soon as this year, and instead turn to ones produced by Matsushita Electric Industrial, the world's largest plasma supplier. Pioneer representative Ema Suzuki, meanwhile, tells the Associated Press that the company is reviewing the nature of its plasma business, given faltering sales.

Nikkei notes that while Pioneer initially hoped to ship 720,000 plasma TVs for the latest fiscal year, that number was scaled back to just 480,000. The plasma division may post a loss of 10 billion yen, equivalent to $96 million. The company is said to be shutting down one of its Japanese plasma production facilities entirely, and dedicating the other two in the country to assembling TVs.

Suzuki adds that while no decision has yet been made, Pioneer president Tamihiko Sudo will announce new business plans this Friday.

Filed under: industry, gadgets
Other story tags: TV, Pioneer, plasma