Global sales of flat panel TVs more than doubled in the first quarter to 3.15 million units, driven by significant price reductions supported by large cost savings in factories, a survey found on Tuesday.
Shipments, although up 125 percent year-on-year, slipped slightly by 13 percent from the traditionally strong fourth quarter which benefits from Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, market research group DisplaySearch said.
In the twelve months to the first quarter of 2005, prices for the majority of liquid crystal display (LCD) televisions with screen sizes 20 inches and larger fell by a minimum 20 percent, and up to 40 percent.
Revenue growth, up 141 percent at $4.1 billion in the first quarter, still outpaced unit growth because consumers opted for bigger sized flat TVs.
Europe remained the largest LCD TV region with a 41 percent share of the worldwide market, up from 38 percent in the fourth quarter. Japan remained the No 2 region with 26 percent.
Sharp from Japan remained the leading LCD TV producer with a 21 percent share, down from 21.9 percent. Philips from the Netherlands remained No. 2, although its unit share dropped to 10.9 percent from 14.7 percent.
Samsung from South Korea overtook Sony and nearly caught Philips for the No. 3 position with a 10.8 percent share. Sony claimed a 10 percent global market share.
