Sony plans to increase monthly production of DVD players at its plant
in Chiba Prefecture from 60,000 units to 80,000 units by early 1999.
Monthly DVD production will be tripled to 100,000 units in fiscal 1998
at Matsushita, while Nippon Columbia Co. (TSE:6791) plans to raise DVD
player production from 2,000 units to 3,000 units per month.
Demand for DVD players in Japan is expected to increase to 300,000-500,
000 units in fiscal 1998, and to between 800,000 and 1 million units in
fiscal 1999. The DVD market in the U.S., Europe and other Asian
nations is expected to grow to 2 million units in fiscal 1998, and to
some 4 million units in fiscal 1999. |
