Plasma HDTV sales will continue to rise before peaking next year and then starting an inevitable decline, according to research by iSuppli Corp.
Global plasma display revenue will rise to $8.6 billion this year, up 12% from 2006, and reach a peak in 2008 of $10.2 billion predicts the US research firm. But then annual revenue will fall to $8.7 billion by 2011, despite growing shipments, as manufacturers cut prices to compete with the dominant LCD market and other technologies.
Supply has been tight in the plasma market as manufacturers have scaled down production to compete with less expensive LCD models, especially in the large screen 40in plus market. The industry hopes that consumer preferences to large 50in plus plasma models will save the market.
Japan’s Matushita (aka Panasonic) is the world’s largest plasma manufacturer with 31.5% of the market, followed by Samsung and LG.
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