Plasma TV shipments reached a record high of 1.13 million units in the second quarter of 2005, up 89 percent for the year, according to DisplaySearch’s Quarterly Global TV Shipment and Forecast Report.
Plasma TVs gained share in all regions and overtook rear projection TVs for the first time in China on a unit basis. As a result, plasma TVs overtook rear projection units worldwide with a 2.9 percent unit share. Plasma TVs now lead rear projection models in all regions except North America where the penetration of 50in and larger TVs remains higher than the rest of the world. Americans favor the lower priced rear projection sets.
Panasonic drove the plasma TV market in the second quarter this year with shipments rising 90 percent. This enabled its global market share to surge from 17 to 27 percent. The brand remained No. 1 in Japan, with North America and Europe gaining share in each region.
LGE, Samsung and Philips maintained the No. 2 – No. 4 positions worldwide with Hitachi overtaking Pioneer for No. 5 and Sony remaining No. 6. Matsushita overtook LGE to become the No. 2 plasma panel supplier with Samsung SDI remaining No. 1.
