Matsushita to broaden LCD TV lineup

TOKYO (Reuters) - Panasonic maker Matsushita (6752.T), the world's largest plasma TV supplier, said it will launch 37-inch LCD TVs in September, modifying its policy of covering demand for 37-inch and larger flat TVs with plasma models.

Matsushita has been offering LCD TVs for the market of 32-inch and smaller flat televisions, while catering to demand for larger flat TVs mainly with plasma models, missing out on strong growth in large-sized LCD TV demand.

The 37-inch full high-definition LCD TV will go on sale in Japan on September 1 for an estimated price of 300,000 yen ($2,508). Osaka-based Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. aims to offer the model in overseas markets by the end of the year.

Plasma TVs once dominated the large-sized flat TV market with cheaper price tags and a more natural picture quality. They have lost ground as LCD TV makers have been able to roll out bigger models at cheaper prices by introducing larger and more cost-efficient production lines.

Global LCD TV sales grew 54 percent from a year ago to $13.6 billion in January-March, while plasma TV sales fell 9 percent to $3.6 billion, according to data from DisplaySearch.

But Matsushita, which competes with Samsung Electronics Co. (005930.KS) and Sony Corp. (6758.T) in the $82 billion global flat TV market, said on Thursday it has no plan to abandon its basic strategy of covering demand for big-screen TVs with plasma.

($1=119.62 Yen)