Samsung Ranks Top in Global LCD TV Sales
By Kim Yoo-chul
Staff Reporter
Samsung Electronics was ranked the largest liquid crystal display (LCD) TV maker in the July-Sept. period with a global market share of 18.4 percent, according to a market researcher.
The report released by DisplaySearch on Wednesday showed that Samsung has kept the top spot for the seventh straight quarter in terms of value in the highly competitive global LCD TV market with buoyant sales of profitable larger sized TVs in Eastern and Western Europe, and emerging Asian markets.
The U.S.-based research firm, however, said North America overtook Western Europe to become the leading region for LCD TVs and Samsung’s rival Sony led there helped by strong sales in full high-definition TVs.
Sony was the runner-up to Samsung in the three-month period with 15.1 percent, while Sharp, Philips, and LG Electronics followed with 12.5 percent, 9.6 percent, 7.6 percent, respectively.
``What’s impressive is that average selling prices (ASPs), a key indicator measuring profitability, showed the slowest decline in the quarter from a year ago largely due to tight supply in the industry,’’ a Samsung spokesperson said.
``More orders from China for the lunar New Year holiday will offset disappointing results in North America,’’ the official added.
Among plasma TV suppliers, Samsung came in second with 21.3 percent after Matsushita’s 32.9 percent. LG Electronics ranked third with a 16.3 percent share.
Globally, plasma revenues fell 19 percent to $3.8 billion as shipments rose 21 percent, while LCD revenues increased to $17.5 billion as shipments shot up 86 percent, according to the researcher.
``With panel shipments already passing its peak for this year, prices have reached their high point. In light of the arrival of the low season, panel prices are likely to undergo a correction in the short term,’’ said Debbie Tsao, a spokesperson from WitsView, an LCD market research firm.