Outline of Main Products and Devices
1) LCD TVs and Large-Size LCDs
Sales of LCD TVs were 169.8 billion yen, up 45% over the same period last year. On a unit basis, sales were 1.56 million sets, up 39% compared to the same period last year.
In the first quarter period ended June 30, 2007, the percentage of all Sharp models sold with a screen size 30-inches and larger rose to 63% in contrast to the 45% in the first quarter of the previous year. Prices for LCD TVs at retailers declined by around 30% compared to a year ago. Nevertheless, the average selling price (the blended price for all sizes) of Sharp LCD TVs for the first quarter period rose by 4% compared to the same period last year. It reflected an increase in the percentage of large-screen models sold and strong sales of high-value-added models such as the AQUOS R Series which realized high contrast ratio and double-speed drive with full high-definition capabilities.
Also, in July 2007, Sharp expanded the production of large-size LCD panels by doubling the input capacity for glass substrates at the Kameyama No. 2 Plant to 60,000 sheets per month. Overseas, we strengthened the integrated production systems from LCD modules to finished TV sets, at our plants in Poland and Mexico. During the 2007 year-end shopping season, we will take full advantage of this highly efficient global production system to make timely delivery to the worldwide market with cutting-edge large-screen LCD TVs that offer outstanding cost competitiveness.
In conjunction with this expansion of our LCD TV business overseas, Sharp will also deploy a strong promotional campaign for the AQUOS, and will further strengthen the AQUOS brand in the global marketplace.
2) Mobile Phones
Sales of mobile phones were 208.5 billion yen, up 50% over the same period in the previous year. On a unit basis, sales were 4.88 million units, up 33% compared to the same period last year.
Sales in the Japanese market grew significantly in the first quarter of the fiscal year, due to our advanced models such as the AQUOS mobile phones, TV handsets that were introduced by three carriers: SOFTBANK MOBILE Corp., NTT DoCoMo, Inc. and KDDI CORPORATION.