06 October 03

Major Taiwan ITC companies as well as household appliance makers are actively preparing themselves for opportunities in the LCD TV market for expansion, and next CeBIT Hannover might already show the results. While there is a craze for flat panel TV sets in cash-rich Taiwan households, manufacturers hope this trend to spill over to their overseas markets. For buyer orientation, following is a short breakdown compiled from local statistics, of those already on the move:

TECO has launched 15- 20 and 30-inch TVs with monthly production capacity of 30,000 units, with total shipments for 2003 said to be 120,000, and targeting 700,000 units next year. Has set up AV department to market these ranges locally and overseas.

SAMPO has launched 15- 17- and 20-inch TVs and plans to expand into 27- and 30-inch sizes. Targets to ship 500-700 sets monthly this year and 1,000 in 2004.

TATUNG has launched 17- 20- 23 and 30-inch TVs and aims to export 30,000-50,000sets year and 200,000 LCD TVs in 2004.

AMTRAN has launched 15- 17- 29- and 30-inch sets and plans 27-inch early 2004
OEMs include Melco, Sharp and Gateway.

BenQ has launched15- and 20.1 inch sets and plans to go into 26- and 27-inch early 2004. Targets to ship 100,000 units this year and 300,000 next year.

COMPAL has launched 15- and 17-inch products and plans to go into 26- 30- and 40- inch products. Targets to ship 40,000 to 50,000 sets this year and 150,000 to 200,00 next year.

QUANTA has developed 23-, 26- and 32-inch products and plans to ship several thousands unit in October. Has established a display system division led by company chairman Barry Lam and president Liang Tsi-jen, aiming to create another billion business from LCD TVs after already grown to Taiwan's major notebook company.

WISTRON plas to luanch 21- and 25-inch multimedia TVs until year end.

ACER plans to launch 21- and 25-inch multimedia TVs in 4th quarter of 2003.

Gvision has launched 22-inch products and plans to launch 10.4- and 30- inch products in 4th quarter of 2003. Their Mainland China plant began volume production in July.

YA HSIN plans to begin LCD TV production in 4th quarter 2003 at their Mainland China-based factory in Dongguan