Production of colour television sets during January-March 2002 witnessed a 43.1 per cent growth, even though sales were constrained. However, the industry expects sales to pick up before World Cup soccer begins.
The first few days of April have been extremely encouraging, especially in West Bengal and Kerala.
According to industry estimates, of the 15.1 lakh units produced during January-March quarter, around 13.5 lakh units were sold.
In fact, production increased 49.7 per cent in January to 5.4 lakh units, as against 3.6 lakh units during the previous year.
In February, production increased 53.2 per cent to 4.8 lakh units (3.1 lakh units in February 2001).
In March, the increase was 28.6 per cent at 4.95 lakh units, as against 3.85 lakh units during the previous year.
Sales of colour picture tubes also increased. Incidentally, colour picture tubes are locally manufactured as well as imported. The imports are minuscule, however.
Sales grew 38.3 per cent year-on-year from 11.7 lakh units to 16.2 lakh during January-March, with February registering maximum growth at 49.6 per cent.
For January, the increase in sales was 44.8 per cent. Analysts said, sales slowed to 38.3 per cent in March because of an inventory pile up.
Samtel is the largest local producer, followed by Hotline, BPL Display Devices and JCT.
Videocon was the largest producer of TV sets during January-March with around 3.2 lakh units.
Interestingly, Videocon registered a 35.9 per cent increase in production, even as BPL registered a 37.3 per cent decline during the period.
In each of three months, BPL fell behind Videocon in sales. This was in contrast to the previous year when it had led.
LG Electronics, Onida (Mirc Electronics), Samsung, Philips and Panasonic were among the other large producers.
Sony registered an increase in production only in March, while Baron's production declined drastically. Its manufacturing pact with Aiwa and TCL continues to be on the rocks.
Suresh Khanna, secretary-general, Consumer Electronics and Television Manufacturers Association (Cetma), said the figures available with Business Standard were "very close" to Cetma's estimates.
He, however, pointed out that sales might not be very high. During March, companies may have produced more, but part of this will build into their inventories in a couple of months.
Khanna said companies might have manufactured more, keeping the World Cup in mind. But sales did not pick up as expected though "markets grew in Bengal and Kerala during April." The industry expects a 20 per cent growth in 2002-03, he said.
