Panasonic expects Rs 200 cr sales

Panasonic India, the fully-owned subsidiary of the $75-billion Matsushita Group of Japan, expects a quantum jump in domestic sales to between Rs 200-300 crore for electronic consumer goods in 2006-07, with the launch of its new range of plasma and LCD televisions, as well as digital cameras, both still and motion ones.

The firm had registered sales of Rs 125 crore in the previous financial year in the same segment in the Indian market, where it sells colour televisions, washing machines, electric cookers, audio systems, home theatre systems, car audio systems, air conditioners, water purifiers and personal care electric products.

"We believe that the future of television lies in plasma and LCD televisions and we are going to concentrate on this segment. We hope to garner about 25 per cent of that market here," said Shrikrishna Kulkarni, MD,at the product launch.

The company has priced its new range of plasma televisions at Rs 1,39,900 upwards, its LCD televisions at Rs 49,990 upwards, its digital motion cameras at Rs 19,990 upwards and its still cameras at Rs 13,990 upwards.

While Panasonic manufactures cathode ray tube televisions at its factory at Noida, more than half of these are exported to markets in the West Asia. Kulkarni said that the company hoped to capture a quarter of the entire colour television market in India.