Panasonic boosts 3D TV production

By Robin Harding

Panasonic is increasing its production of 3D plasma television panels after US demand for 3D sets exceeded its expectations when they went on sale in March.

“We’ve had a very strong reaction,” Hirotoshi Uehara, the head of Panasonic’s TV business told the Financial Times. “Our plasma panel factory is at full capacity but we’ve increased 3D panel production by 30 per cent compared to our original plan.”

Panasonic was one of the first companies to put 3D TVs on sale and Mr Uehara’s comments are one of the first signs that the much-hyped technology is proving popular with consumers.

TV makers hope to ride the wave of interest in 3D started by the box office success of James Cameron’s Avatar. Panasonic’s 3D TVs will launch in Japan this month followed by Europe in May. Mr Uehara said that orders were rising “day by day”.

He said that dealers say, what persuades consumers is the risk of buying an expensive TV that becomes obsolete because it cannot handle 3D.

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