LG Display banking on new TV tech
SEOUL: LG Display Co expects its next-generation TV technology to turn a profit in 2015 as production costs fall and talks to supply Sony Corp, Panasonic Corp and Chinese set makers continue.
Lower manufacturing costs will help reduce prices and end losses in the organic light-emitting diode, or OLED, TV division by the fourth quarter, David Choi, senior vice-president of LG Display’s strategy marketing group, said in an interview, here, yesterday without providing a specific forecast.
The business lost about 550 billion won (RM1.71 billion) last year, according to Hana Daetoo Securities Co estimates, with prices for a 55-inch set reaching US$10,000 (RM32,000).
LG Display, the second-largest maker of flat panels and a supplier to Apple Inc, is counting on lower prices and deals with TV manufacturers to drive acceptance of OLED, which offers a brighter and sharper picture than liquid-crystal displays.
LG Electronics Inc, which owns 38 per cent of LG Display, is the biggest producer using OLED for TVs while Samsung Electronics Co focuses on LCD technology for ultra high definition screens.
“The biggest challenge for OLED TV sales was the high price tag,” Choi said.
“Until now, the OLED TV price almost quadrupled that of the ultra high-definition set, but it will only cost about double from as early as next month.” Bloomberg
