Panasonic Posts $4.2 Billion Loss - Cuts 15,000 Jobs, Closes 27 Plants

[Johnny2Bad]

Well...what are the new numbers? Has the trend continued, or has Panasonic turned it around?

And, no, I will NOT Google it.

I wouldn't panic over it. Corporations can lose money and still thrive, just like they can make gobs of money and get liquidated overnight. The rules are different for companies; they have many options to raise capital besides borrowing from someone or earning profits; it's not like your or my finances.

Sony lost $US 3 Billion in FY 2009 (ended March 31 2009), and will probably lose money in FY '10. Toyota lost $4.8 Billion in FY 2008, is projecting a $3.9 Billion loss for FY 2009 (ends March 31 2010), etc.

From a consumer's perspective, probably nothing will change with Panasonic.

Oh, and don't get worked up about how Sony calls it FY 2009 and Toyota calls it 2008; even though they end on the exact same day; they can do that if they want.

 

[highfigh]

Looks like those never-ending price cuts in Plasmas & LCDs is finally taking its toll. I had a feeling the constantly shrinking margins in these products was too good to be true. Like everyone else, I liked the way those prices kept falling, and it looks like it's hit bottom.

What do you mean 'finally'? Pioneer got out of most lines because they lost their asses making plasma TVs and had Panasonic make their last series for them. With Best Buy telling everyone that LCD/LED TVs are better and asking why someone would want a plasma, I can see why plasma sales are down, especially since BB is one of the largest TV sellers in the country. Wally World sells mostly Vizio and BB is Panasonic's largest customer. I say we blame BB for this- they grind their suppliers on price because they tell them that sales of those products is down and it's because their salespeople are selling off of the better display format. Circuit City going away didn't help anyone, either. Sears is having major problems and it looks like it will be another case of the better product losing out because of price.

When things are selling well, there's no reason to drop prices- that's simple economics. BB loses money on a lot of what they sell and they try to make up the loss by selling accessories. That's OK for a while but once the market is saturated, sales drop and the seller dies on the vine. Rather than not sell what they are geared up to make, manufacturers have to cut their price to the largest buyers to avoid losing them to another manufacturer and that's never good for everyone.

 

[just-some-guy]

Wally World sells mostly Vizio

i was looking at wally, yesterday. i didn't count, but they had many, up to 10 perhaps, different brands. in no way did vizio stand out.

 

[TheFactor]

Again, this article was posted on 2-9-09, for 08 numbers

Thought it was strange since they came out with a all new line up for 2010 including some 3d models and it appears there the top dogs now in plasma since pioneer stopped making theirs .

 

[highfigh]

I have read that Pioneer will stop making Tvs this year. but as far as other troubles I am not sure.

http://www.switched.com/2009/02/12/pioneer-to-stop-making-tvs-by-2010/

http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10162515-1.html

http://gadgetwise.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/02/12/its-official-pioneer-out-of-the-tv-business/

I'm pretty sure they had already stopped.

 

[TheFactor]

I'm pretty sure they had already stopped.

Yes there done and theres only left overs around .

 

[A.T. Baker]

Ghosting? You might be thinking of static retention, but that problem is minimal on Plasma displays in the current market. I also disagree about "clarity" compared to LCD televisions. LED sets are still LCD, they just use a different backlighting method than what's marketed as LCD. Plasma's have higher contrast ratio, more accurate representation of natural color, and better black levels. Since both markets have 1080p sets I don't think one can be sharper than another really.

Response to Seth re panasonic
The term "ghosting" that I used referrs to screen burning in, when a signal is left on the screen for two long a period of time (like a video game signal). "ghosting may have been a poor choise of words, but that has been a problem since the first Plasma HDTVs came to market. Oh, I understand your point about 1080 pixels, that is the best defining screen now available, but the problem seems to be in how the plasma delivers the signal to the screen.

Now some pats on the back for Panasonic. (1)They have entered the camera market with some incredible performing products. Camera People say they have first rate lenses and electronics. (2)This January at CES, they displayed several 3D HDTV 's that will transform the home TV market. Their working relationship with Direct Tv should pay big benefits at the consumer level.(3) To my surprise, they have purchased Sanyo Electric, which should enable them to become stronger in the alternative power market; i.e. dry cell batteries, rechargable batteries, power storring capabilities, Solar, and other alternative power, water, and heating systems. Sanyo has been very focused on power, and environmental friendly systems. This should prove to be a good move for Panaonic.

 

[bandphan]

Response to Seth re panasonic
The term "ghosting" that I used referrs to screen burning in, when a signal is left on the screen for two long a period of time (like a video game signal). "ghosting may have been a poor choise of words, but that has been a problem since the first Plasma HDTVs came to market. Oh, I understand your point about 1080 pixels, that is the best defining screen now available, but the problem seems to be in how the plasma delivers the signal to the screen.

Now some pats on the back for Panasonic. (1)They have entered the camera market with some incredible performing products. Camera People say they have first rate lenses and electronics. (2)This January at CES, they displayed several 3D HDTV 's that will transform the home TV market. Their working relationship with Direct Tv should pay big benefits at the consumer level.(3) To my surprise, they have purchased Sanyo Electric, which should enable them to become stronger in the alternative power market; i.e. dry cell batteries, rechargable batteries, power storring capabilities, Solar, and other alternative power, water, and heating systems. Sanyo has been very focused on power, and environmental friendly systems. This should prove to be a good move for Panaonic.

Unless you try to get permanent retention or burn in, todays pannys dont have an issue with it.

 

[gene]

I'm gonna try to help Panasonic out tonight by purchasing a new 1080p 42" plasma at HHGreg on sale for $699. That's one heck of a price!

 

[jostenmeat]

Congrats, Gene! Is it the S1, I take it? If so, here is a distillation of a 7-page guide for SM offsets, if you're curious. If you are indeed curious, just ask, and I will hunt down the pdf in full. Yeah, it's just one guy's settings, but you might like them if you can't get majorloser over there anytime soon.

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showpost.php?p=654298&postcount=17

 

[STRONGBADF1]

I'm gonna try to help Panasonic out tonight by purchasing a new 1080p 42" plasma at HHGreg on sale for $699. That's one heck of a price!

You can't get the AH store to price match for you???

 

[TheFactor]

I'm gonna try to help Panasonic out tonight by purchasing a new 1080p 42" plasma at HHGreg on sale for $699. That's one heck of a price!

Congrats !!!!

 

[gene]

You can't get the AH store to price match for you???

Sadly no. The AH E-store dealer cost on that display is more than what HHGREG is selling it for. Incidentally I went to the next model up the G10 which is THX certified for $800. I am now a proud owner of a THX display

I just did a price search and found Amazon selling it for $748. That is insane!

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B001UAEWSU/ref=ord_cart_shr?_encoding=UTF8&m=A2A0CZG0007A9F&v=glance

 

[Alex2507]

The AH E-store dealer cost on that display is more than what HHGREG is selling it for.

Don't come to us when you need help setting it up!




j/k

 

[TheFactor]

Don't come to us when you need help setting it up!




j/k

HA HA Yes because everyones going to be to busy helping me with mine

 

[BruZZi]

Sadly no. The AH E-store dealer cost on that display is more than what HHGREG is selling it for.

.....

 

[BruZZi]

HA HA Yes because everyones going to be to busy helping me with mine

That's correct !!!

.

 

[TheFactor]

That's correct !!!

.

............