Mitsubishi Pulls Plug On LCD TV Business, Focuses On Larger DLP Sets
Is the LCD HDTV the next to go, or is Mitsubishi simply operating on their own here? The company has just published a press release that makes official a company downsizing. The segment that is being downsized is the TV segment, with a number of offices closing up and the LCD TV business being aborted entirely. The plan seems to be a tighter focus on DLP and LaserVue TVs, particularly on sizes 73" or higher. The company plans to continue selling projectors, display walls, printers and large outdoor displays, but it'll leave the highly competitive LCD business to the others.
It may actually be a smart move. In business, there often comes a time where there are simply too many rivals trying to do the same thing. One of two things usually happens; market consolidation via acquisitions, or market shrinkage by companies dropping out of the race. Mitsubishi seems to be focusing their efforts on a niche market where they already dominate, rather than trying to compete with Sharp, LG, Sony and loads of other companies that are already having great success in the mainstream LCD market. Time will tell if any other LCD maker decides to follow suit and pull the plug, but we wouldn't be surprised given the heightened level of competition out there.