Sony Launches Wega Tvs, Plans 85 Products In Fiscal

Sony plans to launch 85 new products in India in the current fiscal and has set the ball rolling with the launch of its latest high-end digital reality creation (DRC) -- Wega colour televisions.

Further products to be launched within the year include home theatre systems, handy cams and other digital products.

Prasun Banerjee, assistant general manager of Sony India, said, "The eastern region is an important market for Sony India. In 2000-01, this region contributed Rs 140 crore out of the total turnover of Rs 650 crore for Sony India, which amounted to 24 per cent of the company's turnover."

 

Colour televisions comprised 55 per cent of the total turnover in 2000-01 and Rs 350 crore of the turnover came from colour televisions, 40 per cent of which was the contribution of Flat TVs. Sony India aims to realise 70 per cent of colour TV sales from Flat TVs.

With further product launches, Sony India aims at registering Rs 725 crore turnover in 2001-02, which is an increase of over 10 per cent over 2000-01. As per an ORG report, Sony commands 60 per cent of the flat TV market share of 85,000 units in India as in 2000-01.

The DRC range of televisions had been launched worldwide in 1999 end, with parallel test launches in India. The soft launch, through Sony outlets in the country, was more than satisfactory, said Ravi Katial, assistant manager, marketing division of Sony India.

Katial said in Kolkata sales amounted to around 50 units of the high-end DRC range in one year through soft launch. The sales target for DRC range in 2001-02 has been set at 10 per cent of the total colour TV sales, which may roughly contribute around 15-18 per cent of the turnover.

Real time processor, which improves picture density with flicker-free still pictures, has been labelled as the unique selling proposition of the product.

The new range of flat Wega TVs with the DRC technology would be available in ranges starting from 29" priced at Rs 79,990 and the maximum would be the 61" at Rs 4,29,000.

Currently, the DRC Wega models are being manufactured by Sony India at its Dharuhera plant.