EL SEGUNDO, CA – Shipments of LCD-TVs to Southeast Asia are expected to rise by more than a factor of eight from 2007 to 2012, as a result of falling prices, increased user awareness, economic strength and rising consumer affluence in the region, according to iSuppli Corp.

LCD-TV shipments to the region will rise to 13.5 million units in 2012, expanding at a CAGR of 53.9% from 2007. LCD-TV shipments in the region will hit the $6.3 billion mark by 2012, rising at a CAGR of 38.6%.

CRT-TVs continue to dominate the market in Southeast Asia as a result of their lower prices. However, by 2011, LCD-TVs will take a commanding lead in overall television sales as their prices decline, the firm says.

“These economies appear to be weathering the impact of the economic slowdown better than other regions,” said Riddhi Patel, principal analyst, television systems for iSuppli.

“Because of this, more consumers in the region now are able to afford to replace their CRT-TVs with more expensive LCD-TVs, particularly at the larger sizes. While these televisions are mostly being purchased by the affluent and the upper middle class, increased domestic production in the region – which should help lower prices, raise the profile of the product and boost adoption – will encourage more consumers to buy a new LCD-TV set.”

The more mature markets, like Singapore and Macau, along with the emerging countries—Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar and Brunei—are not growing as quickly as Vietnam, Thailand or Malaysia. However, as prices fall, interest is likely to increase in the more developed areas as well, Patel noted.

The Southeast Asian television market is outgrowing the global business, with unit shipments expected to rise at a CAGR of 6% during the period from 2008 to 2012. In contrast, worldwide shipments will increase by 5% and total Asia/Pacific shipments will increase by 3% during the same period, says iSuppli.

ARLINGTON, VA – Worldwide revenue for consumer electronics will grow nearly 10% this year, hitting $700 billion by 2009, says a recent report from the Consumer Electronics Association and the GfK Group.

Consumers will spend $42 billion more on CE products in 2009 over 2008. Countries with fast-growing economies and large emerging middle classes, such as Brazil, Russia, India and China, will lead the way in new CE revenue growth, says the report. By 2009, China will account for nearly 15% of global CE revenue, trailing only North America (22% share) and Western Europe (16% share).

Consumers’ ongoing desire for mobility makes this the largest category worldwide in both unit sales and revenue. Collectively, sales of mobile products will surpass a staggering 1.5 billion units this year, says the report. Topping the list are portable navigation devices, with expected worldwide revenue growth of nearly 20%. Laptop computers (up 15%) and cellphones/smartphones (up 14%) will also see strong sales.

Global revenue for LCD TVs will grow nearly 28%, resulting in more than 100 million units sold worldwide. Flat-screen TV sales will account for nearly 20% of worldwide CE sales. DVD players have expected sales of 127 million units in 2008, while the forecast for video game console sales is 89 million units.

TAIPEI – Quanta Computer and Compal Electronics each expect third-quarter shipments to grow 20% or more sequentially on stronger PC demand.

HUNTSVILLE, AL – Fresh off the sale of two PC manufacturing plants, Sanmina-SCI is going forward with its stated goals to land more military and defense contracts. The EMS firm is reportedly working with Lockheed Martin in a bid for a $3.5 billion contract to build the Army's next-generation intercom system.

Sanmina-SCI reportedly already provides various communications systems to the Army for helicopters. The company employs 1,000 workers in Huntsville.

The deal would cover some 54,000 Army vehicles worldwide, according to a report in The Huntsville Times. 

An Army announcement on the program is expected shortly.