By Craig Zammit
SYDNEY: Samsung is capitalising on its market leadership in the LCD category, with the launch of two new LCD TV ranges before the end of 2006 – the S7 series, which began hitting stores during September, and the new F7 series, due for release in November.
GfK data obtained by Current.com.au shows that Samsung obtained 22.5 per cent unit share and 26.6 per cent value share of the local LCD market in August 2006, ahead of Sony with 9.3 per cent unit and 13.9 per cent value share and also ahead of LG with 13 per cent unit and 17.5 per cent value share.
GfK data for the month of July 2006 shows Samsung obtained 20.5 pr cent unit share and 23.2 per cent value share of the category, ahead of Sony with 11.8 per cent unit share and 16.4 per cent value share, while LG secured 14.5 per cent unit share and 18.5 per cent value share.
The F7 series will feature a 1080p ‘true’ high definition screen and will be introduced to coincide with the launch of Samsung’s Blu-ray Disc player.
The world’s largest producer of LCDs, Samsung recently achieved the milestone of becoming the world’s number one TV brand worldwide – according to data from DisplaySearch – due in part to its top-selling R7 series LCD TV range.
Samsung LCD TVs have now become the leading brand in Australia, Europe, USA and South East Asia.
The R7 series LCD TVs were introduced into Australia in June and feature a built-in high definition tuner. The 32-inch, 26-inch and 40-inch R7 models achieved the top three selling places in August, and the Samsung 27-inch T5 series LCD TV achieved the fourth highest sales for LCD TVs across Australia in August.