Number’s up for Yamaha AV, low Australian dollar to blame

By Martin Vedris

MELBOURNE: Yamaha Music Australia’s AV Division is set to increase its wholesale and recommended retail prices on its main categories of AV receivers, home theatre packages, front surround, DVD and desktop audio from 1 March 2009.

The company’s smaller categories of Hi-Fi, speakers, PianoCraft and accessories will increase effective 5 January 2009.

Yamaha Music Australia’s general manager for AV products, Simon Goldsworthy said the weakening Australian dollar was responsible to the price hikes.

“These increases are inevitable as world economic events have lead to increased prices for imported products,” he said. “Our intentions were to hold out as long as possible so as to extend some stability to our dealer network in what is a highly volatile climate.”