IR News

- First shipment of 120 PDP modules to Europe for industrial usage after successful shipment of PDP TV
- LGE hosts mega PDP TV launching events around the world including Southeast Asia and the Middle East...Wins orders for more than 130 units from Thai airport...Introduction to Latin America and China
- World market volume expected to grow to as much as 6.4 million units by 2005... LGE aiming to become world No. 1


Since successfully shipping its PDP TV to global markets last April and launching large-scale marketing campaigns around the world including the Middle East and Southeast Asia, LG Electronics has also won export orders for the PDP module - a core component of PDP TV/monitors.

In the first shipment, which will go out this month, LGE will supply 120 40- inch PDP modules to European display makers including Teldasat and Hy-Line. Although Korean companies have won some export and supply agreements for PDP TVs in the past, this marks the first case of PDP module export. The PDP modules set for export by LGE will be used by PDP assembly companies to make industrial grade PDPs for use in airports and railways. The final products will be sold in Europe.

LGE's 40-inch PDP is the world's thinnest PDP with a thickness of only 7.8cm while the screen size is 4:3 - the same as conventional TV or PC monitor, making the product suitable for broadcasting and PC environment. The PDP module consists of an operation circuit, power supply and video card, and by adding a TV receiver (tuner) and speaker, a PDP TV is made.

LGE has also launched full-scale marketing campaigns in various parts of the world in line with the introduction of its PDP TV. In May, it organized a PDP TV launching ceremony in Dubai where more than 300 guests from the Middle East's high society including royal families and aristocrats were invited. More recently, it also hosted a PDP TV launch event for the Asian region where more 150 reporters and 500 dealers from 14 countries in Asia took part. At the event, LGE won a large order for over 130 PDP TVs from the Thai airport.

Following the Middle East and Asia, LGE plans to introduce its PDP TVs in China, Latin America, and Europe in July and August.

Accordingly, the company plans to diversify its PDP TV models from the current 40-inch to 42 and 60 inches in the latter part of the year. Its 60-inch PDP TV, the largest PDP TV in the world, is currently in commercial production. LGE also plans to sell its PDP module to Korea in July after first introducing it in international markets.

LGE plans to secure more than 20% of the world PDP market, which is expected to grow to 6.4 million units by 2005, to become the world No. 1 in PDP.