Fujitsu pulls plug on plasma TVs

Fujitsu P50XHA58EB

Fujitsu will no longer be selling plasma TVs in Australia following the decision by its Japanese parent company to cease production of plasma displays for the consumer market.

Not so many years ago, Fujitsu held a very strong reputation in high-end plasma TVs, but recent models, such as the Fujitsu P50XHA58EB, did not seem to be keeping up with the competition in advancements in the technology and more particularly, price reductions.

The global withdrawal of Fujitsu pretty much leaves the plasma market in the hands of Panasonic, Pioneer and Hitachi. The technology seems unlikely to fade away completely, however. Panasonic, which recently opened a new plasma display panel (PDP) plant in Japan capable of producing 11.5 million panels per year, is gearing up to wow the CES trade show in Las Vegas this week with a massive 150-inch plasma TV. Not to be outdone in the cool stakes, rival Pioneer has unveiled a plasma TV only 9mm thick at CES.

While local sales of new Fujitsu Plasmavision display panels will be halted immediately, Fujitsu's General Manager -- Marketing/Sales, Philip Perham, released a statement to reassure existing customers that the company remains committed to providing after sales service for all models previously sold in Australia.