ECO SMART: (From left) Sasaki, Lee, Suga and other Panasonic directors present the newly launched Smart and Eco concept for the 2012 Viera line-up.
PETALING JAYA: Panasonic Malaysia introduced the Smart and Eco concept for its flat panel TVs and refrigerators respectively today.
The Smart concept is targeted at the expanded range of its Viera Plasma, LED and LCD TVs for this year whilst the Eco concept is for the refrigerators line-up this year.
“Our Smart and Eco concept is our new product marketing direction for 2012. These two concepts represent the technology and features of our new product range that will appeal to our consumers. The Smart concept for our flat panel TVs will focus on five pillars from picture quality, easy operation, networking, eco and design,” said Hiroyoshi Suga, Panasonic Consumer Marketing Asia Pacific managing director.
“The Eco concept which is not new to Panasonic exemplifies the energy efficiency, convenience and comfort in our new refrigerator models for home appliance products,” Hiroyoshi added.
For flat panel TVs, there are 11 new plasma models ranging from 42 to 65 inches in size complete with 3D FHD display together with FHD and HD with Smart Viera features for some model series.
For LED TV and LCD models, there are 16 LED models and 2 LCD models with sizes ranging from 24 to 55 inches with some models complete with 3D FHD display together with FHD and HD and Smart Viera features.
The six new series for Plasma TVs comprise VT50, GT50, ST50, UT50, XT50 and X50 while the six new series of LED TVs include WT50, DT50, ET50, ET5, E5 and X50. The two new series for LCD TVs are U5 and C5.
“The new 2012 model line-up sees our outstanding Smart Viera technology extended
to include a wide range of interactive applications, upgraded networking features, easy operations through smartphones, as well as more screen size options, on top of our renowned picture quality offerings. Combined with our cloud-based networking service, these new models exceed the escalating demands of TV viewers today, introducing a completely unique and integrated TV experience,” said Jeff Lee, managing director of Panasonic Malaysia.
Stunning 3D playback, unmatched 2D image quality, device linking, web content and online communication can all be enjoyed in the living room on a large screen of Viera flat-panel TV or LED TV. Our flagship models this year are the VT50 series for plasma and WT series for LED TVs,” added Lee.
Harry Sasaki, marketing director of Panasonic Malaysia said, “it is noteworthy to mention that a prestigious gadget writer for HD Guru site, Gary Merson reviewed our top range 2012 LED TH-L55WT50 model and concluded with comments that this model sets new performance benchmarks against every other HDTV. In addition to its fresh styling, svelte form factor, and many Internet features, this model makes it a worthy contender for best LED LCD TV of the year.
“These new models again demonstrate the company’s commitment to provide consumers with entertainment options of the highest quality, with respect to Plasma, LED and LCD TVs. It also combines eco sensibility with superior product performance and enhanced networking functionality in a slim profile with extremely attractive glass and metal designs.”
For Eco refrigerators, the new line for 2012 are seven models comprising 1 model for EcoNavi series and 5 models with top freezer and 1 model for Inverter series with bottom freezer with net capacity ranging from 234 liters to 400 liters.
For the EcoNavi series model is NR-BW465XS, top freezer series, the models are NR-BK345MS, NR-BK345SN, NR-BK305MS, NR-BK305SN, NR-BK265SN; whilst the models for bottom freezer Inverter series is NR-BW415VN.
“Our focus this year for refrigerators is the top freezer models, which from our consumer survey showed a high demand for top freezer 2-Door models especially for Malaysian market. To fulfil these demands, our new models are equipped with not only large top freezer compartments but also large compartment for vegetables in addition to the eco offerings from high efficiency compressor,” said Sasaki.
“Currently we have 19 models and with the additional 7 new models for this year, we hope to sell 135,000 units this year compared to last year 125,000 units and to achieve market share of 24 per cent this year compared to last year at 22 per cent,” added Sasaki.