ECO SMART: (From left) Sasaki, Kuniyuki Matsui, managing director Panasonic AVC Networks Kuala Lumpur Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Jeff Lee, Hiroyoshi Suga - managing director Panasonic Consumer Marketing Asia Pacific, Mitsuhiko Nakamura - general director Panasonic Appliances Vietnam Co Ltd, Chris Tomachi, deputy managing director Panasonic Malaysia present the ‘Smart and Eco’ concept for the 2012 TV and refridgerator line up.
PETALING JAYA: Panasonic Malaysia introduced the ‘Smart and Eco’ concept for its flat panel TVs and refrigerators respectively. The Smart concept is targeted at the expanded range of its VIERA Plasma, LED and LCD TVs for 2012 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 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, managing director Panasonic Consumer Marketing Asia Pacific.
The Eco concept which was not new to Panasonic exemplified the energy efficiency, convenience and comfort in the new refrigerator models for home appliance products, Hiroyoshi Suga added.
For flat panel TVs, there were eleven new Plasma models ranging from 42 inches 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 were 16 LED models and two LCD models with sizes ranging from 24 inches 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 of VT50, GT50, ST50, UT50, XT50 and X50 whilst the six new series for LED TVs includes 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 Jeff Lee.
According to Harry Sasaki, marketing director of Panasonic Malaysia, noteworthy to mention that a prestigious gadget writer for HD Guru site, Gary Merson reviewed the top range 2012 LED TH-L55WT50 model and concluded with comments that this model set new performance benchmarks against every other HDTV.
In addition to its fresh styling, svelte form factor, and many Internet features, this model made 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.
“Our aim is to be in the No 1 position in the 46-inch and above flat panel TV sales and to further promote our new LED TVs. Currently our market share for Plasma is above 45 per cent and LED & LCD 15 per cent.
“With this launch we hope to maintain 45 per cent market share for Plasma, and more than 20 per cent for both LED and LCD. Our current market share for total flat TV business is close to 20 per cent and we hope to achieve a sales growth of 3 per cent from this launch,” added Sasaki.
For Eco refrigerators, the new line for 2012 are seven models comprising one model for EcoNavi series and five models with top freezer and one model for Inverter series with bottom freezer with net capacity ranging from 234 litres to 400 litres.
The EcoNavi series model comprise 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 two-door models especially for the Malaysian market.
“To fulfill 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 seven new models for this year, we hope to sell 135,000 units this year compared with last year’s 125,000 units and to achieve market share of 24 per cent this year compared with last year at 22 per cent,” added Sasaki.