Nexgen uses Westinghouse brand to develop U.S. market

Taipei, Dec. 31, 2003 (CENS)--Nexgen Mediatech Inc., a subsidiary of the Chi Mei Group, will ally with the U.S.-based Westinghouse Inc. to launch brand-new series of liquid crystal display (LCD) TVs in the U.S. market under the 'Westinghouse' brand.

It is said that the cooperation between Nexgen and Westinghouse will be based on a higher level than the original design manufacturer (ODM) basis. Nexgen estimated it would see exponential growth in sales next year because of the cooperation with the U.S. giant of home entertainment products. The company projected to see sales double to 100,000 LCD TVs next year.

Nexgen will use its advantage in production capability and Westinghouse's advantage in brand and distribution channel to meet the massive demand of the U.S. market, which is estimated to have an appetite for 20 million TVs per year.

Thanks to the strong backup of its parent Chi Mei Optoelecronics Corp. in the supply of LCD panel, Nexgen saw brilliant exports of LCD TVs this year.

Recently, Nexgen launched new-generation 30-inch LCD TVs, which have been ordered by several U.S. and European customers. The company expected it would be able to export 40,000 LCD TVs on the OEM basis this year. In the third quarter of next year, the company will add such new products as 37- and 47-inch LCD TVs to its product lines.

Thanks to the sufficient supply of large-sized flat panels, the company is phasing out production of plasma TVs and switching to LCD TVs.

At present Nexgen focuses on the production of 15-, 17-, 20-, 27-, and 30-inch LCD TVs. Of them, 27- and 30-inch LCD TVs are the most popular in overseas market. The company said it would see a full range of the products in the third quarter of next year when its parent starts to mass-produce 37- and 47-inch flat panels.

Nexgen uses own brand of 'Polyvision' to sell LCD TVs to such Chinese markets as Taiwan, Hong Kong and mainland China, but sell the products to the rest of the world on an OEM basis.

Since the beginning of the second half of this year, the company has seen monthly shipment reach between 5,000 and 7,000 LCD TVs. In Taiwan, it mainly sells 27- and 30-inch LCD TVs through Tsann Kuen chain stores.