Japanese Manufacturers Bolstering Chinese Digital Camera Production

摘要

Japanese digital camera manufacturers are beefing up production in China. Following successful introductions in Japan and North America, demand for DSCs has expanded to Europe, China and the Asian region. Production is being done in China to deal with intense cost competition and the rapidly growing Chinese market. Japan is the leading market for DSCs with a household penetration rate of more than 50 percent. While the growth rate has slowed in Japan, North America is experiencing sales increases on the order of 50 percent. The growth rate in Europe since last year has been in the double-digit range. This year demand is expected to more than double. Manufacturers expect global demand will continue to increase, Canon has hopes annual sales will grow to about 70 million units this year and eventually reach the 100 million mark. Sony, on the other hand, sees worldwide 2004 sale reaching 60 million to 65 million units. Despite predictions from Casio Computer Co., Ltd. of a 40 percent increase in Europe, 20 percent hike in North America and 50 percent growth everywhere else, some companies were cautious in their projections. To stave off competition from Japanese makers, become more cost competitive against Taiwanese and Korean companies and to meet growing demand in China, many manufacturers are bolstering production in China. In the fiscal year that ends in March Sanyo Electric Corp. has set an annual production target of 20 million cameras as it reinforces production in Dongguan, China.