KURO Displays

Pioneer is committed to introducing new innovations in plasma and other high definition technologies.

At Pioneer, our passion is to create high definition home theater products that make the hair on the back of your neck stand up and create an experience like never before. We remain enthusiastic about delivering the ultimate home theater experience based on the brand strategy the company set nearly a year ago, to bring to market the best home theater technology.

Pioneer will continue to focus on what it does best, which includes engineering game-changing plasma technology and producing proprietary components that differentiate Pioneer plasma televisions from the rest of the market. The next generation KURO flat panel televisions will be coming this summer as planned with no change in Pioneer production. The only difference starting in 2009 will be that Pioneer will outsource mass production of the plasma modules before they go to finishing and assembly plants to become Pioneer televisions.

Outsourcing product components is common practice among successful consumer electronics (CE) companies all over the world. This is widely regarded as smart business as it allows companies to focus on their specialties. Some specialize in engineering and innovation, like Pioneer, while others specialize in efficiency and quality mass production.

There are three core parts to a plasma television. Pioneer's plan to outsource production of only the plasma panel modules will not impact Pioneer's technologic superiority. This will enable Pioneer to bring high-definition display innovations more efficiently to the customer's living room, home cinema and all of the corners of our life where we can't live without HD. We will have the ability to continue to differentiate and maintain our KURO DNA within these other areas. For example, Pioneer utilizes powerful video processing and color filter technologies that are added in the assembly phase. All of these components work together harmoniously to create the magic of Pioneer's quality KURO displays.

Pioneer is developing plans with production partners to offer exceptional quality and reliability in line with Pioneer's own strategy and high standards. At this time, no specific arrangements or decisions have been made beyond the previously announced mutual capital investment with Sharp.