AU Optronics takes the lead in large-area TFT LCD shipments for the first time in August, according to DisplaySearch

DisplaySearch, the worldwide leader in display market research and consulting, has estimated large TFT LCD shipments reached 36.8 million units in August 2007. Shipments of panels larger than ten diagonal inches grew 6% from July and 38% from the prior year. The share of units shipped was split quite evenly among the top-three suppliers, each having a share in the 20%–21% range. Preliminary numbers favor AU Optronics (AUO) with a 20.6% unit share, marking the first time that a Taiwanese supplier has taken the lead over Korean suppliers.
Market dynamics differed by application, but demand remained strong in each segment, as follows :

· Shipments of TV panels drove growth in August by rising 10% M/M and 57% Y/Y to 7.9 million units. The top three suppliers shipped 64% of the total TV panels. Chi Mei Optoelectronics (CMO) edged out Samsung Electronics (SEC) for the #3 position for the first time in August by about one point of share. Adding SEC to the top four, the leaders' share was 81%. August estimates indicate that 40" and larger TV panels comprised 29% of shipments for these four leaders, so the value of shipments likely increased more than the units did.

· Shipments of PC monitor panels grew 8% M/M and 29% Y/Y to 17.4 million units. AUO led shipments for this application for the first time in August by increasing its monitor panel shipments 14% M/M and 45% Y/Y, which includes the output of Quanta Display before the merger. The top three suppliers shipped 50% of monitor panels in August, which was an increase from 48% in July. Panels 20" or larger comprised 24% of monitor display shipments by the top-three suppliers.

· Shipments of notebook PC panels grew 2% M/M and 46% Y/Y to 10.5 million units, as demand remained strong after the prime back-to-school buying season. SEC remained in the lead with more than a 28% share, followed closely by LG.Philips LCD. The top three suppliers of notebook panels had a 79% share in August, down from 81% in July, but they remain powerful in this market segment.

DisplaySearch
The NPD Group Inc.