08.04.2008 — Shipments of large-area TFT LCD panels grew 6 percent Q/Q and 23 percent Y/Y in Q2, according to a new DisplaySearch study.

"Quarterly Large-Area TFT LCD Shipment Report" says shipments increased to 117.9 million units, the largest number of large-area panels ever shipped in one quarter.

Revenue for global large-area TFT LCDs grew 1 percent Q/Q and 30 percent Y/Y, reaching $21.1 million in the United States.

LCD TV panels reached 25 million units in Q2, almost flat from Q1 but up 27 percent Y/Y. Samsung remained the shipment leader with a 21.7 percent share of the LCD TV market.

"Prior forecast for Q2'08 large-area TFT LCD panel shipments were for sequential shipment growth of 5%," says David Hsieh, DisplaySearch VP of Greater China and lead analyst for large-area panels. "Growth in end-market demand exceeded this, however, due in part to the strong pull by downstream customers."

"The strong demand placed on large-area LCD panel producers created a panel inventory pile-up at the brand and system integration level, which is believed to be the main reason for rapid downward panel price adjustments from the middle of June," adds Hsieh, referring to manufacturers slashing prices by as much as $400.

LG Display, which announced plans to reduce LCD production, owns a 20 percent share of the market. The company also says its 2009 HDTVs will support tru2way.

AUO, despite owning 18.5 percent of the market, saw its share fall below 20 percent for the first time in seven quarters.

The top five large-area LCD panel makers accounted for 81.9 percent of the units shipped, a small increase from 80.7 percent in Q1.

LCD monitor panel shipments reached 52.5 million, jumping 6 percent Q/Q and 13 percent Y/Y.

Notebook PC panel shipments hit an all-time high of 37.2 million, which is up 13 percent Q/Q and 37 percent Y/Y.

Q2’08 Large-Area TFT LCD Shipments (shipments in millions)

Original Specification	Application	Q1’08 Shipments	Q2’08 Shipments	Q/Q Growth	Y/Y Growth
LCD Monitor	LCD Monitor	46.9	49.5	6%	7%
LCD Monitor	LCD TV	2.8	3	7%
Notebook PC	Notebook PC	33	37.2	13%	37%
LCD TV	LCD TV	25.1	25	-1%	27%
Others	Others	3.8	3.2	16%	10%
Total	Total	111.6	117.9	6%	23%

Q2’08 Large-Area TFT LCD Shipment Rankings

Rank	LCD Monitor	Notebook PC	LCD TV	Other
1	CMO	Samsung	Samsung	AUO
2	Samsung	LG Display	AUO	Sharp
3	LG Display	AUO	CMO	LG Display