According to industry sources and confirmed by a Nikkei News report (Link) Pioneer Corp. is ending production of its highly rated plasma HDTVs and will be exiting the TV business. Pioneer has been losing money on its HDTV plasma operation for quite some time.
Last year Pioneer announced the closing of its plasma panel factory and a plan to outsource its panels to Panasonic, while stating its intention to continue to sell Pioneer branded HDTVs with design and assembly at its own facilities.
This week, due to the current economic climate, Panasonic announced a six-month delay in the opening of its latest and largest plasma panel factory to early 2010. This delay may have been a factor in Pioneer’s decision to abandon TV production.
According to Nikkei, Pioneer also plans to shift its DVD player operations to a new joint venture with Sharp Corp.
Pioneer Electronics USA’s Comments:
“As a matter of policy, we cannot comment on rumors or speculation. As you know, we have publicly announced that we are actively evaluating our business. We started announcing changes in March, 2008 to increase efficiencies of our business operations. We are still in that process but do not have any further announcements at this time.”
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skinnygooch
Posted on 7th February, 2009
I have been waiting to buy and Elite monitor. What do I do now? What’s the next best model that can even match the Kuros and Elite?
Owen
Posted on 8th February, 2009
If this is true, what is going to replace the Kuro range, and that will also mean no OLED TV panels either.
That’s going to leave a huge hole in the market of top end consumer TV Panels.
Sad news.
etype2
Posted on 12th February, 2009
Another Plasma provider bites the dust.
Yesterday Vizio announced Plans to exit the Plasma market. That leaves just 3 major makers left, Panasonic, Samsung and LG.
Two years ago, I wrote in this site the exodus of Plasma makers and the ultimate death of Plasma television. We are one step closer today.
http://gadgetwise.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/02/11/another-manufacturer-drops-plasma/
CZAR AUDIO
Posted on 13th February, 2009
It’s unfortunate that it has come to this, but it was time for this “GOLIATH” to fall. I am a Pioneer Elite dealer in southern California and have observed Pioneers cocky attitude for some time. No change No sale. This company has not adapted well to current economy and the executives at Pioneer are fat dumb and happy in Long Beach CA. OOPS! I didn’t just say that, but this may be the problem. The real victims here are the working class trying to pay bills and survive. Pioneer will be missed but let’s face it folks. It’s over.
A real dealer in SO CAL.
TV
Posted on 18th February, 2009
I am really disappointed to hear about this. I love the Pioneer plasma TVs and I have just bought one.
Kelly
Posted on 4th March, 2009
Closing or not closing, go grab one ASAP otherwise you will regret for not owning the best TV in the industry.
GearModa
Posted on 30th April, 2009
This is too bad, I have been a big fan of pioneer plasmas.
Cheap TVs
Posted on 12th November, 2009
please bring back the brilliant Pioneer plasma TV’s. Getting fed up with all the marketing people turning everyone over to the far too light LCD side 
cheap lcd tv
Posted on 27th April, 2010
Oh i thought pioneer was a great brand, this is bad news
LCD TVs
Posted on 22nd June, 2010
I’ve been a fan of Pioneer for years, I don’t think anyone came close to the quality they produced.
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