LED count in TV BLUs to fall by 30% at the end of 2010, says AUO
DIGITIMES 2010/04/16
Siu Han, Taipei; Yvonne Yu, DIGITIMES [Thursday 15 April 2010]

The volume of LEDs used in TV backlight units (BLUs) will reduce by about 30% at the end of 2010 when single-side edge-type LED BLUs enter mass production, according to AU Optronics (AUO).

The single-side edge-type LED BLUs will be applied to new LCD TVs in 2011, AUO added.

LED-backlit models will account for 90% of the global notebook market, and 20% each of the LCD TV and monitor markets in 2010, AUO noted, adding that LED-backlit TV share will reach 30-40% at the end of 2010. AUO indicated that the market share of LED-backlit TVs will continue to increase and the only concern is whether LED supply can catch up with the rising demand.

Lee Biing-jye, chairman of LED chipmaker Epistar, noted that LED-backlit TVs’ market share at the beginning of 2010 was only 5% and will need to reach 35% at the end of the year in order to reach an average 20% for the whole year. He added that LED-backlit TVs’ market share will reach 45% in 2011.

Players in the LED sector indicated that with TV vendors significantly increasing their orders for LEDs, supply of LEDs was about 30-40% short of demand in the first quarter of 2010, and order visibility for LEDs has already extended to the end of second quarter. They are expected to raise prices to reflect increased material costs.

However, Lite-On Technology CEO Teng Kuang-chung has argued that the shortage of LEDs will not continue for long, as LCD TV vendors are striving to cut costs by lowering the number of LEDs in their products, and LED chipmakers are fast expanding their capacities.

AUO in Development for Lower Number of LEDs Used in TV Application
04/19/2010

AUO says LEDs used in TV Backlight Unit (BLU) will be lowered by about 30% by the end of this year. This is made possible because of 1-bar LED edge-type. The 1-bar edge-type LED BLU will start to be applied to TV application from year 2011.

AUO says LED BLU equipped model show 90% share in Notebook and 20% in TV and Monitor application that at the end of 2010, the penetration for TV application will reach 30~40%. LED penetration for TV application depend on the factor whether LED supply can cover the growing demand of the application.

Lee Biing-Jye, President of Epistar mention that LED (backlit) LCD TVs only show 5% penetration in early 2010 but is expected to increase towards 35% at the end of this year and will most likely show 20% overall penetration this year. In 2011, expectation rises to 45%.

In TV sector, TV vendors are sharply increasing LED orders and showed 30~40% shortage during 1Q, 2010. LED ordering period have already extended towards second-quarter and is expected to increase price reflecting increases in the BOM.

But Lite-On Technology CEO, Teng Kuang-Chung says LED shortage would not continue for a longer period and this is because LCD TV makers are endeavoring to lower the cost by attempt to lower the number of LEDs used in applications and chip makers are expanding their capacity fast.

Reference: http://www.displaybank.com/eng/info/sread.php?id=5740&pg=1&device2=

AUO to Acquire Toshiba LCD Plant in Singapore

Sumner Lemon, IDG News Service Sumner Lemon, Idg News Service – Wed Mar 31, 4:50 am ET

Taiwanese LCD maker AU Optronics (AUO) has signed a deal to acquire Toshiba’s LCD manufacturing plant in Singapore, the company said Wednesday.

Under terms of the agreement, AUO will acquire all of the shares in AFPD, a TFT-LCD screen maker owned by Toshiba Mobile Display. In addition, the two companies agreed to sign “certain agreements” related to their respective intellectual property, AUO said in a statement, without offering details.

AFPD produces TFT-LCD screens based on low-temperature polysilicon technology with so-called 4.5 generation technology, which uses glass sheets measuring 730 millimeters by 920 millimeters. The plant can produce 45,000 sheets per month, with the finished screens finding their way into flat-screen televisions, laptop computers, monitors and automotive displays.

The acquisition of AFPD expands the manufacturing reach of AUO, which has plants in Taiwan and China. According to a statement, the companies said the acquisition could help to place AUO in a special strategic position in the high-end slim notebook and smart phone markets and new application markets such as tablet PCs.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Reference: http://news.yahoo.com/s/pcworld/20100331/tc_pcworld/auotoacquiretoshibalcdplantinsingapore_1

AU Optronics Corp. Reports March 2010 Consolidated Revenue
Posted on: Thursday, 8 April 2010, 03:52 CDT

HSINCHU, Taiwan, April 8 /PRNewswire-Asia-FirstCall/ — AU Optronics Corp. (“AUO” or the “Company”) (TAIEX: 2409; NYSE: AUO) today announced its preliminary consolidated March 2010 revenue of NT$40,666 million, up by 24.5% from February and 83.9% year-over-year.

In the first quarter of 2010, AUO’s unaudited consolidated revenues totaled NT$111,556 million, down by a slight 2.9% quarter-over-quarter but an impressive growth of 119.9% year-over-year.

Large-sized panel (a) shipments for March 2010, with applications on desktop monitor, notebook PC, LCD TV and other applications, hit a record high, amounting to approximately 9.77 million units, an increase of 22.0% from the previous month. As for small-and-medium-sized panels, the shipments reached 21.39 million units, up by 32.9% month-over-month.

In the first quarter of 2010, large-sized panel shipments exceeded 27.22 million units, a slight decrease of 0.6% from last quarter but a significant YoY increase of 107.1%. Shipments of small-and-medium-sized panels in the same quarter totaled 56.99 million units, down by 5.2% quarter-over-quarter, but up by 32.7% year-over-year.
(a) Large size refers to panels that are 10 inches and above in diagonal measurement while small and medium size refers to those below 10 inches. Sales Report Unit: NT$ million) Net Sales(1) (2) Consolidated(3) Unconsolidated March 2010 40,666 38,801 February 2010 32,666 31,182 M-o-M Growth 24.5% 24.4% March 2009 22,115 21,947 Y-o-Y Growth 83.9% 76.8% Jan to March 2010 111,556 106,242 Jan to March 2009 50,741 50,469 Y-o-Y Growth 119.9% 110.5% (1) All figures are prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in Taiwan. (2) Monthly figures are unaudited, prepared by AU Optronics Corp. (3) Consolidated numbers include AU Optronics Corp., AU Optronics (L) Corp., AU Optronics (Suzhou) Corp., AU Optronics (Shanghai) Corp., AU Optronics Manufacturing (Shanghai) Corp., AU Optronics (Xiamen) Corp., Darwin Precisions (L) Corp., Darwin Precisions (Suzhou) Corp., Darwin Precisions (Xiamen) Corp., Darwin Precision Corp., BriView Electronics(L) Corp., BriView Electronics Corp., BVCH Optronics (Sichuan) Corp., BriView Technology Corp., AU Optronics (Czech) s.r.o., M. Setek Co., Ltd. and its affiliates, Toppan CFI (Taiwan) Co, Ltd., Lextar Electronics Corp., and AUO Energy Taiwan Corp.
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ABOUT AU OPTRONICS

AU Optronics Corp. (AUO) is a global leader of thin film transistor liquid crystal display panels (TFT-LCD). AUO is able to provide customers with a full range of panel sizes and comprehensive applications, offering TFT-LCD panels in sizes ranging from 1.2 inches to greater than 65 inches. AUO generated NT$359.3 billion (US$11.2 billion) in sales revenue in 2009 with global operations in Taiwan, Mainland China, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, the U.S., and Europe. Additionally, AUO is the first pure TFT-LCD manufacturer to be successfully listed at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). AUO extended its market to the green energy industry in late 2008, and formally founded its Solar Photovoltaic Business Unit in October, 2009. For more information, please visit AUO.com.

Safe Harbour Notice

AU Optronics Corp. (“AUO” or the “Company”) (TAIEX: 2409; NYSE: AUO), a global leader of large-size TFT-LCD panels, today announced the above news. Except for statements in respect of historical matters, the statements contained in this Release are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements were based on our management’s expectations, projections and beliefs at the time regarding matters including, among other things, future revenues and costs, financial performance, technology changes, capacity, utilization rates, yields, process and geographical diversification, future expansion plans and business strategy. Such forward looking statements are subject to a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties that can cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements, including risks related to the flat panel display industry, the TFT-LCD market, acceptance of and demand for our products, technological and development risks, competitive factors, and other risks described in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in our Form 20-F filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission on June 4th, 2008.

SOURCE AU Optronics Corp.

Source: PR Newswire

http://www.redorbit.com/news/technology/1846994/au_optronics_corp_reports_march_2010_consolidated_revenue/index.html?source=r_technology

AU Optronics to Exhibit Innovative Display Applications and Power-Saving Green Technologies at FPD China 2010
Press Release Source: AU Optronics Corp. On Monday March 15, 2010, 3:36 am EDT

HSINCHU, Taiwan, March 15 /PRNewswire-Asia-FirstCall/ — AU Optronics Corp. (“AUO” or the “Company”) (TAIEX: 2409; NYSE: AUO) will exhibit at FPD China 2010 at the Shanghai New International Expo Center (SNIEC) from March 16-18 to demonstrate a full range of innovative display applications and power-saving green technologies. 3D display technologies with panels ranging from 8 to 65 inches, the full range of 42 to 55-inch power-saving and LED backlit LCD TV panels, multi-touch LED panels with applications to desktop and notebook PC monitors, small and medium-sized AMOLED and e-paper display applications are among the wide array of exhibits that will be at the show.

With “Innovative Green Technologies, Amazing Digital Life” as the theme of this year’s show, AUO hopes to employ innovative and power-saving green technologies to create a whole new viewing experience for a comfortable and fascinating lifestyle. The exhibition area is divided into several sections, including PID applications, 3D displays, power-saving and LED backlit LCD TV panels, ultra-wide LCD TV panels, IT applications, general display applications, high contrast/VA technologies, in-cell multi-touch panels, AMOLED and e-paper.

3D Displays

AUO will exhibit the latest 3D display technologies, such as the glasses- free barrier and lenticular lens types, and pattern retarder full HD 3D panels to be viewed with special glasses, with panels ranging from 8 to 65 inches. Of the exhibits, the 65-inch pattern retarder full HD 3D panel is the largest commercialized 3D TV panel available and will go into mass production in the second half of 2010. Impressive high-resolution 3D images can be captured with the help of polarized 3D glasses. The glasses weigh only 10 grams and come at a reasonable price, averaging US$2~3 per pair. For those who already own glasses, one must merely clip polarized lenses onto the regular frame for a 3D visual feast. This 3D panel is especially suited for large-sized three- dimensional displays in home theaters.

Power-Saving and LED Backlit LCD TV Panels

The trend toward eco-friendly power-saving TVs is irreversible. In view of this, AUO will demonstrate 42 to 55-inch power-saving and LED backlit LCD TV panels in the LCD TV Applications Section. The 46-inch full HD LCD panel consumes just 68w of power, 2.5 times less than traditional TV panels, and is the world’s No. 1 in terms of power efficiency*. Meanwhile, the 42-inch full HD LCD panel with edge-type LED backlight reduces power consumption by as much as 50% and provides a dynamic contrast ratio of up to 1,000,000:1. In addition, 42, 46 and 55-inch full HD LED backlit LCD TV panels will be on display. The high-contrast panels, equipped with 10.8mm ultra-slim edge-type LED backlighting, are light, slim, and energy efficient.

IT Applications

To demonstrate its prowess in power-saving technology, AUO will showcase the 27-inch CCFL LCD panel for desktop PCs that is currently the world’s slimmest and most energy efficient*. The panel is just 16.2mm thick, with ultra-high luminance and ultra-low power consumption at less than 30w. The eco-friendly power-saving backlight, reduced from 6 to 4 tubes, is low in mercury, adhering to Energy Star 5.0 standards.

E-Paper

AUO is an active player in the e-paper market and has been devoting efforts to the research and development of e-paper in all sizes. The SiPix Microcup(R) e-paper technology and products will make their debut in China. Products such as the 2-inch e-tag, the 4.3-inch e-book, and 6 and 9-inch e- books with in-cell multi-touch panels will be showcased. In addition, a 20- inch e-paper display module for electronic bulletin boards, a 6-inch foldable e-book module and flexible e-paper technologies are also to be seen at the show.

“China has soared to become the world’s largest PC and TV market as demand skyrockets,” said Paul Peng, AUO’s Executive VP of Global Business Unit. “AUO has been actively advancing in the Chinese market over the years and will continue to strengthen its cooperation with local clients and business partners, so that it can provide this enormous market with the most advanced, eco-friendly and energy efficient display technologies and facilitate a more convenient and vibrant digital lifestyle.”

The 2010 China FPD Conference, the most eminent technological event for China’s FPD industry, will be held alongside FPD China. Dr. Fang-Chen Luo, AUO’s VP & CTO, will be delivering a keynote speech entitled, “The Development of Active Matrix LCDs” on the second floor of the Yongda International Tower Convention Center in Pudong, Shanghai on March 16 at 10 a.m. Later at 4:30 p.m. on the same day, Paul Peng, Executive VP of AUO’s Global Business Unit, will take part in the FPD China Forum 2010 as a panelist to present his views on the “Localization of Panel Manufacturing in China.” Visitors to the show are most welcome to attend the event.

*Based on available market research information as of March 15, 2010.

About AU Optronics

AU Optronics Corp. (AUO) is a worldwide top three manufacturer* of thin film transistor liquid crystal display panels (TFT-LCD). AUO is able to provide customers with a full range of panel sizes and comprehensive applications, offering TFT-LCD panels in sizes ranging from 1.2 inches to greater than 65 inches. AUO generated NT$359.3 billion (US$11.2 billion) in sales revenue in 2009 and now houses a staff of more than 42,000 employees, with global operations in Taiwan, Mainland China, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, the U.S., and Europe. Additionally, AUO is the first pure TFT-LCD manufacturer to be successfully listed at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). AUO extended its market to the green energy industry in late 2008, and formally founded its Solar Photovoltaic Business Unit in October, 2009. For more information, please visit AUO.com.

* DisplaySearch 4Q2009 WW Large-Area TFT-LCD Shipment Report. This data is used for reference only and AUO does not make any endorsement or representation in connection therewith. 2009 year end revenue converted at an exchange rate of NTD31.95:USD1.

Safe Harbour Notice

AU Optronics Corp. (“AUO” or the “Company”) (TAIEX: 2409; NYSE: AUO), a worldwide top three manufacturer of large-size TFT-LCD panels, today announced the above news. Except for statements in respect of historical matters, the statements contained in this Release are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements were based on our management’s expectations, projections and beliefs at the time regarding matters including, among other things, future revenues and costs, financial performance, technology changes, capacity, utilization rates, yields, process and geographical diversification, future expansion plans and business strategy. Such forward looking statements are subject to a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties that can cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements, including risks related to the flat panel display industry, the TFT-LCD market, acceptance of and demand for our products, technological and development risks, competitive factors, and other risks described in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in our Form 20-F filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission on June 4th, 2008.

Reference: http://finance.yahoo.com/news/AU-Optronics-to-Exhibit-prnews-235657098.html?x=0&.v=56