The home appliance market looks set to expand next year, driven by the affordability of flat-panel TVs and maturation of digital home products, an industry group said yesterday.
"Next year's home appliance market will be better than this year's. This is especially driven by liquid-crystal-display [LCD] and plasma TVs, as these products have grown more mature with lower prices over the years," said Denpo Lin (林山中), chairman of the Taipei Electrical Commercial Association (TECA, 電器公會).
Lin made the remarks after attending the opening yesterday of the 2006 Taipei Audio Fair, which is organized by TECA.
According to Lin, sales of flat-panel TVs have already increased 20 to 30 percent this year, reflecting the growing consumer appetite for slim TVs.
He added that the EU's plan to halt sales of traditional cathode-ray-tube (CRT) TVs beginning next July -- required under Europe's "Restriction on Hazardous Substances" directive -- will accelerate the adoption of flat-panel TVs both in Europe and other countries.
The European directive bans six different substances, including lead and mercury, from electronics products such as CRT-TVs.
In addition, Lin said that "digital home" products are maturing, especially with the recent introduction of a slew of entertainment PCs into the market.
"This will benefit the home appliance segment as these electronics are being linked up with PCs to offer users home entertainment," he added.
The annual Taipei Audio Fair, which is in its 26th year, showcases the latest audio and visual equipment, such as home theater systems and flat-panel TVs. This year's exhibition is packed with more than 100 exhibitors occupying some 600 booths.
The fair, which began yesterday and runs through Tuesday, is being held at the Taipei World Trade Center Exhibition Hall I. It is expected to attract around 100,000 visitors.
Among the expo's highlights is a 70-inch rear projection TV from JVC, which is the largest TV screen on display. There are 20 units up for grabs, each priced at NT$329,000 (US$9,800).
Admission to the fair is NT$200 per person, with NT$50 discount vouchers available at 7-Eleven convenience stores.
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