Sony invests in Malaysia

Sony invests in Malaysia

TOKYO (UPI): Sony Corp. has started making MiniDisc players in Malaysia for export to Europe and the United States, says a company spokewoman.

"We started production on a trial basis at the end of 1995, and began turning out 10,000 units a month for export at the end of last year," the spokeswoman said.

Until that time Sony only exported MiniDisc players from Japan, but chose Malaysia because of lower production costs.

"If all goes well, we might start producing MiniDisc radio cassette players there in the future," said the spokeswoman.

Demand for MiniDiscs is rising strongly since Sony started marketing MiniDiscs in 1992.

Sony expects global demand for MiniDiscs to rise 2.5 times to around three million units in fiscal 1996, with the domestic market accounting for 2.2 million units and the overseas market 800,000 units.

In fiscal 1997, sales are projected at about six million units, with sales overseas, mainly in Europe and the U.S., growing 2.5 times to some two million units.