Panasonic Mobile Communications has been discussing seven new handset orders with its two existing Taiwanese ODM partners this year, according to sources.
Quanta Computer, which handled production of the GD55, G50, G51 and G70 for Panasonic in the past two years, is expected to ship five new handsets for the Japanese vendor this year, the sources said. One of the models is for delivery in the first half of the year, with the other four in the second half. Compal Communications is expected to roll out two models for Panasonic in the third quarter, sources added.
All three companies declined to comment on the report.
Quanta is estimated to ship up to 10 million handsets this year, of which 60% will go to Panasonic. In addition to Panasonic, Quanta will continue to ship handsets to T-Mobile International (the Siemens ST55) and a few Chinese vendors. The Taiwanese handset maker shipped close to five million handsets in 2003.
Compal landed G60 orders from Panasonic in late 2003 and was originally expected to produce the G61, an updated version of the G60, at the beginning of this year. A recent market rumor said that Panasonic had killed the G61 order due to poor sales of the G60. After revising its proposals, Compal is now talking with Panasonic about the two new handset orders, the sources said. Henry Lee, president of Compal Communications, said last November that the company expected to ship 7.5 million handsets this year, up from an estimated 3.5 million units in 2003.
Article translated by Chinmei Sung and edited by Chinmei Sung
