Pioneer to drop 42-inch plasma production

PioneerElectronics reportedly plans to cease production of 42-inch plasma displays and instead procure smaller panels from Matsushita Electricor Hitachi.

This is according to a Reuters report, which cited the Asahi newspaper as saying that the electronics firm will end output of 42-inch panels at a plant in Kagoshima, Japan by March 2009. The company will instead focus on making 50-inch or larger-sized panes in its other plans.

The paper added that Pioneer bought the Kagoshima plant from NECand wants NEC to buy the plant back.