Pioneer, Matsushita Agree on PDP Production

Pioneer and Matsushita have reached a basic agreement on production of future Kuro plasma displays.

Last month, Pioneer announced it would stop production of plasma displays, and instead source plasma panels from Sharp and Matsushita (a.k.a. Panasonic) for use in future Pioneer plasma offerings. Now, the company has announced it had reached a basic agreement with Matsushita on how the two companies will approach the plasma business, and expects to have all the details ironed out in May.

In essence, the two companies will combine technologies from Pioneer’s well-regarded, high-end Kuro line of plasma displays with Matsushita’s existing Viera displays and NeoPDP technologies, combining Kuro’s high contrast and slim designs with Viera’s energy-efficiency. Both companies will continue to offer plasma panels under their own brands that contain proprietary technologies; Kuro will still be offered as a premium brand with high-end features and associated high-end pricing.

Matsushita and Pioneer expect that new Pioneer PDP products will begin reaching consumers the “autumn” of 2009. In the meantime, Pioneer is also working with Sharp on future Kuro LCD displays.