[Update: another article about the flat-lining of flat panel TVs.]

Pioneer may increase production of plasma televisions through another production line to meet strong demand:

In November, the newspaper quoted Pioneer President Kaneo Ito as saying the company could spend about 27 billion yen ($256.6 million) to build a line as early as 2005/06.

Link: The Economic Times

This is happening at the same time that plasma prices are falling flat, a glut causing prices to fall:

Global demand for plasma TVs is expected to soar to 7 million units in 2006, up from 2.7 million units in 2004, according to industry estimates. The sets use a plasma display panel, a type of flat-panel technology.

Even though demand is rising, a glut is undermining prices along with the bottom lines of manufacturers.

Link: The Asahi Shimbun

LCD is also attracting new investment, as NEC plans to boost its output:

Japanese hi-tech maker NEC Corp. will invest up to 40 billion yen (US$385 million) in China and at home to boost its output of liquid crystal display (LCD) panels amid fierce competition from regional rivals, a report said Saturday.

Link: Channel News Asia

At their 2005 dealer show Sony stated plans for LCD:

the company introduced four direct-view LCD TVs and four Grand Wega 3 LCD-based, high-definition, rear-projection HDTV models, while stating that it will essentially carry over a large percentage of existing products in plasma television, CRT rear-projection TV and a majority of its FD Trinitron WEGA direct-view CRT TVs.

Link: Twice

Samsung is working on improving the quality of LCD panels:

Samsung Electronics Co. (KSE:005930) said Sunday that it has developed a new high definition liquid crystal display (LCD) that can give clearer picture resolution regardless of surrounding conditions.

Link: Forbes