In response to the towering demand for LCD panels, CMO has plans to expand the capacity at one existing plant and set up two new factories. By December 2006, with US$635 million's worth of investment, the maker expects to boost the monthly output at its 5.5 generation plant to 180,000 units, up from the current 120,000 units. Another US$1.1 billion is allocated to establish a fifth-generation line, designed to process 90,000 units of 1,100mm x 1,300mm substrates per month. Construction of the plant will start this year, to be ready for mass production in the fourth quarter of 2006. The maker is also evaluating the possibility of setting up a 7.5 generation plant that will begin volume production six months after it kicks off the new fifth-generation line. Tentative substrate size and first phase monthly capacity of the 7.5 generation fab is respectively set at 1,950mm x 2,250mm and 30,000 units.