- Taiwanese large-sized LCD panel shipment volume saw a 12.3% increase from the fourth quarter of 2002, reaching over 7.2 million units in the first quarter of 2003. Total shipment value similarly grew 14.6% during the same period to reach US$1.3 billion due to rising panel prices, reversing the loss in shipment value seen over the two previous quarters.
Shipments for LCD monitors comprised 68.3% of total panel volume, with 15-inch sized displays amounting to 64.5% of shipments for LCD monitor applications; 17-inch sized shipments accounted for 31.9%. 14-inch panels comprised 57.2% of shipments for notebook PC use; however, with notebook PCs witnessing stronger demand for less mobile desktop replacement models, shipments of 15-inch models for notebook PC models experienced a slight rise from the fourth quarter of 2002.
As yield rates at fifth generation plants improve, Taiwanese large-sized panel shipment volume is expected to increase in the second quarter of 2003. Shipments for LCD monitor applications are anticipated to comprise over 70% of output, while shipments for LCD TV will likely rise given Taiwanese makers' growing involvement in the production of displays for this application. The second quarter will also see a gradual increase in the share of 17-inch shipments for use in monitors.