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Facing traditionally slow sales in the second quarter and the impact of SARS on the Asia-Pacific market, Taiwanese optical disk drive volume underwent a 4.5% sequential decline to total 22 million units in the second quarter of 2003. With higher-priced models such as DVD recorder drives and combo models accounting for 1% and 10% respectively, the 2.8% sequential fall in average selling price (ASP) was far lighter than the average 5% decline witnessed over past quarters. Second quarter ASP was US$31.2; value dropped 7.1% sequentially to US$692 million.
Aside from the strong performance of leading vendors and a minority of players focusing on slim models, most optical disk drive makers are awaiting a favorable reversal in shipment performance. In the third quarter of 2003, product mix is expected to shift toward a higher share of combo models and DVD recorder drives, which would stabilize ASP. Combined with a seasonal upswing in demand during the third quarter, volume is anticipated to climb 18% from the second quarter of 2003 to total 26 million units.
Roughly 80% of Taiwanese players are expected to roll out DVD recorder drives, pushing share of such models to over 5%. Further boosted by continued gains in combo models, Taiwanese optical disk drive shipment value is forecasted to return to positive growth in the third quarter of 2003.