In case you missed it, part of the news about Pioneer's radical restructuring includes this shocker: The Kings of Plasma are about to start making Pioneer and Kuro branded LCD displays using Sharp's technology. Boom!
They'll also do Blu-ray players together, and Japan Sharp Cellphones will work with Pioneer's in car nav systems. The first fruits of such collabs will be seen in CEATEC 2008 in Fall.
Progress on Business Alliance with Sharp Corporation
As part of a comprehensive business and capital alliance formed by Pioneer and Sharp
Corporation in 2007, the two companies are conducting joint product development by
making effective use of each other's resources in their respective fields of expertise. The
overriding goal is to enhance the corporate value of both companies.
In the field of flat-panel TVs, for example, Pioneer is taking part in Sharp's
development of acoustic systems for ultra-thin, flat-panel TVs. By leveraging its
acoustic technologies built up over many years, Pioneer aims to develop acoustic
systems employing ultra-thin speakers that still achieve outstanding sound quality for
supply to Sharp. Furthermore, Pioneer will be supplied by Sharp with LCD TVs based
on its superior technologies. We will launch these LCD TVs first in Europe this fall and
steadily expand our lineup of LCD TVs. Plans also call for engineers from Pioneer and
Sharp to team up to develop LCD TVs that carry on the legacy of the Pioneer "KURO"
series in terms of high picture and sound quality. This project will give Pioneer access
to Sharp's extensive expertise in LCD TVs, while promoting joint development of digital
tuners, platforms and technologies for realizing high picture quality. The goal is to
develop value-added products and raise the efficiency of development activities at both
companies.
In the optical disc field, Pioneer and Sharp have agreed to join forces to expand
their respective Blu-ray Disc-related product businesses. This step takes the alliance
beyond merely supplying existing products such as DVD players and DVD recorders to
each other. Joint development of pickups and drives for Blu-ray Disc
players/recorders, will bolster the two companies' vertically integrated business
models spanning devices to end products. Cost reductions resulting from more
efficient development and volume growth will in turn contribute to business expansion.
Here too, Pioneer and Sharp are resolved to build even stronger ties by efficiently
conducting joint development.
In car electronics fields, Pioneer and Sharp plan to jointly develop products based

on Sharp's "only one device" concept. The two companies will make a point of
enhancing device operability to propose new kinds of automotive passenger cabin
environments. We also plan to propose new forms of value by linking Sharp's AQUOS™
mobile phone concept with our car navigation system technologies. We want to use
these joint development projects to drive further business expansion at both
companies in the car electronics field.
The concrete achievements of these initiatives will be showcased at CEATEC
JAPAN 2008 this fall and at various product presentations.