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Sony to unload Vaio PCs?

February 5, 2014

Japanese media reports have suggested consumer electronics giant Sony is hoping to get rid of its PC business. Sales in Vaio computers have tumbled of late, and the company doesn't appear to be hoping for a turnaround.

https://p.dw.com/p/1B2v0
Sony logo at a fair
Image: picture-alliance/dpa

Japanese electronics heavyweight Sony was planning to sell its personal computer segment as soon as possible, the leading Nikkei business daily reported Wednesday.

It claimed Sony was in talks to sell the division to investment firm Japan Industrial Partners as it continued restructuring efforts focused on the smartphone market.

The report added the investment fund would set up a new company that would continue selling PCs and laptops under the Vaio brand, with Sony retaining only a small stake in the business.

Pleased shareholders

The electronics giant launched the Vaio division back in 1996, with shipments hitting 8.7 million units in the peak years. According to Nikkei, sales were forecast to decline to less than 6 million units throughout the current fiscal year.

Sony im Aufwind

Sony shares rose on the report on Wednesday, with the stock climbing by 4.57 percent at the Tokyo Stock Exchange, recovering its losses from the previous day.

Sony, alongside domestic rivals Panasonic and Sharp, has been undergoing painful restructuring to recover from years of huge losses, largely caused by the low-margin TV business.

hg/kms (dpa, AFP)