Remember when Foxconn invested a large sum of money in Sharp’s 10G LCD plant? Well, Sony does not like that so they have terminated any involvement in their LCD partnership with Sharp.
Sony & Sharp part
Sony and Sharp are struggling with losses on their respective TV businesses. Sharp recently sold the majority of their 10th generation LCD plant in Sakai to Foxconn (Apple’s close partner) and Sony is going through a phase of restructuring, too.
Sharps 10G LCD plant in Sakai, Japan
After Foxconn bought a large share of Sharp's LCD plant, which is also the world's most advanced display factory, Sony has pulled the plug. Sony has no desire to be involved in that partnership so they have sold their 7 % share in the LCD joint venture back to Sharp – and taken back their investment of $126 million USD.
Sony also recently ended their major LCD partnership with Samsung in an effort to turn around their loss-making TV business. Where Sony will go from here is interesting but Sony has already signaled the intent to invest in OLED technology. Sony is also part of Japan Display together with Toshiba and Hitachi.
Sony & Sharp end LCD partnership
