Taiwan panel makers' shipments of 9-inch and above size TFT LCD panels reached 62.21 million units in the first quarter of 2014, down 3.2% on quarter, according to Digitimes Research.
In the notebook panel segment, AU Optronics (AUO) shifted production on one of its 5G lines to notebook panel production while Korea-based makers shifted production away from notebook panels to tablet panels, bringing in slight notebook panel shipment growth of 0.6% for Taiwan makers during the quarter, according to Digitimes Research's latest quarterly FPD Data Tracker report on Taiwan's large-size panel shipments.
Taiwan makers tablet panel shipments increased 2.2% during the first quarter while TV and monitor panel shipments declined 2.9% and 9.3% respectively.
Digitimes Research said Taiwan panel makers are losing their competitive edge in the 32-inch LCD TV panel market due to price competition from China makers, adding that 32-inch LCD TV panels made up 35% of overall LCD TV panel shipments in the first quarter.