Prices of LED Light Bulbs Have Been Lower Than Philips and Osram

Prices of LED light bulbs introduced by Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics have been lower than Philips and Osram. Samsung is said to introduce LED light bulbs with retail price of US$10-12 for the replacements of traditional 60W light bulbs in third-quarter 2012. Compared with the current price, Samsung's light bulbs are priced more than 50% below in hope to stimulate demand. LG has introduced the 450lm level of LED light bulbs with retail price only around US$13/unit, much lower than similar products from Osram which cost US$20-23/unit. For 650lm level of LED light bulbs, Samsung has introduced products with retail price of only US$17.5/unit while the same products from Philips cost US$30/unit. The aggressive price-down initiative taken by South Korea-based brands has been apparent. To compete, Taiwan-based LED firms have been spreading product lines to LED lightings and have been suppliers for international lighting firms. The firms anticipate revenues from lighting to show significant growth in 2012. Firms such as Epistar is likely to hike up the percentage of total revenues from LED lighting products from 20% in 2011 to 28-30% in 2012. Through cooperation with international brands and Japan-based customers, Lextar plans to increase the percentage of total revenues from LED lighting products to 50% in 2012 from 40% in 2011. According to research institutes, the LED lighting penetration rate will likely increase to 20% in 2013 from 3.3% in 2008. Source: www.digitimes.com