Sony, manufacturer of the Bravia LCD TV brand which is facing serious LCD TV shortages in the run up to the pre Xmas TV-buying season and only weeks away from the Rugby World Cup, has moved to source supply from Taiwan in an effort to alleviate the problem.

AU Optronics (AUO), which also manufactures for Dell, Acer and BenQ, is set to ship 46-inch LCD TV panels to Sony Australia. Normally Sony’s 46-inch LCD TV panels, which are very popular in Australia, used to only be supplied by S-LCD, a joint venture between Sony and Samsung Electronics, from its seventh-generation (7G) plant.

Earlier this year, AUO landed orders for 40-inch TV panels from Sony and is now set to roll out the 46-inch models which will incorporate the Sony colour engine.

AUO began to volume produce 46-inch LCD TVs at its 7.5G plant in February 2007, according to the company. The panel maker already ships 20-, 26-, 32-inch TV panels for Sony.

In addition to AUO, Sony also purchases TV panels from Taiwan’s Chi Mei Optoelectronics (CMO) and Chunghwa Picture Tubes (CPT). Nearly 30% of Sony’s TV panels are now sourced from Taiwan-based companies, noted industry sources.

Sony recently opened a logistics center in central Taiwan which will be used mainly for shipping TFT LCD panels from Taiwan to Bravia LCD TV assembly lines located elsewhere, according to the company.

The 46″ Bravia LCD TV’s being shipped to Australia are, according to Taiwan sources, fully assembled in Taiwan.