Sony is a household brand.
You can see it in almost every market across the globe.
Even today, many of the OLED TV products in the stores are from Sony.
Don’t you ever wonder where Sony TVs are manufactured?
And how many TV factories does Sony have?
Continue reading to discover:
- 8 countries that manufacture Sony TVs.
- Which company produce Sony TVs today.
- When did Sony stop producing TVs in Japan.
- And a lot more…
Where are Sony TVs made?
Sony TVs were first made in Japan. Their company built several TV manufacturing plants around the world. But then, these TV plants were sold to different OEM and ODM companies. These companies now manufacture Sony TVs in Malaysia, Slovakia, China, Russia, Spain, Mexico, and India.
8 countries that manufacture Sony TVs
#1: Japan
Sony started manufacturing cathode ray tube (CRT) televisions in 1969.
And the first Sony CRT TV was completed in the first Sony TV plant in Inazawa, Japan.
The plant continued to produce the same TV models until 2004.
The production for CRT TVs officially stopped to shift their focus on making LCD TVs.
So, beginning in 2005, the Inazawa plant made Sony TVs for the market. Especially for Japan, Asia, New Zealand, and Australia.
Trivia: The Sony Inazawa plant is considered the “mother plant” for Sony LCD TVs.
Throughout the years, Sony built several more TV plants in Japan.
But around 2009 to 2010, the company started selling many of their plants in the country.
Today, some plants in Japan continue to operate and manufacture TV.
But the production is comparably small than before.
And the TV produced in Japan is for the local markets only.
So, all Sony TVs you see in the market outside Japan are from different plants worldwide.
#2: Malaysia
The biggest Sony TV manufacturing plant outside Japan is in Malaysia.
Trivia: it’s considered as the main Sony development and production facility.
A large percentage of Sony TVs came from the plant in Malaysia.
And it produces TVs for Japan, Malaysia, other Asian countries, Australia, and many more.
The TV plant is in Penang, Malaysia. The same location where the Sony R&D centers are.
But in September 2020, Sony stopped operation in its main TV factory in Penang. And it moved its production from Penang to Selangor, Malaysia.
The company announced that the plant would officially shut down in March 2022.
“Are they stopping production in Malaysia?”
No. TV productions in Malaysia will continue.
The company only wanted to upgrade its production system.
In 2021, Sony has deployed its first unmanned TV manufacturing in Malaysia.
The plant in Selangor will continue to produce Sony TVs.
But this time, it will be operated by robots and machines.
#3: Mexico
The Sony TVs in the Americas region came from as Sony TV plant in Tijuana, Mexico.
This plant has been producing Sony TVs for decades already.
From CRT models to OLED models.
Want to see what Sony’s CRT TV factory looks like? Then watch this video!
It was only in 2005 that Sony started manufacturing LCD TVs in this plant.
Trivia: Tijuana, Mexico houses many manufacturing plants by different companies worldwide.
But in 2009, Sony Baja California sold 90% of its shares to a Taiwanese manufacturing company.
That company is Hon Hai, which is popularly known as Foxconn.
Part of that transaction is handing out Sony’s Mexico plant to Foxconn.
Since then, Foxconn has manufactured Sony TVs for the Americas region.
So, every Sony TV you see in the Americas region today is manufactured by Foxconn.
The company, Sony, has left the American market. But the Sony TVs remain in the region.
#4: Slovakia
There are two TV manufacturing plants in Slovakia.
One is in Trnava, which started operating in 1996.
This plant focused on manufacturing TV components. And those components are shipped to other Sony TV factories around the world.
In 2006, the plant began production of LCD TVs for the European market.
But that isn’t the end of the journey of Sony TVs in Europe.
To meet the demand of Europeans for LCD TVs, Sony built a larger TV factory in Nitra, Slovakia, in 2007.
The next year, the company announced that they’re expanding their production for LCD TVs.
Some production lines in the Trnava plant were relocated to the new Nitra plant.
Sony aimed to make this plant their biggest LCD TV manufacturing facility.
Things are going well…
Until 2010, when Sony also sold the plant in Nitra to Foxconn.
Today, Foxconn manufactures Sony TVs in Europe.
Learn more: Will smart TVs become obsolete?
#5: China
When Sony sold its TV factories in Mexico and Slovakia, it made a co-established factory in China.
In 2011, Sony and Foxconn decided to build an LCD TV manufacturing plant in Shandong, China.
That plant produces about 30 million panels each year.
And that’s why the plant in Shandong is recognized as the largest LCD TV plant.
Now, Foxconn manufacturer Sony TVs for local Chinese consumers.
“Is it possible that my Sony TV is from China?”
That’s less likely to happen unless you buy your TV see from China.
Foxconn manufactures Sony TVs for Americans in its plant in Mexico. And it manufactures Sony TVs for Europeans in its plant in Slovakia.
#6: India
Sony used to have its own TV manufacturing plant in India.
But due to losses, the plant closed down.
And manufacturing of Sony TVs in India stopped for about a decade.
In 2015, Sony made its return to India.
The company partnered again with Foxconn to manufacture Sony TVs in the country.
So, starting that year, local Sony TVs returned to the Indian market.
Only this time, Foxconn manufactures the TV. And it uses Sony as its brand name.
“I thought Sony is losing profits in manufacturing TVs. Why did they open another factory?”
Technically, Foxconn manages the factory. And they own the facility.
Sony only has small shares.
Plus, Sony has no option but to do this following an importation policy in India.
Early that year, the Indian government added high taxes on import goods.
So, Sony either has to pay high taxes or start manufacturing in the country.
This move is crucial for Sony, as India is its 4th biggest market.
#7: Russia
Sony also has a manufacturing plant in Russia, beginning in 2009.
But this one is organized by a different outsourcing company.
The plant is in Tver, Russia. And it produces Sony TVs in the Russian and European markets.
The manufacturing company produces LCD televisions under the brand of Sony.
So, every Sony TV in the Russian market is by a different manufacturer. That is not Sony.
#8: Spain
Some of the Sony TVs in Europe is from a Sony plant in Spain.
The company has its local TV manufacturing plant in Barcelona, Spain.
And it produces televisions for European consumers.
In 2005, there was a high demand for LCD TVs in Europe.
So, the plant shifted from manufacturing CRT TVs to LCD TVs.
The plant in Barcelona continued to produce high-quality Sony TVs.
But only until 2010.
This was the year when Sony sold its plant in Barcelona to two Spanish companies.
It marked the end of manufacturing Sony TVs in Spain.
The two companies specialized in manufacturing in the automotive and engineering industries.
So, the Sony TV production in Spain was discontinued completely.
You might also want to know: Where Are LG TVs Made? 8 Countries Revealed
Are Sony TVs reliable?
Sony is one of the best brands in the electronics industry. That’s why millions of people around the world continue to give their trust in this company.
Want to know why Sony TVs are loved by many?
It’s because Sony TVs never failed to provide a great viewing experience for many years.
It offers high-quality pictures and outstanding sound quality.
A TV with 4k, 8k, or OLED display. Whichever you want, Sony has it.
Sure, Sony may be struggling to manufacture its own products today.
But it remained one of the best TV brands worldwide.
Especially for its high-end TVs.
Despite its losses and struggles, it continued to set a high standard in the industry.
Check out: Should a Smart TV Be on 5G or 2G? 6 Things To Consider