Form 6-K
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549
FORM 6-K
REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the month of March 2008
Commission File Number: 001-06439
SONY CORPORATION
(Translation of registrant's name into English)
1-7-1 KONAN, MINATO-KU, TOKYO, 108-0075, JAPAN
(Address of principal executive offices)
The registrant files annual reports under cover of Form 20-F.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports
under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F,
Form 20-F X Form 40-F __
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information
contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the
Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
Yes No X
If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in
connection with Rule 12g3-2(b):82-______
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
SONY CORPORATION
(Registrant)
By: /s/ Nobuyuki Oneda
(Signature)
Nobuyuki Oneda
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
Date: March 19, 2008
List of materials
Documents attached hereto:
i) Sony Statement Regarding Sony Ericsson
ii) Press release announcing Sony Ericsson sees moderating growth of mobile
phone units with related effects on sales and profit in the first quarter 2008
March 19, 2008
Sony Corporation
Sony Ericsson sees moderating growth of mobile phone units with related effects
on sales and profit in the first quarter 2008
Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB ("Sony Ericsson"), an equity affiliate of
Sony Corporation ("Sony"), today announces that moderating sales growth of
mobile phone units is expected to negatively impact net sales and net income
before tax for the first quarter of 2008. Please refer to the attached press
release for details.
At this time, Sony has no plan to revise its equity in net income of affiliated
companies forecast of 100 billion yen for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2008
on a consolidated basis as announced on January 31, 2008.
Sony Ericsson
Press Release 19 March 2008
Sony Ericsson sees moderating growth of mobile phone units with related effects
on sales and profit in the first quarter 2008
London, UK - Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB ("Sony Ericsson") today
announces that moderating sales growth of mobile phone units is expected to
negatively impact net sales and net income before tax ("NIBT") for the first
quarter of 2008. Slowing market growth of mid-to-high end phones in markets
where Sony Ericsson has a strong presence is affecting sales. In addition,
certain component shortages for popular mid-priced phones have contributed to
modest unit sales growth in the first quarter.
"As discussed during our fourth quarter 2007 Media and Analyst Call, the market
is proving to be challenging. This has been more pronounced in the mid-to-high
end replacement sector of the market in Europe, where Sony Ericsson has stronger
than average market share," says Dick Komiyama, President of Sony Ericsson. "For
the last year, Sony Ericsson has been focused on expanding the breadth of its
portfolio and developing its presence in new markets to lessen its historic
reliance on the European high-end sector for growth. This strategy will
continue, and our objective remains to become a top three player globally by
2011. As part of this strategy, we have announced fifteen new phones and
introduced a new platform to the portfolio, Windows Mobile(R), this year. We
expect to start seeing a positive effect from these announcements during the
second half of 2008."
Although final results may differ, Sony Ericsson now plans to ship approximately
22 million phones during the first quarter of 2008 with an estimated ASP
(Average Selling Price) of EUR 120. This is expected to generate net sales lower
than the first quarter of 2007, and NIBT is estimated to be in the range of EUR
150 - 200 million due to increased R&D expenses as a percentage of sales. The
increased investments in R&D are in line with the company's strategy to meet
future growth ambitions. In addition, Sony Ericsson currently expects gross
margin to remain relatively stable for the first quarter of 2008 compared with
the first quarter of 2007.
Sony Ericsson plans to announce first quarter 2008 results on April 23rd.
- ENDS -
Microsoft, Windows, PowerPoint, Windows Media, Windows Mobile, Office,
ActiveSync and Internet Explorer are trademarks or registered trademarks of
Microsoft Corporation.
Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications was established as a 50:50 joint venture by
Sony and Ericsson in October 2001, with global corporate functions located in
London. The company serves the worldwide communications market with innovative
and feature-rich mobile phones, accessories and PC-cards, and it has R&D sites
in Europe, Japan, China, India and America. Sony Ericsson is the title sponsor
of the Women's Tennis Association, and works with the Association to promote the
Sony Ericsson WTA Tour in over 80 cities during the year. For more information,
please visit www.sonyericsson.com
This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve inherent
risks and uncertainties. We have identified certain important factors that may
cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in such
forward-looking statements. For a detailed description of risk factors see
Sony's and Ericsson's filings with the US Securities and Exchange Commission,
particularly each company's latest published Annual Report on Form 20-F.