14 DAY TRIAL // Someone at Lazard Capital Markets had the idea of coming forward last week with this statement: "Reports from Asia suggest that Sony has reduced production of PS3s, at least temporarily, which may suggest that a price cut is less likely this year". I think it's safe to say Sony is not only bashing various analysts for making allegations without any basis but it completely denies the rumor.
Director of Corporate Communications Sony Computer Entertainment Europe, Nick Sharples has dismissed the reports in a virulent manner, unlike other statements from Sony, which were almost cryptic. This is what he declared to MCV: "I'm not aware of any cut in production. We have our forecast for the year for PS3 of ten million and that still stands. Of course, production is adjusted according to stock levels and requirements of different territories. The normal seasonal uplift towards the peak season will happen, but that's completely normal.
There's absolutely nothing that you can read from that. The idea of price certainly doesn't follow on to any adjustment in production. Analysts may wish to think so, but there's no basis of fact in any of it. We announce when changes in price will happen and we don't discuss them beforehand."
He may not be aware of any production cuts and probably there aren't any because Sony, like any other company is trying to make a lot of money in a very short amount of time. I am aware of the fact that the Europeans are fooled to pay a lot more than the Japanese and the Americans. I fail to see too how this might be a good business and how it can affect in a positive manner the Sony name. If you feel the same, there is an online petition for cutting back the price in the land of Europa that can be found here. I know it's not much and like most online petitions, it will go unnoticed, but at least it will be doing something.