Sony plans global recall of 10 million PC batteries
The Yomiuri Shimbun
Sony Corp. will recall about 10 million lithium-ion batteries for notebook computers over concerns that the batteries could accidentally catch fire. The recall targets all computer makers worldwide that use the Sony-made batteries.
The electronics maker announced Thursday in the United States that it would implement the recall and provide replacement batteries.
On Friday, sources said the number of recalled batteries likely would be 10 million, and that the recall and replacement would cost as much as 50 billion yen.
When Dell Inc. and Apple Computer Inc. announced recalls of Sony-made batteries used in their computers last month, Sony estimated it would have to bear 20 billion yen to 30 billion yen. But with recalls being expanded to all concerned makers, the cost to Sony will grow, which is likely to hit the company hard. Although the company predicted after-tax profit of 130 billion yen for the fiscal year, this likely will be slashed.
Sony will also likely face strong public criticism over its handling of the matter in terms of timing and information disclosure.
Chinese computer maker Lenovo on Friday announced it would recall 526,000 batteries. The same day, Toshiba Corp. and Fujitsu Ltd. also announced they would recall Sony-made batteries from users. Sony's batteries are also used in Sony-made computers and those of Hitachi Ltd., Sharp Corp. and Hewlett-Packard of the United States...
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/business...30TDY01008.htm
