Hitahci LG Data Storage (HLDS) plans to increase its market share in the growing value-added optical disc drive products and also create new businesses.
The company plans to maintain its No.1 market share by expanding sales of high-value-added products such as Blu-ray and DVD slim-type optical disc drives. According to data released by HLDS, the company sold the 25% (6 billion units) of Blu-ray disc drives sold worldwide in 2009, and the 31% of the slim-type DVD drives sold worldwide for the same period. HLDS expected to further increase its market share by 2012 and estimates its share to reach the 28% and the 33% of the worldwide sales for Blu-ray and DVD drives, respectively.
In addition, HLDS is planning to develop new products combining optical drives and HDDs. HLDS
has recently announced the development of an optical drive / SSD prototype, the "HyDrive", which is expected to reach the OEM market in August 2010. The PC drive combines the capabilities of a CD/DVD burner, a Blu-ray disc player and also enjoys the advantages of the SSD onboard, which adds extra storage, fast booting times and sophisticated error correction capabilities with optical discs.