Japanese brand Toshiba is back in the European TV market following a licensing agreement with Turkish OEM giant Vestel.
Its new range will include a 65in OLED model – the X97 (pictured), which will be available from September for around £4,000.
The line-up – out in July – will also include “value-added” Ultra HD TVs – the U67 range in 65in, 55in, 49in and 43in screen sizes, as well as the U77 wide colour gamut UHD smart TV series, which will come in 55in and 49in, with prices starting from around £600.
Using Toshiba’s smart portal, consumers will be able to access 4K content through Netflix and YouTube or stream music tracks.
There will also be smaller TVs – 24in, 32in and 39in – with built-in DVD players.
The products have been manufactured by Vestel, but developed in conjunction with Toshiba’s Japanese design team.
Said Matthew Lang, Vestel UK’s managing director: “We think we have a really excellent opportunity to revitalise the mid-market in the TV sector. Toshiba has always been about delivering great products at affordable prices – we believe that section of the market is crying out for the return of Toshiba.
“We have a really iconic brand. Toshiba has a fantastic brand heritage and there’s a good opportunity for retailers and consumers with the new range of products.”
He added: “We’re bringing a fresh approach and a combination of two very powerful companies – Toshiba and all of its technological and engineering excellence, and Vestel’s manufacturing and supply chain excellence.
“We’re building a very slim, small, but highly efficient and effective team to run Toshiba across Europe. We’re bringing in people who have experience of working with big brands and with OEM companies like Vestel. I think the combination of that puts us in a very strong position to attack the mid-section of the TV market.”
