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Consumer electronics industry

Global Lithium-Ion Battery Recall: Sony, Toshiba, and Fujitsu Respond to Overheating Concerns

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Major Japanese computer manufacturers Toshiba and Fujitsu have announced that they will recall lithium-ion batteries made by Sony, citing concerns over possible overheating. This move comes after Lenovo and IBM Corporation voluntarily recalled 526,000 Sony lithium-ion batteries used in ThinkPad notebook computers worldwide. The recalls are in response to complaints of overheating by some computer makers, with Sony starting a worldwide replacement program for certain lithium-ion batteries used by notebook PCs. As of now, approximately 7 million Sony-made batteries have been put on recall lists, with 30% of the global lithium-ion battery market accounted for by Sony.

Key Takeaways:

  • Toshiba will recall about 830,000 lithium-ion batteries made by Sony worldwide.
  • Fujitsu will disclose details of its recall program later, with the recall in Japan covering batteries used in its 19 laptop models.
  • A total of 7 million Sony-made batteries have been put on recall lists.
  • Sony accounts for 30% of the global lithium-ion battery market.
  • There have been nine reports of overheating, with two reports of minor burn injuries, and seven reports of minor property damage caused by batteries in Apple laptops.
  • Lenovo and IBM Corporation have already voluntarily recalled 526,000 Sony lithium-ion batteries used in ThinkPad notebook computers worldwide.
  • Dell and Apple Computer started recalling several million units of Sony-made lithium-ion batteries for laptop PCs in August.
  • Sony's recall programs are likely to pose a challenge to the company's recovery of branding power.

Statistics:

  • 7 million: The number of Sony-made batteries put on recall lists.
  • 30%: The share of the global lithium-ion battery market accounted for by Sony.
  • 830,000: The number of lithium-ion batteries made by Sony that Toshiba will recall worldwide.
  • 526,000: The number of Sony lithium-ion batteries voluntarily recalled by Lenovo and IBM Corporation.
  • 9: The number of reports of overheating.
  • 2: The number of reports of minor burn injuries.
  • 7: The number of reports of minor property damage caused by batteries in Apple laptops.

Sources:

  • Xinhua via COMTEX, Tokyo, Sept 29, 2006
  • Comtex SmarTrend(SM) Alert, Sept 25, 2006
  • Toshiba Corporation, Fujitsu Ltd. press releases.

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