Sony India Ltd regional manager (north) Rohit Sathe who was here in connection with the launch of eight new products -- all hi-fi systems in Chandigarh territory -- said that the turnover of Sony India during 1998-99 had clocked at Rs 500 crore.

Talking after the launch, he said that with the new launches, Sony would be able to consolidate its position of leadership in the hi-fi segment. He claimed that the company had launched the 100 per cent flat television in the world market to mark the 100 years of invention of picture tube by Dr Brawn.

To maintain its leadership of delivering the ``firsts'' to consumers, the company has an array of digital products like digital still cameras, digital handy cameras to cater to digital era and hastening the process of audio visual integration. Sony plans to launch soon products like play station and DVDs.

In a two-prongedstrategy to fulfil its commitment to the Indian market, Sony is also offering an exhaustive line up of products in TVs, hi-fi, personal audio, telephones in lime with the ``semi urban projects.''

About the facilities in India, Sathe said that Sony factory at Daruhera in Haryana was constantly increasing its level of indiginisation by developing its vendor base. Exports too had a significant role in its commitment and had received the Export Award for 1997-98 and was still concentrating its major effort on exports.