Matsushita to become Panasonic, everywhere -- thank you Panny

In an overdue move sure to delight tech journos and consumers alike, Matsushita is changing its name to Panasonic. Sure, it was a tough decision to discard the name of its founder after a 90 year reign. But let's face it, the dual-naming scheme hurt both brands and created confusion in the global marketplace. The change goes official on October 1st, pending approval by shareholders.

[paragraph @ Jan 10th 2008 10:57AM]

When i hear Matsushita, i think about Floppy drives... Thats the only thing i have ever owned with that brand...

I guess i'm in the dark...

[SimbaDogg @ Jan 10th 2008 2:17PM]

Open up your computer...odds are you probably have a matsushita fan in there. Or, take a look @ some of the laptop/cell batteries you have around.

[vince @ Jan 10th 2008 11:04AM]

Yeah, it looks like both the company name, Matsushita, and their domestic brand, National, will all get changed to Panasonic. I don't think there will be much of a noticeable effect outside of Japan, but the disappearance of National will probably create some market confusion.

[Jeff @ Jan 10th 2008 11:47AM]

Right... and that's a big deal. We don't know Matsushita or National that well here, but in Japan, it's Panasonic that's the lesser of the three brand names. They are going to have some work to do - that is still their biggest market. (They are the #1 combined electronics and appliance maker in Japan... but under the National and Matsushita names, mostly.)

But that's why National's not being phased out until 2010. There are going to be a whole lot of "National is now Panasonic!" ads before then, I'd guess, and probably a whole lot of dual-branded products with both names prominent for a while.

[friendlyner @ Jan 10th 2008 11:10AM]

I think it's a good idea to reduce confusion. But, really, even my Panasonic vacuum cleaner says Matsushita Corporation on the spec tag. Anyone who cared already understood.

[Jason @ Jan 10th 2008 11:14AM]

Matsu****a was probably just tired of having their name mangled regularly by profanity filters.

[zzebi @ Jan 10th 2008 11:27AM]

How about Technics? That is also a brand name of Matsushita. Will it change to Panasonic too?

[bachviet @ Jan 10th 2008 11:34AM]

No more Matsu****a filter for me. woohooo

[Carbonize @ Jan 10th 2008 11:35AM]

Now if only companies like LG and Samsung would follow suit.

[Poom @ Jan 10th 2008 11:46AM]

Hmm... Would you please explain?

[Carbonize @ Jan 10th 2008 11:50AM]

I thought my comment was self explanatory? Both LG and Samsung use a different name in their native Korea.

[Rich @ Jan 10th 2008 1:01PM]

Are you sure about that? I've been to South Korea and see lots of LG/Samsung branding. Phones, TVs, Chelsea football kits...

[Carbonize @ Jan 10th 2008 1:11PM]

It may be mostly in their mobile phones they use anther name. LG phones go under the brand name of Cyon. And I'm sure Samsung phones use a different brand name as well but buggered if I can either remember or find it right now.

[Carbonize @ Jan 10th 2008 1:12PM]

Ah found it in Wikipedia

"Anycall is a South Korean Mobile phone brand. Samsung established the brand in 1993. Like other mobile phone brands in South Korea, they provide technology such as cameras, internet access, and TV over IP.

Anycall are Samsung rebranded handsets sold in throughout Asia. They tend to be filled with Samsung's latest features."

[Carbonize @ Jan 10th 2008 1:13PM]

Ah found it in Wikipedia

"Anycall is a South Korean Mobile phone brand. Samsung established the brand in 1993. Like other mobile phone brands in South Korea, they provide technology such as cameras, internet access, and TV over IP.

Anycall are Samsung rebranded handsets sold in throughout Asia. They tend to be filled with Samsung's latest features."

[Carbonize @ Jan 10th 2008 1:14PM]

And what's with Blogsmith's comment system today? I mean it always sucks but today it seems to suck even more. I have seen a lot of double posts like the one above where one is attached to the persons profile but the first one isn't.

[Go National @ Jan 10th 2008 11:44AM]

Go National!

[tanooki2003 @ Jan 10th 2008 11:45AM]

Quasar, Technics, Matsushita, and National are all part of Panasonic.

[badqat @ Jan 10th 2008 1:08PM]

Ah...I've owned many a nice piece of Technics audio equipment in the past...but they're as niche as they come anymore...

[kulims @ Jan 10th 2008 12:01PM]

What about JVC? Will JVC be renamed J-Panasonic.

[badqat @ Jan 10th 2008 1:05PM]

Mashushita no longer owns any part of JVC, so I can't imagine why their name might change...

[BeyondtheTech @ Jan 10th 2008 12:14PM]

They tried a bunch of combination names, and I think Shitpan was the name they almost went with before they decided to give up and just call themselves Panasonic.

[KC @ Jan 10th 2008 2:20PM]

Haha! Thanks for the laugh! =)

[KC @ Jan 10th 2008 2:21PM]

Haha! Thanks for the laugh! =)

[pezman726 @ Jan 10th 2008 12:23PM]

It's actually pronounced a bit more like mat"shoe"sta. but whatever...