Stringer Hails “Breakthrough” For PS3 As Sales Double

Sony Corp. CEO Howard Stringer has announced that U.S. sales of the PlayStation 3 have more than doubled in the weeks following the $100 price drop of the 80GB model and the introduction of the cheaper 40GB version. Speaking to The Associated Press, Stringer revealed that total PlayStation 3 console sales exceeded 100,000 units for the week ending November 11. By comparison the PlayStation 3 sold only 119,400 units for the entirety of September in the U.S. – according to independent data from The NPD Group. "It's the breakthrough we've been anticipating. We've been holding our breath," said Stringer. "Obviously, we've taken so much heat over the year on PS3, Finally, the turning point has been passed." With weekly sales of between 30,000 and 40,000 consoles before October 18th, sales rose to 75,000 for the week ending October 29th, when the $399 40GB model and 80GB price cut were introduced. The subsequent week saw sales reach 100,000 units. Stringer also painted the anticipated stock problem for the Wii in the U.S. as a positive factor for the PlayStation 3, saying: "It's a little fortuitous that the Wii is running out of hardware.” Although the Xbox 360 outsold the PlayStation 3 for the first time in Japan last week, largely as a result of its own price cut, sales of Sony’s console are expected to exceed both the Xbox 360 and Wii this week as the 40GB model is introduced there. Although there is no regularly updated independent hardware data for Europe, PlayStation 3 sales have also reportedly seen a rapid rise in the UK since the introduction of the 40GB model – according to comments by Chart-Track.