Technology conglomerate Sony’s CFO Hiroki Totoki has reportedly said that the supply issues for the PlayStation 5 are unlikely to improve anytime soon. According to Totoki, the company is finding it extremely challenging to keep up with the robust demand for the gaming console, and further claimed that supply disruptions may continue even in 2022.
Totoki has recently been quoted as stating that the possibility of relaxation in demand is highly unlikely, and even if the firm secures several more devices and manufactures more PS5 units in the next year, the supply will be insufficient to cater to the rising demand. Over 100 million units of PlayStation 4 have been sold, which highlights the vast market share and reputation Sony holds, and thereby explains the steady rise in demand for the PS5.
Sony is aiming for the production of at least 14.8 million units of the PS5 in the financial year starting April 2021, after recording sales of more than 7.8 million through 31st March. Sony also sold 14.8 million PlayStation 4 consoles in the first full fiscal year of its release. However, it did not suffer any significant supply setbacks for a majority of that duration, which suggests that the initial demand for PlayStation 5 is considerably higher.
The comments from Sony’s CFO are not as optimistic as previous communication from the company. The PlayStation boss had suggested previously that the supply for the PS5 would improve with each month throughout 2021. CEO and President of Sony Interactive Entertainment, Jim Ryan had also reportedly stated in February that the speed of improvement in the supply chain would increase over the course of the year, so by the second half of the year, there would be a decent supply of the consoles.
While the PS5 supply is expected to get back on track at some point, Sony is currently focused on Totoki’s perspective and does not expect to be able to meet demand in the near future, even in the event of a production capacity expansion.
Source Credit: https://www.theverge.com/2021/5/10/22428322/sony-ps5-supply-constraints-2022-hiroki-totoki