According to the new report, Toshiba is in talks to sell its image sensor business to Sony in a 20 billion yen (US $163 million) deal.

According to a report from Japanese financial newspaper, Nikkei Asian Review, Toshiba and Sony are currently in late stage talks discussing a 20 billion yed (US $163 million) business deal where Sony will acquire Toshiba's image sensor business.

This will give Sony a solid advance in smartphone, smart automotive and other image sensor markets. If completed, this deal will give Sony Toshiba's newest production facility in Oita which can handle 300mm wafers that currently makes CMOS-based components for image sensors as well as both employees and major customer accounts in automotive and camera industry.

Toshiba is looking a way out of the image industry as it has been caught in improper accounting scandal where the LSI division, which covers both semiconductor and image sensor operations, was made to look more profitable and important than it actually is. Toshiba is looking to focus on profitable/growing semiconductor market, mainly the memory business where the company is a major player in NAND development together with SanDisk.

In any case, this will give Sony a greater hold of the image sensor market where Sony is already a key player.




Source: via Reuters.com.