| Chances are most people today own at least one | | | | home electronics, industrial equipment, and |
| electronic product made by Panasonic, a leading | | | | telecommunications equipment. |
| international brand. The meaning behind Panasonic's | | | | In order to differentiate itself within the personal |
| name is rooted in its history and is something most | | | | computer category, Panasonic recently developed the |
| people have not learned about from reading their | | | | notebook computer line Toughbook. With its rock solid, |
| owner's manual. | | | | durable outer casing, this laptop is target towards |
| Panasonic, a Japanese based electronics | | | | hard-working professionals. Their biggest rival is |
| manufacturer, was created in 1955 for the US, | | | | considered to be Sony, another Japanese corporation. |
| Canada, and Mexico, under the parent company | | | | While the two compete for sales of flat panel |
| Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. Today, Panasonic sells | | | | televisions, digital cameras, and DVD recorders, the |
| everything from laptops and digital cameras to | | | | most noticeable rivalry comes form their automobile |
| microwave ovens and telephones. The Panasonic | | | | audio product offerings. Panasonic is known for its |
| brand was originally used for audio equipment, hence | | | | OEM radio equipment in automobiles and light trucks in |
| the words "pan" meaning "all" and "sonic" meaning | | | | the US market. |
| "sound" that make up the brand name. | | | | Panasonic plans to continually seek and invest in joint |
| Matsushita was recently the largest Japanese | | | | ventures to develop the newest up and coming |
| electronics maker, based on annual electronic sales in | | | | technologies in consumer electronics. This business |
| 2004. The company not only manufactures products, | | | | strategy will help to ensure Panasonics place in the |
| but also spends a large amount to planning, research | | | | industry again other Japanese giant corporations such |
| and development. They are most well-known for | | | | as Toshiba and Hitachi. |