Sony's US sales surge

Sony's Playstation 2 was a best-seller last Christmas

Sony's US electronics unit saw sales rise by nearly 15% in the tax year ending in March, to $14bn (£9.77bn).

Strong growth in personal computers and the ongoing success of the Playstation 2 games console boosted the rise.

The news comes amid a flurry of profits warnings and reduced sales targets caused by the US economic slowdown, especially in the personal computer and technology sector.

US sales account for more than 30% of the electronics revenue of its parent, Japan's electronics giant.

Happy president

The group is aiming to repeat its success, and go for another year of double digit growth.

President of Sony Electronics, Fujio Nishida, said he was "happy" with the results, and acknowledged that it had occurred despite "some slowing down in the business".

He attributed the success to a strong style that separated it from the pack of competing electronics companies.

Sony's computers showed especially strong growth, aided by the zinc-coated notebooks (laptops) that have been a style hit.

PC popularity

Sony computer sales rose by 20% in the fourth quarter in the US, despite the profits warnings and declining sales of competitors such as Dell and Hewlett-Packard.

According to PC Data, demand for personal computers declined 18% during that same quarter, when compared to the previous year.

And Playstation 2 also maintained its position as one of the most popular game consoles, selling out way before Christmas.