Microsoft, Sony reach console shipment targets

Microsoft Corp. and Sony Corp., the world’s two largest makers of video game consoles, reached shipment targets during the year-end shopping season, a sign their machines will drive electronics sales in 2007.

Microsoft sold 10.4 million Xbox 360 consoles last year, beating a target for 10 million units, the company said. Sony’s U.S. head said the company overcame production delays to meet its goal of shipping 1 million PlayStation 3 machines to the U.S.