60GB PS3 Being Discontinued In The US

When is a price cut not a price cut? When it's to phase out and discontinue current stock to bring in a new SKU at the old price.

Make sense?

SCEE president David Reeves has announced that after they have sold off all the 60GB model PS3's, that particular model will no longer be made available. So the only model that our US friends will able to buy will be the 80GB model at the old price of $599.

The 60GB model is expected to be phased out by the end of July.

Reeves made the statement whilst being questioned about the potential European outcry over the fact that the price cut won't be applicable to them (us).

"Well, they're not really are they", he said, "because what the US are offering from the 1st of August is a USD 599 version with one game.

"All they're doing is taking their stock in trade that they've got at the moment of the 60GB model, marking the price down and it will all be gone by the end of July."

The new 80GB model will now come bundled with a copy of Motorstorm (see image below) and retail at the old 60GB price of $599.

So there you have it. Simple...

[Update]: Sony US now say that they're not discontinuing the 60GB model, although SCEE president David Reeves say they are. A Sony US spokesperson said,

""As announced this week, SCEA's product offering in North America consists of a 80GB PS3 available in August at $599 and a 60GB PS3 available now for $499. We have will have ample supplies of both models to meet the needs of our consumers for the foreseeable future."

Expect this to go on for a few more days.