Microsoft announces Xbox 360 manufacturers

Microsoft has issued a statement announcing that manufacturing companies Celestica, Flextronics and Wistron will produce the next-generation Xbox 360 console.

Flextronics and Wistron also produced the original Xbox, but this is the first time Microsoft has entered into a partnership with Celestica.

"It's an honour to have the expertise and support of three of the world's best-in-class manufacturing companies as we move into the next-generation with Xbox 360," commented Xbox executive Todd Holmdahl.

"With three contract manufacturers on board, we're poised to have the flexibility and efficiencies we need to keep up with the consumer demand for the world's most powerful next-generation platform."

All three manufacturing plants are located in the Pearl River Delta region of southern China

The Microsoft statement confirmed that the Xbox 360 "remains on track for a global launch this Christmas in North America, Europe and Japan."