Sony, the Japanese electronics group, plans to expand its personal computer business by launching PCs in several European countries this year.

The latest launch in Europe, of the Vaio series, will give Sony a presence in the three main regional PC markets of the US, Japan and Europe. Sony re-entered the PC market two years ago with the introduction of Vaio in the US, followed by Japan last June. Although it does not reveal sales figures, analysts believe its Vaio notebook is among the top-selling in its sector in Japan, where consumers have taken to its sophisticated design.