GoldStar

GoldStar began as a South Korean electronics firm in 1958. Its product range was extensive: radios, televisions, air conditioners, MSX home computers, LCD games, VCRs, audio and video cassette tapes, microwave ovens, electronic typewriters, integrated circuits, escalators, elevators, injection molding machines, dehumidifiers, fans, and tractors. In the 1980s, GoldStar televisions became a common brand in the U.S. consumer market. A division called GoldStar Precision made electronic test gear like multimeters and oscilloscopes, plus industrial electronics.

After merging with Lucky Chemical on February 28, 1995, the corporate name changed to LG Electronics and LG Cable. GoldStar Precision became LG Precision, keeping many of the same products and model numbers under new branding. In 1999, the measuring device unit was bought by EZ Digital, again with identical or similar model numbers. The industrial side continued as LIG Nex1.

LG Cable was later spun off from LG Electronics and renamed LS Cable in 2005. GoldStar’s tractor operations started in 1975 as a Hyundai division, working with Japan’s Yanmar. Cooperation with Italy’s Fiat began in 1977, and in 1983 the division was acquired by GoldStar. That same year, Lucky Chemical and GoldStar merged to form Lucky-Goldstar, and a new partnership with Mitsubishi began.

Cooperation with Fiat resumed in 1984. Tractors were sold under the GoldStar and Fiat-GoldStar brands. The Fiat-GoldStar name ended when GoldStar became LG Cable. GoldStar also produced some computer monitors, optical disc drives, and a version of the 3DO multimedia game console, alongside manufacturers like Sanyo, JVC, and Samsung.