No word yet on 40GB PS3 in North America

Despite the ongoing retail speculation that Sony is preparing to launch the reduced-spec 40GB PS3 in North America, Wedbush Morgan analyst Michael Pachter has stated that a surplus of 60GB units in the territory is forcing the company to put its plans on hold.

These rolling announcements suggest to me that Sony has an inventory control problem, with too many unsold 60GB units out there, and they don’t want to have to cut the price to clear them,” Wedbush Morgan securities analyst Michael Pachter told GamesIndustry.

Speculating that a 40GB announcement would have to wait until sufficient numbers of the 60GB models have been sold, he added that Sony might have to accept reality and bundle the 60GB with a game and an extra controller for $499.99, giving consumers some value for their money.”