PlayStation 3 games consoles are rolling off production lines run by Taiwanese contract manufacturer Asustek, if a number of local reports are to be believed. Production began at the start of the month, they allege, albeit in small volumes.

Asustek wouldn't comment on the claims, apparently, but the manufacturer was said to have been contracted to build 4m PS3s, with more than 1m shipping out to Sony by the end of October. The console will launch in Japan on 11 November before shipping almost everywhere else on 17 November.

The reports said Foxconn would come on board as a second manufacturer in due course. Sony has said it expects to ship 6m PS3s by the end of March 2007. It's unclear how long Asustek's alleged 4m unit initial run will last, but it's a good bet that Foxconn will be called on to supply the remaining 2m - if, of course, today's reports are correct. ®