Microsoft expects Xbox 360 hardware unit sales to cross the seven-figure mark by the end of 2009, as the company talked about how the tables have turned against rival Sony during this console generation.

“We’ve just hit 700,000 consoles sold in Australia, and we’re now finding that it’s the fastest growing console down under,” said Xbox Australia marketing manager Jeremy Hinton in a GameSpot report.

At the end of March 2009, Microsoft said it shipped 30.2 million Xbox 360 hardware units worldwide since the console's launch in 2005. Xbox 360 trails the Wii, which has sold 50.2 million worldwide, and leads the PlayStation 3, which has sold 24.6 million. Xbox 360 beat both the Wii and PS3 to market.

Hinton's forecast comes about a week after Sony announced a price cut and a hardware redesign for the PS3. Sony's console launched in Australia in the first half of 2007 for AUD$999.95. The revised PS3 will sell for AUD$499.95.

“It’s only going to help them [Sony], although I don’t know that anyone was surprised by the announcement given the months of rumors before it," Hinton said. "But it’s a long way until Christmas and I think the Australian consumer will still see the $AU299 price point of Xbox 360 as the more compelling offer."

"We [Microsoft] always have things planned. In the past we might have been in third place and we might have been thinking about what Sony’s doing, but now things are different. We’ve had our Christmas plans set for a long time and they won’t change simply because Sony’s plans do."

I don't get these numbers together..
Even though it states March for Xbox 360, as in shipped, this doesn't make any sense.

Current Sales:

Wii: 52.51 (+ 2.3M)

Xbox 360: 31.41 (+ 1.2M)

PS3: 23.24 (- 1.4M)

Even if it's unclear if the Wii and PS3 is ment for march, or if they mean shipped,
the difference between the Wii and PS3 doesn't make any sense.

PS3 undertracked?

OT: In my eyes, this is a bit bullshit from Microsoft. OF COURSE their plans change.. look at the elite price drop.. how come it happened on the EXACT same date as slim release? :p anyways, let see how Microsoft planned this holiday :)

Microsoft is definitely concerned. They phased out the pro, dropped the elite and removed the HDMI. I feel they are cornered now. This is BS, their plans have definitely changed.

AoiRayn- Sony claimed their shipped numbers were 23.7mil at gamescom so that figure for ps3 (24.6mil) is wrong although I have seen it in a number of articles.

OT: thats bull imo, u have to change ur plans otherwise u will lose out.

Of course there plans changed.

They got rid of the Pro and drop the Elite price on Slim day...

How long do you think it takes to print thousands of Flyers with the 360 price drop and ship them across america?

That's void.
If they weren't concerned, they wouldn't done the things they have done so far

Do you mean that the elite price drop was planned all along?
Of course they had it ready, but it wouldn't be dropped if the PS3 wouldn't drop.
So Sony plans changes Xbox 360 plans.

To answer the actual question, I would think it would take some days only, just like newspapers or whatever..

In all fairness the removal of the Pro was rumored long before the announced the PS3 Slim. But I tdo hink it's stupid to say that your plans don't change when that of your closest competition does change. That just shows your not being actively and engaging, they probably want to say that they aren't worried but there are beter words to use for that. As for your cornered comment, that's a bit fanboyish, isn't it? And even if it isn't then it's still wishful thinking because it will take a bit more to be cornered. The way I see it the Slim was in the line fo expectations and Microsoft realises that they have to give this year's holiday period to Sony. Last year Sony had to do the same because they were working on the Slim and it's big deal launch. Next year Microsoft will do the same with Natal and another fanboy will say Sony is cornered. Neither console maker will be cornered and both have sold enough units to go for another round so neither is doomed either.

They would not admit if they are concerned.