Vizio Climbs the Flat Panel Industry Ladder

Vizio, known for producing relatively inexpensive HD flat panel TVs for sale in places like Costco Wholesale and Sam’s Club, announced last week their brand had entered the top five LCD TV brands based upon fourth quarter shipments. This is apparently according to data from DisplaySearch, a flat panel display market research and consulting firm.

Vizio said they had seen 618% year over year growth, compared to an industry growth of 136% during the same period. DisplaySearch data, besides ranking them in the top five brands, also placed them number five in units for 32"+ flat panel TVs. The flat panel manufacturer projects they will have 10% market share in flat panels in 2007.

"These reports, the critical acclaim and our success this year endorse our mission of making performance products at a value," said VIZIO CEO William Wang, in a statement. "It is very satisfying that we have been able to meet and exceed the expectations of our customers, vendors and retail partners –even in light of this explosive growth."

One example of Vizio’s line up, according to the company, is the VP42HDTV. This $999, 42" plasma HDTV has a black and silver cabinet and sports features like two HDMI, two component video and computer RGB inputs, ATSC/QAM/NTSC tuner, and a removable stand.

"In 2006, VIZIO established itself as a major player in the TV market by focusing on the rapidly growing warehouse club channel, getting to the industry’s most attractive prices and offering tremendous value," said DisplaySearch founder and President Ross Young. "It even reached #5 in 32" and larger flat panel unit shipments in Q4’06. In 2007 and beyond, we
expect the company to broaden its distribution, continue to invest in its brand and become even a more significant competitor in this rapidly growing space."

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