Vizio Says They're No. 1 In Growth

Posted Tuesday, March 20, 2007

VIZIO, maker of multiple award-winning lines of high definition flat panel TVs, announced today that they are now 2006's fastest growing brand of flat panel HDTVs in North America. According to DisplaySearch's year-end TV shipment report, VIZIO enjoyed 618% growth in 2006 flat panel TV shipments, higher than any other brand. During the same 2006 period, the industry experienced a 136% increase. During the fourth quarter 2006 period VIZIO placed #5 in retail $ value in the explosive LCD TV category and was also #5 in units for 32"+ flat panel TVs.

VIZIO CEO William Wang commented on the brand's growth. "These reports, the critical acclaim and our success this year endorse our mission of making performance products at a value. 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. We have made and continue to make investments in the brand with a multimillion-dollar ad program. Even though we are building our staff this year to meet the growing needs for tech and customer support, we will still lead the industry in operational efficiency and its resultant value - much of which is passed along to consumers," Wang concluded.

Keeping the Heat On with a $999 VIZIO 42" Plasma HDTV

A key size during the transition to digital TV in the U.S. has been those at 42 inches. VIZIO's new VP42HDTV is now selling at an everyday price of $999.99. Its black and silver cabinet elegantly encases a truly impressive display with a high 10,000:1 contrast ratio -- rendering deep rich blacks. Like all VIZIO HDTVs, the 42" plasma is fully featured with 2 HDMI, 2 component video and computer RGB inputs, ATSC/QAM/NTSC tuner, and removable stand. The 60,000-hour VP42HDTV plasma is available now at Costco member stores and comes with industry-leading Free One-Year On-Site Warranty Service.

"We are excited at VIZIO to be able to make our 42" plasma available for under $1,000 in time for March Madness and the start of NASCAR and baseball seasons," stated Jeff Schindler, VIZIO Vice President of Marketing and Business Operations. We have also reduced our 32", 37", 42", 46" and 47" LCDs' everyday prices. In light of our expanded lineup adding the 47" 1080P LCD HDTV and these price adjustments, we expect our first quarter of 2007 to be much larger than Q'4 2006. 2007 will be the year to buy HDTVs for many more Americans," concluded Schindler.

Part of an Award-Winning Line of Plasma and LCD Televisions

The VP42HDTV is sure to be the volume leader of VIZIO's plasma line up this spring, that now includes the MAXIMVS 60" VM60P ($2,999.99) and award-winning 50" P50HDTV ($1,699.99). VIZIO's Top 5 brand of LCDs now boasts the newly reduced 47" Full (1080P) HDTV Gallevia GV47LF ($1,699.99 from $1,899.99), 46" GV46L ($1,599.99), the 42" GV42L ($1,199.99) and L42HDTV ($1,099.99), along with the newly reduced 37" VX37L ($799.99) and 32" VX32L ($599.99). The 20" VIZIO VX20L ($399.99) has just been awarded the 2007 red dot product design award. This follows an award earlier from iF for the VIZIO VX37L that carries a similar design execution.

A Strong Future for VIZIO Brand and HDTV Sales in 2007

According to DisplaySearch founder and President Ross Young, "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. It even reached #5 in 32" and larger flat panel unit shipments in Q4'06 (a). 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."