Despite a year-to-year growth rate of more than 330 percent, Vizio dropped to the still-respectable runner-up slot in overall LCD-TV units sold in North America in the third quarter, as Sharp reclaimed the lead for the first time in more than two years, according to Austin, Texas-based industry analyst DisplaySearch.
Vizio made a quick and impressive brand name for itself with a surge to the front of the pack in Q2, mainly thanks to a regimen of selling through big-box stores and clubs like Costco, Sam’s Club and BJ’s (HD Notebook, Aug. 22, 2007).
Sharp led with a share of 11.3 percent, rising on year-to-year growth of 88 percent, but it had the slowest quarter-to-quarter growth of the top five, which DisplaySearch said perhaps could be explained “by the less seasonal nature of its primary sales channel,” the warehouse club outlets. Still, Vizio came out on top in 32-inch and larger volume sales, and in LCD HD units, and led the in 37-inch and 42-inch brackets as well.
Samsung fell one slot, to third, said DisplaySearch. Sony rose from seventh to fourth for the quarter. Falling from fourth to fifth spot was Funai. (In plasma units, Panasonic continued its quarterly lead.)
