LCD TV reviews - Samsung grabs top spot in N.America LCD TV market in Q4

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Samsung Electronics of South Korea became the top seller of LCD TVs in N. America in the 4th quarter of 2007 as low prices helped boost shipments, according to market research firm iSuppli Corp.By unit shipments, Samsung's market shares rose to 14.2% in the 4th quarter from 12.8% in the 3rd quarter, while Sony Corporation share grew to 12.5% from the 3rd quarter's 10.8%, giving the Japanese firm place number two in N. America, up from fourth during the previous quarter, iSuppli said in a statement seen by Reuters on Thursday.

After dominating the N. American market in the second and 3rd quarters, Vizio, a new TV brand, slipped to 3rd, with its market share falling to 12.4% from 13% in the 3rd quarter, the research firm said.
"Samsung and Sony employed very aggressive pricing and promotion strategies to take advantage of the key holiday buying season," said Riddhi Patel, principal analyst, television systems for iSuppli.
"For example, Samsung in December offered a $300 price discount for its 40-inch models and heavily promoted those sets through leading electronics retailer Best Buy, giving it dominance at that size."
Sony also enjoyed rising sales of its line of more affordable LCD (liquid crystal display) TVs, giving the company the lead in the markets for 46- and 52-inch sets, iSuppli said.
Vizio's pricing was still lower than Samsung's and Sony's in the fourth quarter, but the differential was not great enough to lure as many North American consumers away from the established brands, iSuppli added.

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