Vizio TVs are often recognized as some of the best value smart TVs you can buy.
If you’re in the market for a smart TV that offers top-notch picture quality without breaking the bank, Vizio could be the right choice for you.
Now, you might be wondering, how do Vizio TVs manage to be so budget-friendly compared to other brands? And where exactly are Vizio TVs made?
In this article, I’ll explain where Vizio TVs are made and answer some frequently asked questions about them.
Where are Vizio TVs made?
Vizio is a publicly traded American company, with its headquarters located in Irvine, California. Although their creative and design teams are based in California, their TV production happens outside the U.S., in countries like Vietnam, China, Taiwan, Thailand, and Mexico.
Vizio collaborates with external companies such as BOE, Foxconn, Innolux, KIE, Tonly, TPV, and Zylux for parts supply and TV assembly.
By outsourcing their manufacturing process, Vizio can concentrate on what they do best—designing, marketing, and distributing their products.
Design
Vizio’s design wizards are all located in Irvine, California.
They spend their time crafting beautiful TVs that don’t only look good but also offer amazing picture quality and are a breeze to use.
Their creativity isn’t confined to their office in California, though. Staying true to their company slogan “Where Vision Meets Value”, Vizio’s design folks work alongside manufacturers from all over the globe to develop designs for their TVs that are both appealing and wallet-friendly.
That said, it’s important to point out that most of the tech that goes into their TVs isn’t developed in-house. Instead, Vizio leans on non-exclusive licenses for these fancy features.
These licenses give them the intellectual property (IP) rights they need to add top-notch tech to their TVs, most of which they get from other parties.
Manufacturing
When it comes to the nuts and bolts of making and testing their TVs, Vizio doesn’t handle this themselves. They rely on third-party manufacturers to assemble, test, and package all their TVs.
These manufacturing partners, a list that includes names like BOE, Foxconn, Innolux, KIE, Tonly, TPV, and Zylux, have plants in various parts of the world, including Vietnam, China, Taiwan, Thailand, and Mexico.
However, because of trade squabbles between the U.S. and China, Vizio has shifted most of its smart TV production away from China.
These third-party manufacturers take charge of sourcing and producing all the essential raw materials and critical components needed for Vizio TVs.
We’re talking about things like glass substrates, liquid crystal material, driver circuits, polarizers, color filters, LCD panels, and chipsets.
Once the TVs are all set and done, these manufacturing partners ship the finished goods to Vizio’s US facilities. From there, the TVs spread out to retail stores all over the country.
Marketing
Vizio is a big deal in the TV business in the US.
Their marketing pitch is all about delivering top-notch TVs loaded with the latest tech without asking you to empty your wallet.
Vizio’s marketing gurus are always on the job, working to boost their brand’s visibility through both traditional and trendy marketing platforms.
They use everything from TV ads and sponsorships to PR stunts, social media campaigns, and in-store promotions.
They also partner with retailers to whip up exciting promo campaigns.
And Vizio might be taking their marketing game global. In 2020 alone, they spent $31.3 million on marketing—a solid 38.1% jump from the previous year.
Distribution
Vizio TVs are primarily sold through big national retailers, wholesale clubs, and online shopping platforms.
Retail giants like Amazon, Best Buy, Costco, Sam’s Club, Target, and Walmart all stock Vizio TVs, where the brand often holds the first or second most shelf space.
Vizio strategically focuses on partnering with these large-scale retailers. Doing so helps them keep their operating costs down while still pushing their revenue up, even with a small team.
To date, they’ve sold a staggering 82 million TVs and counting.
What’s the history of Vizio TVs?
Vizio was brought to life in 2002 by William Wang and two other founding members. Initially named V Inc., the company switched to Vizio in 2007.
Their mission was to shake things up in the TV industry by offering high-quality TVs that wouldn’t cost you an arm and a leg.
Fast forward to 2006, just four years into their journey, Vizio saw its revenue skyrocket to an estimated $700 million. By the following year, their revenue had surpassed the $2 billion mark.
They became North America’s largest seller of flat panel TVs in 2007.
As for William Wang, he was born in Taiwan and moved to the States when he was twelve. After graduating from the University of Southern California with a degree in Electrical Engineering, he went on to create Vizio.
Does Sony make Vizio TV?
Well, no. Vizio and Sony are two separate entities.
Their TV designs might appear similar at times, but they’re very much rivals in the TV marketplace.
Vizio TVs are designed on American soil but are put together overseas, predominantly in Asian nations like Vietnam and Taiwan.
Are Vizio TVs any good?
Absolutely, Vizio is a solid pick for a TV brand. Their TVs offer excellent picture quality without wreaking havoc on your wallet.
They present real bang for your buck, with their TVs often being several hundred dollars less expensive than their competitors.
Vizio TVs truly shine in dimly lit rooms, thanks to their full-array local dimming backlights. They easily hold their own against other TV brands and models that command a higher price tag.
Of course, like any other TV brand out there, Vizio TVs can have minor hiccups now and then, like problems turning on or audio issues. But these are typically easy to troubleshoot and fix.
Conclusion
Vizio TVs are dreamed up in the United States, but they’re brought to life overseas in places like Vietnam, China, Taiwan, Thailand, and Mexico.
Manufacturing duties are completely outsourced to outside companies such as BOE, Foxconn, Innolux, KIE, Tonly, TPV, and Zylux. These very same companies are in charge of getting the necessary raw materials and key TV components.
When it comes to the tech found in their TVs, Vizio leans on non-exclusive licensed rights.
Once the TVs are all set and ready to go, they’re shipped by these third-party companies to the U.S. From there, Vizio sends them off to major national retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, Costco, Sam’s Club, Target, and Walmart.
The brains behind Vizio is William Wang, who founded the company in 2002, alongside two other original team members.