An unknown brand, the TV is being distributed by Vivo a Company that use to trade as Natcomp International. The move comes as several unknown brands attempt to grab market share in the bottom end of the flat panel market.
In Vivo's case the Company is positioning themselves as a premium brand despite the fact that the LCD panel is only 100HZ and is selling at just over $2,000.
Harvey Norman, The Good Guys and JB Hi Fi are not stocking the Vivo brand as they focus on known brands such as Samsung, Sony, LG and Philips and in some cases house brands that they are importing themselves. Dick Smith and Tandy is stocking the brand according to the Companies PR consultant.
A Merrill Lynch analyst said "as the market for flat panel TV's grow and the Federal Government funds education of the Digital switchover we are going to see a lot of bottom end players try and grab some share. It appears that Vivo which is a brand that I have never hear of is going to struggle as there are a lot of Chinese and Taiwanese as well as brands like TEAC, Palsonic and online brands like Kogan competing for share at the bottom end." they said.
"Recently we German brand Telefunken grab significant share via discount retailers such as K Mart with a $899 52" Plasma TV however the threat for unknown brands is going to come from brands like LG who will be able to match the pricing of an unknown brand particularly at the bottom end of the market".
