VIZIO has done for HDTVs what Dell did for PCs and Southwest Airlines did for air travel: sell them for less. The company sells low-cost flat panel and plasma LCD HDTVs. It has gone head to head with Japanese giants such as Sony and Samsung, but its products are made in China and Taiwan. Each year VIZIO has logged large revenue gains by selling quality televisions for hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars less than its competitors. The company was founded by CEO William Wang in 2003 and, initially, its TVs were only sold at membership retailers such as Costco Wholesale, BJ's Wholesale Club, and Sam's Club. Since then it has extended its reach to discount retailers Wal-Mart and Sears.