@chetlaham
Whirlpool doesn't use the VMW platform in Brazil There they still use the plain old WWW.
The washers are smaller than the VMW and there até several factory that impact (positively and negatively) any washer in Brazil compared to the USA.
1) DOE X INMETRO: Although both countries want washers to be overall efficient, the USA standards focus more on water efficiency. In Brazil, water was never a problem, but electricity is outrageously expensive, so the INMETRO standards are thrifty with electrical efficiency. A Brastemp washer, as is, would never pass the DOE test because it uses too much water and a US Whirlpool (whatever top load model) would never pass the INMETRO test because it uses too much electricity.
2) Hot water: Here in the US, using hot or at least warm water for laundry is something that everybody knows. In Brazil, If you mention "hot water", MANY PEOPLE, ORDINARY PEOPLE chosen randomly among the population would look at you with a giant neon question mark blinking above their heads and ask "why the heck would somebody use hot or warm water for laundry?"
Of course, there we also have dirty clothes, Brazilians also spill tomato sauce on their white shirts, ring around the collar exists there too and yep, also tire marks. The same nasty stuff dirty laundry has all over the World.
Washers are devices made to clean clothes, in Brazil it's not different. How can we clean a load of whites that is horrible and in cold water? Solution: time and different detergents (huge biological load that makes US Tide look silly). But we can't use too much electricity, so the washers soak like crazy and agitate briefly. Some washers can reach way beyond 4 hours to complete a cycle, that's considering 3.5 hours only soaking. (Longest cycles) a "normal" cycle is often above 1 hour and the "quick" cycle is comparable to the US "normal" cycle.
Not so strangely, using a Brazilian detergent in an American washer will end up in terrible results and vice-versa.
3) The culture is also an important factor. In both countries people don't have time, however, in Brazil, the culture of the "housewife" is still very strong. It's almost like the US in 1950s (man working, women taking care of home and kids). Of course, nowadays this changed a lot (since 1970s) and women also work. But most women still have that "pride" of being a housewife, many iron even bath towels and starch their husband's shirts. (One would be shocked with the number of Brazilians that iron even cleaning rags). It's somewhat sad to see this sexist culture but many women, in 2021, still believe that to "keep a husband", they must cook better than Martha Stewart, clean, sew, do laundry and be always smiling and serve the husband a cold beer when he arrives home. At this point it's different of the US culture of postponing the laundry as much as possible and then toss everything in the washer and use the quick cycle because want the load done in 30 minutes. Most Brazilian women don't see laundry or cooking or waxing the floors as a chore, but as an statement that they're a "complete" woman. (Rolling eyes but that's a fact). That also affects dramatically the way washers are designed.
4) I had a Maytag Centennial (HORRIBLE washer btw) and of course I've designed many electrolux and used many washers made by Whirlpool (Brastemp or Consul) they don't compare at all, they're completely different probably the only thing that is somewhat similar is how slow both agitate. Ignoring the agencies testing procedures or standards, just putting a Brazilian washer in an American home and an American washer in a Brazilian home would definitely end up in frustration for both. users because of those cultural differences.
5) Regarding dishwashers, we fall back on the culture and manufacturers have a bigger challenge: in the USA, its difficult to find a home WITHOUT a dishwasher. In Brazil dishwashers aren't that popular. That's NOT because they cannot afford one, that's because of prejudice. I remember clearly my mom's friends seeing she had a dishwasher she bought here in the USA and asking her "but aren't you afraid your husband will think you're a whore and leave you because you have a machine to do what a woman has the obligation to do?" Or "oh, but you're such a great housewife, why do you have a dishwasher? That thing is for lazy women". And also, the myths... oh, but you have to prewash everything in the sink first because you of course don't want to put dirty dishes in a dishwasher, right? Or how can that thing clean if it doesn't have an abrasive sponge scrubbing the dirt away? Or "ewww, you're going to wash the glasses in the same water you're washing this greasy mixing bowl? The result will surely be horrible." This is slowly changing only now, finally! So, whoever wants to sell a dishwasher in Brazil must make sure it can clean the dishes the sofa, the kids, the sins and the criminal record. the performance must be absurdly spectacular and it must be reliable to OCD levels because more than federal standards, people already buy dishwashers having mixed feelings and being very skeptical that it will work. It just need a single tea spoon coming out poorly washed for them to say "see? I told you dishwashers are stupid gimmick that only work in American movies, let's return it an never again think about the stupid idea of having one".
