How did this work? I thought GE and Whirlpool were competitors? How/why does a Whirlpool washer have the GE name on it?
GE washer made by Whirlpool
- Thread starter Chetlaham
- Start date
Help Support :
I’m not sure the politics of it but quite a few 24” stack units were branded GE and were whirlpool units.
repairguy
Well-known member
I don’t believe GE ever made any portable or stacked laundry units. They were made for GE by Sanyo, Whirlpool, Frigidaire, etc.
Why couldn't/wouldn't GE make their own? Which was probably a good thing. Lots of dysphoria was sparred.
golittlesport
Well-known member
$
Q: why didn't GE design and build their own 24" portable washers?
A: Much cheaper to outsource a small volume product line
Q: why didn't GE design and build their own 24" portable washers?
A: Much cheaper to outsource a small volume product line
But how/why doesn't the final product cost more?
You would have Whirlpool, and then GE would have to mark up the cost for themselves?
You would have Whirlpool, and then GE would have to mark up the cost for themselves?
thatwasherguy
Well-known member
Brand bias?
I'm thinking that the average consumer wouldn't have known they were the same machine underneath, and bought one over the other because they perferred that brand. I see that a lot with today's KitchenAids, Maytags and Whirlpools, where people will spend more for the Maytag or the KitchenAid, despite it being the same machine as a Whirlpool that is literally sitting right next to it on the sales floor. That's the only reason I can come up with.
Thatwasherguy.
I'm thinking that the average consumer wouldn't have known they were the same machine underneath, and bought one over the other because they perferred that brand. I see that a lot with today's KitchenAids, Maytags and Whirlpools, where people will spend more for the Maytag or the KitchenAid, despite it being the same machine as a Whirlpool that is literally sitting right next to it on the sales floor. That's the only reason I can come up with.
Thatwasherguy.
But KitchenAids are significantly different than the Whirlpool and even Maytags. Differ by tub material, racking, racking features, and cycle programming software is different between the brands. Also the water distribution and filtering systems too.
The margins for GE doubtless weren't great on this machine, but would have been REEEALLLY bad had they had to make new stampings/tubs/engineering/etc to get into the "small washer" market. This way they could provide a full line and not lose any sales for their dealers. During this vintage, everyone went to Amana for a bottom-freezer refrigerator, or to White-Westinghouse for a front-loading washing machine.
repairguy
Well-known member
A Whirlpool built GE badged 24” stack.
