Appliance families
Yes, I know what you mean Alr2903. Just as with cars, appliance makers had their own signature styles and design features. In cars today, there are still some signature touches (like the love-it-or-hate-it Lexus "Spindle Grille"), but there's a whole bunch of Me Too as well. Like how Ford Taurus, Hyundai Sonata and Subaru Legacy/Outback all have very similar grilles. And on more than one occasion I have mistaken a real Aston Martin for a Ford Fusion, which leaves me feeling a bit queasy.
Appliances have a little more of a "legitimate" reason, I guess. There have been so many mergers and brand acquisitions that it's no surprise there is so much sameness. For a lot, it IS the look of an appliance family, it's just that the Whirlpool family (for instance) now includes Amana, Jenn-Aire, Maytag, etc--plus there seems to be less differentiation dictated when they make something for the Kenmore brand.