Consumer
Your Next Washing Machine May Cost More for Fewer Parts
With consumers spending less, Whirlpool is hiking prices and trying to shave costs.
Whirlpool's latest washing machine, the Smart Front Load, became available to consumers late last year.
Source: Whirlpool Corp.This article is for subscribers only.
On its face, Whirlpool Corp.’s newest washing machine, with its modern muted veneer, looks nicer than its old ones. And for $100 more, it should be.
But behind the scenes, the century-old US appliance maker implemented a series of cost-cutting measures to squeeze more profit out of its machines. Whirlpool stripped a coat of color, left some internal parts unpainted and removed unnecessary parts — changes that are saving the appliance maker as much as 8% on the washers and leaving shoppers with a simpler product that costs more.