Canadian and US Versions of Electrolux Vacuums

[kirbytradition7]

I grew up in the USA, but now live in Calgary, Alberta (since Sept. 2012).

I have seen older Canadian Electroluxes that look similar to American ones. Yet Canadian model designations are different to those of American machines.

I have a question: Are the Canadian machines direct versions of US models?

I own an AP280, a vintage 1982 Canadian Electrolux. Was this the Canadian version of a particular American model at that same time? If so, what was the corresponding American model?

I could ask the same about whether other Electroluxes I desire, including the model G, the Hospital G, and the 1205 (and other models) made in the USA, have corresponding Canadian models. Is there a Canadian version of the model G, or the 1205, for example? If so, what is the model designation of the corresponding models? I would like to find the Canadian versions for my "collection".

kirbytradition7

 

[Davinator1977]

I know this!

The Olympia was the US version of the AP280

 

[collector2]

In response to the question: Are the Canadian machines direct versions of US models? The simple answer is NO. While the Canadian and American Electrolux corporations were owned by the same parent company and did share alot of innovations between them they were run as separate entities for most of their history with their own research and design departments. From the mid 70's on they shared colour schemes for their machines which facilitated using certain common parts ( Eg: while the ends on the hoses were different the colour schemes were the same so they could use the same weave on both)as well as allowing them to use certain products on either side of the border within their lines (eg: the yellow 1365 Electrolux Upright - US made but sold in Canada or the Trivac line - Canadian made but sold in the US)

The machines themselves, however, were totally different designs and used completely different parts from the motors out.

 

[petek]

Doug what was the story again about the Super J iirc being sold in Canada for a period.

I've often wondered why Electrolux chose to manufacture a near completely different machine for the Canadian market, they were really the only company that did it. All the other US appliance manufactures selling in Canada like Hoover made their machines pretty much the same. Whether they actually made them here in their plant or used a 3rd party to do it.

 

[vac_whisperer]

I've always been intrigued by foreign vacuums. I would really like to add a Canadian Lux to my collection, but I had a heck of a time even finding my ONE lux, so I doubt ill find one anytime soon.
Sorry to get off topic.

 

[collector2]

Hey Pete:

You have to remember that Electrolux wasnt a US company. It was Swedish. And it wasnt actually Canada that was radically different. It was the US. All the original Canadian machines were based on the Swedish designs while the US ones were totally different. By the 50's both were running somewhat independantly of the Swedish company and had been set up as separate entities with their own R & D departments so kept on like that. They did share the technology though. It was fairly common for Electrolux to set up that way. If you look at the Australian Electrolux's they are based on the Swedish machines as well but slightly different again.

As far as the Super J goes. US machines were sold in Canada at various times, generally to introduce some new innovation to the market to see how it went over before incorporating it into their designs. This goes back to the LX and AE which were used to introduce the disposable bag. In the mid 70's when the factory in Canada went on strike the Super J's (And Golden J's and 1205s - all repacks) were brought in to keep the sales force selling.

 

[electromatik]

One important difference that you can easily notice is how the Canadian machines had a "loaf" design. They were wider and flatter than the U.S. versions. Later Canadian models looked somewhat closer but still had a different top, dial, and front door. The later Canadian vacuums had a front door that had a peak that stuck out on the top and bottom while the U.S. versions never did. Electrolux evolved in Sweden and spread round the world. In 1937 they opened thier first U.S. plant and began a long, slow 30 plus year divorce from the Swedish company (hastened by WWII and the Federal takeover of all plants). By 1968 the U.S. company (and I'm not sure about the Canadian company) was bought by Consolidated Foods and was no longer tied to the Swedish mother company. By the 1970's and 80's, the vacuums bore no resemblance to the European ones. There was no equivalent to the Silverado or Ultralux or Epic or Renaissance, etc. I believe the Canadian versions eventually matched up, as I think the Epic, Renny, and Guardian were sold there in the same format. Whether this means they closed thier Canada plant I'm not sure. It's a fascinating (though convoluted) history!

 

[collector2]

Hey Christopher:

Both Canadian and American Electrolux were bought by Consolidated Foods (Sarah-Lee) at the same time. Free trade destroyed the Canadian factories. When it came in they closed the Canadian factories, laying off all the workers and started to bring the machines in from the US. The first one they brought in was the Grand Marquis, then Legacy. Both of which went over like a lead balloon. Sales dropped drastically as they were far heavier than the existing Canadian machines. People viewed them as a step backward from what they already had and, consequently, didnt buy. Within a year they brought out the Diplomat to replace them and sales again started to pick up.