As I've mentioned in other threads, I think Kirby has taken their present design as far as they can, and in the process, they have painted themselves into the proverbial corner. People have suggested that Kirby make their machines out of plastic to save weight and eliminate the need for the Tech Drive, make them bagless and give them onboard tools, but if you do all that, you will have removed everything that makes a Kirby uniquely a Kirby, and turned it into something no different from the $99 disposable plasticrap vacs from Wally World, but that's not what Kirby owners/customers want or expect when they shell out two grand for their machine. Right now, Kirby's biggest competition is itself, in the form of used machines at thrift stores, pawn shops, yard sales, and even eBay. When you can pick up a used Kirby in nice shape with all its tools for around $50, who in their right mind would pay forty times as much for a brand new one, much less twice as much for the aforementioned plasticrap vac?
Personally, I think Kirby's present owners aren't interested in innovating. They're just coasting things out for as long as can. Whenever they decide that's no longer advantageous, they'll close up shop, carve up the assets, and call it a day. The Chinese will then end up with the trademarks and slap the Kirby brand on $99 plasticrap vacs, for which they will charge $299, because they carry a prestigious American name. The buying public will fall for this in the short run, because they will think they're getting a bargain when they see Kirbys at Wally World, but wehn that wave subsides, the Chinese will start watering down the brand by slapping it on any random product they can think of, from microwave ovens to TV sets, and thus another proud American brand will take its place on the ash heap of history.
