Sauber trying to come to the US

[countryguy]

I like the look of the Sauber Excellence in gold. I like the cloth hose and hose handle with the on/off and speed controls as well as the telescopic wand and power nozzle. The handle and wands are not as buiky as on the Guardian Platinum.

Gary

 

[kenkart]

I Agree

The hose and wands would sell it to me ...I never liked those plastic clunky wands.And a braided hose...BEAUTIFUL!!!

 

[kirbysthebest]

I don't see a problem

Sauber and Lux could co-exist with mechanically similar machines. Simplicity and Riccar are doing just fine with basically the same machines underneath the bonnet. Sauber and Lux have some different features that would attract customers according to their wants and likes. I, as mentioned before, like the Sauber wands. I also like the LCD display but not a big deciding factor.

Where Lux and Sauber will have to step up their game is to offer SERVICE to set themselves apart from others.

Walk into a Riccar/Simplicity shop, if you are there for service if the sales person doesn't meet you at the door, they will often come out to your car as you are pulling out the machine. I have always been allowed to test each of the machines on display, and not told "Oh you can't use that one it's new." When you make a purchase, I have never not had it carried to my car for me and put in the back.

 

[eurekaprince]

I think it would only be fair to have Aerus shops and salespeople be the exclusive distributors for Sauber's Intelligence in North America. It would give them a nice high-end line up that would give Aerus customers a nice choice of attachment sets for the same canister. And I'm sure the selection of bags and filters are identical for the entire line-up.

 

[luxman107]

As far as service goes, aerus Electrolux is still the only company that's comes to you home to repair, pick up, or bring supplies.

 

[djub85]

I really don't think there's much of a reason to bring this vacuum to the US, and it would only serve to either hurt Aerus sales or ruin the Sauber venture, depending on which version of the machine was cheaper.


 


Instead, Aerus/Electrolux needs to make a few changes to their own lineup:


 


1. Ditch the '90s plastic wands on the Platinum and the Legacy in favor of more modern, steel telescoping wands. Keep the classic tools (combo floor brush, L-shaped power nozzle, upholstery brush, etc.), but adapt a new wand system to fit them.


 


2. Introduce another "trim level" of the Platinum. Worldwide, the Platinum/Intelligence is made in different options levels. There's no reason why Aerus can't sell a cheaper version of that machine along side the super-premium Platinum.


 


3. Make the Platinum in the USA, finally. And move the rest of their production back to the USA so that the Legacy and Classic can say "MADE in the USA" instead of just "assembled." Made in the USA is a big selling feature these days, and I imagine that trend will continue.


 


4. Upgrade the Legacy. As a mid-level machine, it needs to catch up to the tech in the rest of the market. The fully-sealed HEPA system from the Guardian Ultra will fit right inside the current bones, and the Ultra HEPA filter will fit in the current Legacy lid--there is no excuse for Aerus to not have done this already. Add the new wands I mentioned, add a cord winder stop/start button, and make the power switch electronic instead of mechanical. Boom. Then the Legacy finally would be somewhat modern, even without a multi-speed motor (although that would be a nice option, too).


 


5. Keep the Classic the same (because its compatibility with the retro tools is cool), but lower the price so that the company sells something that's relatively affordable.


 


6. Find a way to get back the Electrolux name. I've said it before, and I'll say it a bunch more times... people still think the Electrolux brand in stores is the same as the old Electrolux. Aerus needs to find a way to get that name back... maybe they can just tack USA onto the end of it, or maybe they can sell Tri-Star to get enough cash to buy the name back entirely. Whatever the solution, they need something more than just "Lux" as a label on their products in order for consumers to connect the dots. I'd be happy with Electrolux USA, Electrolux by Aerus, or Aerus-Electrolux.


 


7. Advertise more. I'm tired of always seeing Dyson and Shark commercials... let's see some for Aerus. Change distribution methods. Aerus could sell ALL of their products online (entire machines, parts, etc., not just bags) and have the nearest dealership make commission on those online sales (and dealers could even deliver the products, if the consumer elects that option). There just needs to be more exposure and more avenues for sales. I wouldn't be against Aerus selling their products outside of their dealer networks so long as some plans were made to keep revenue flowing into the dealers--I don't want to see the Aerus stores close.


 


LOL that's my long-winded answer. No, we don't need Sauber's Intelligence here. Instead, we need Aerus to make a few changes.


 


 

 

[seamusuk]

The ET-1 Powerhead...

Now where have I seen that before.....LOL
Seamus

 

[godfreys_guy]

Eureka Prince...

At the end of the day, they could do what they want - they'd have to buy the units from lux anyways, and they'd have to find a retailer or set up a whole new sales channel and Aus is pretty jam packed with vacs and to find a retailer other than godfreys to sell vacs over $1000 would be very very difficult.

 

[godfreys_guy]

OOOHH oooooh

I have the example I was looking to use...
Holden (gm) and Isuzu sell a vehicle here called the Colorado/D-Max.

These vehicles are manufactured in a shared facility BUT by two different companies - IE in Australia Holden is GM and Isuzu are a separate entity with no financial tie to GM. They co-exist by using different Dealers, Different marketing and slightly different specifications.... despite the core vehicle being 95% the same car, made in the same factory

I would believe that Godfreys (since they just launched on the ASX) are now cashed up and are looking to expand their footprint, there is other vacs in these pics that are Hoover here, but as they are not TTI products, they have re-named as Sauber.

 

[s31463221]

Sauber coming to US

After reading these posts, I decided to contact Godfreys and see what they had to say about it, here was their response:

Hi Stephen,

Thanks for your inquiry, that model is not available in 120v for your market just yet. We expect to have it available a little later this year and can let you know accordingly.

Appreciate your interest in our products,

Regards,

Godfreys Export


Sent from my Samsung GALAXY S4 on the Telstra 4G network

 

[countvacula]

That isn't you in the first photo is it Wayne? nyuk-nyuk-nyuk





couldn't resist

 

[countvacula]

Panasonic and Kenmore have overlapping models such as their bagless and some budget canisters coming off the same assembly lines in Mexico and China but are sold with different marketing strategies so there is precedence for this.

 

[LionKCommander]

Haha very funny

i wish she was my wife.

 

[countvacula]

Then why only a leg shot? We're all growed up adults. Well, most of us anyhoo.

 

[godfreys_guy]

Here it is in Glorious Gold

With the ET1 Powerhead... this thing would be unstoppable

http://www.sauber.com.au/excellence-se-400-vacuum-cleaner#.VPPmffmUffI

 

[s31463221]

Gold Sauber

That is absolutely beautiful! I certainly hope that's an available option if/when they make it to the US! This puts me in mind of my Commemorative Edition UltraLux!

 

[ultralux88]

I was at the VDTA as well, and played with the display model. First thing I looked at was the power cord, it was plugged into a regular 120V outlet with an american plug on the cord, so they've gone to the point of actually manufacturing a machine for the US market. I really hope they do actually release them here, they said in about 6 months I should be able to buy one here, as one of my questions was when and how I could buy a 120V one. They didn't have too much information about who would be selling them or how I could get one, but it sounds like those details aren't worked out yet.

 

[countryguy]

I love the look of the gold model as well. I've never tried the ET-1 powerhead but I'd be interested to see how it compares to the one on the Lux Guardian. I like the look of the cloth hose - it also appears to have the regular style grip which I prefer over the gas pump handle style. If you click on 'Vacuum Cleaners' at the top of the page and then select 'Excellence-SE400' you will see more pics and description.

Gary

http://www.sauber.com.au/vacuum-cleaners/excellence-se-400-vacuum-cleaner/#.VPRjefDLIs0

 

[funeraldirector]

Sauber and Aerus

Hi Gary and Everyone,

The ET-1 Sebo nozzle is a significantly better nozzle than the Lux Omni-Flo both in performance and overall quality. Like comparing Dan's Mercedes with a Chevy Cavalier. With the performance of the Intelligence and the smaller size of the nozzle it will be a much better, more modern setup. A definite upgrade. Try this: purchase an L.L. Bean Mudhog door mat and track sand in on it for a couple weeks, vacuum the left side with the Platinum and the right with a Sebo D4 with an ET-1 and you will see the difference in nozzle performance first hand. The Omni-Flo bristles are too short for the MudHog. Also the nozzle is more "self propelled" and easier to manage with the suction of the Intelligence/Platinum on high.

As for Aerus, I had this conversation with the company president in 2012 to introduce the EXACT lineup Sauber is bringing to the USA and retire the Classic and Legacy. Make all three units here, faux braided hose, telescoping wands, Wessel Werk PB1 and PL1, along with Sebo ET-1 nozzle options, SwissAroma scents, Powerprof commercial canister, steamer and the list goes on. Just like talking to the wall! Now the entire line they should have been selling/manufacturing in Bristol is going in vac shops for little more than the Lux Classic sells for. It will be interesting to see them un-paint themselves from this screw up. Such a simple deal that would have been good for everyone. A simple Marketing 101 class would have prevented this mess.

My guess is Lux International (now allied with Forbes of India aka Forbes-Lux) is dissatisfied with the small number of machines making its way to the North American market. They are looking to double their revenue in the next couple years. Aerus is not going to help them much. I am thrilled not only because I told them so (we discussed a stainless vacuum for more than ten years with their chief engineer before the Platinum was introduced), but because the machine the Platinum should have been is finally coming to the USA with even more choices.

Brian

 

[pr-21]

Swiss Air Scent Chamber.....

I hope you are right. Aerus customer service people are rude. I tried shortly after getting my Lux Guardian Platinum to get the Swiss Air scents for the machine. First they told me it was too new and they didn't have them yet. I called Aerus every few months and was finally told they were not going to carry them. I told them this was one of the reason's I bought this, they could of cared less.......My Lux Platinum is in a storage box in my attached garage.

In my opinion and this is not just sour grapes. I have loved Electrolux since the Marquis (my first canister Electrolux). When they sold there name for an influx of cash, it started their downfall. I cannot believe they are doing another name change......No wonder people go into retail stores and see the Electrolux name and think it is the Electrolux of old. When that sweeper tears up or fails, they probably think..."they don't make them like they used" to and will not buy another Electrolux.



Sincerely,

Bud Mattingly
PR-21

By the way, I at least have my Commemorative Edition to use, which I did just yesterday. I also have an Aerus Lux 7000 and an Aerus Lux 3000. Unfortunately these will probably be my last......