My brother has the green version, they are awesome basic vacuums. Even my work sold these as the best vacuums for under $100.
U-6 bags has a tab on the cardboard that seals the collar when you dump the bag. U-12 bags has the same cardboard that the Kenmore U bags uses which is designed to make it easier to pull out. Otherwise the collar and filtration is the same.
The Jet-Flo name was retired in favor of the "Performance Plus" name for promotional advertisement sales and they were more powerful than their predecessor Jet Flos. Although there were some other Panasonics that never had a secondary name on them.
Panasonic never really had all of their vacuums made in Mexico after they moved from Kentucky, even the Panasonic branded Sanyo vacuums were also made in China as well.
As long as Kenmore produces uprights that uses type U/O bags, I doubt they would go away anytime soon.
