Why is it taking Kirby so long

VacuumLand – Vintage & Modern Vacuum Enthusiasts

Help Support VacuumLand:

kirbyg6

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 4, 2012
Messages
317
Location
York
Why is taking them so long to launch a new model I know they usually bring one out every three years or so but it’s been nearly 5 years or over to bring one out I know the sentria had a long run but usually when they bring out a second version of the same model it takes them a year or two before the next one comes out I know people get annoyed when this gets asked but surely they must have a new out soon
 
good question

I like to know the answer myself. I do think that society is way overdue for a new model. I think several factors play into why they haven't release a new model. The first being the covid pandemic and most people being either out of work or not allowing people, such as in home sales people, into their homes and sell them an home cleaning system that is almost 2k, well now its well over 2k. The next thing is the sale of the scott fetzer company selling kirby off to right lane industies, who from what I heard doesn't focus on inavations and improvements. The 3rd reason why they haven't launched a new system is because of inflation and the cost of everything rising. In fact the cost of the avalir 2 and the various package offers on kirby's site have gone up too. Which if their gonna increase the cost of the system they should strongly consider coming out with a new one.

I also think maybe they'll wait till next year, 2024, which is the 90th anniversary of when kirby's name started to appear on his machines. Lets keep in mind that the kirby name and whats considered the first generation began in 1935 and went till 1970. So maybe thats when they plan to launch a new kirby, let alone a new platform. In a way it makes since because by then itll be 6 years of the avalir 2, which would be kirby's second longest running system besides the original sentria, which also ran for 6 years.

Maybe kirby just doesn't have anything and the avalir 2 is gonna be the last of kirby's till the end of time, which is probably not the case. Another thing is maybe they've been prototyping so many different designs that would work for the modern day consumer. Like me personally having grown up with the g-series wouldn't want to have it as an adult. I say this because I have solely flooring in my home and using any kirby, reguardly of what year its from or whatever generation it is, isn't ideal to use on hard surface floors. I say that because the kirby is loud and unbareable to use on hard surface floors. So I hope they've worked on the acoustics of the machine. Another issue with kirby is the weight and the bulkiness when using various cleaning modes. The shampoo system isn't ideal and its to bulky to use and it doesn't extract the stain completely out. The zipbrush is a joke of a tool because you still have to clean it when using it.

I just hope something happens soon because we've had the same system for over 5.5 year with the same face plate for 17 years (reference too looking like a sentria) on a platform that weve had for almost 34 years.
 
I

Know what's happening. There trying to figure a color scheme. There probably trying to make parts interchangeable with the avalirs.
Avalir 3 ultimate or legacy aka avalir 3.0
 
Avalir 2 wasn't even a real color scheme changed. All they really did was switch out the red accents with blue and went from a black outter handle to a blue one and also went from the chrome style belt lifter that theyve been using since 2006 to a black plastic version that they've used before. They didn't even change the pattern scheme on avalir 2.

I kind of also believe with the lack of pattern and color scheme changes done to avalir 2 that maybe they intended it to be a short run system till they launch something with a new pattern and color scheme. Maybe the next pattern and color scheme was saved for something better. I just hope the next system is a something that will be worth it. I do hope kirby is working on addressing our concerns and issues with its current platform.

I also wanna know when and how they'll launch this new system and what marketing strategies they'll use to promote it. How did they promote and announce the G3 back in 1990? One thing I do hope they bring back is the dvd video owners manual, but just post it on youtube. I mean these short video clips posted on youtube are a joke. They don't neccessarily demonstrate the system being used in a home setting.
 
There

Is a YouTuber kirby enthusiast who does every type of video you can think of for kirbys'.
I'd like a different kirby but very highly unlikely.
With the new ownership trying to force out avalir 2's means they're trying to liquidate inventory and have cash to do something. Having a bypass motor on a kirby with a hose built in instead of disassembling the vacuum would be nice.
They could even go high end Bagless and have a dump bin instead of a bag. Idk I'd do the dump bin idea but change would be good.
 
If Kirby goes bagless---COUNT ME OUT-WON'T BUY!!!!!!It would be sad if Kirby joins the other bagless dreck out there.STICK WITH THE DISPOSABLE BAGS,PLEASE!Bypass is less efficient-and the non bypass Kirbys do the job with HALF the power draw compared to a bypass design.It would seem that Right Lane Industries wants the Kirby to die.Oh yes I HATE hose on board machines--too clunky and awkward,and makes the vacuum even heavier!If this was done you will need your tractor to push-pull it and your forklift to pick the machine up!
 
Hey

Maybe not a bypass but hose maybe something to slide over motor shaft and connect on a port on the nozzle or something. I know kirbys hose is amazing but disassembling the vacuum to use the hose is a major turn off. Switch attach done would be ideal.
Maybe an even more efficient brushless motor.
 
I hope they aren’t working on a avalir 3 but making something that is more user friendly more convenient and less noisy
 
I just reached out to the Consumer Relations Manager at Kirby. Right now there isn't a new model planned to be released anytime soon. The design and engineering team are still working to develop a Kirby that's supposed to be proven overall better than it's predecessor. Also, Kirby had been busy completing the transition ever since Scott & Fetzer sold them off. And they've been mostly focusing on their marketing. Kirby did a one point create a whole new design that was going to replace the Sentria but it got much more complicated as they couldn't get it working right and it supposedly wasn't as good or better than the Sentria.
 
I seriously doubt Kirby is going bagless! The VCCC visited Kirby in 2014. One of the higher up employees told the club that Kirby would not come out with a newer model that scarifies cleaning ability. He also said that customers expect performance and a certain sound out of their machines (think of a higher end car).

With that being said. I do not foresee Kirby coming out with a bypass upright unless it outperforms the current model.

The truth is nobody except Kirby knows. For years (and I mean years) I've seen postings on here from other collectors who claim to know inside information. Most of the time these individuals are wrong! And post for attention (my guess) misleading others into believing them (again for attention).

Kirby keeps their new models heavily guarded. In 2008, I believe this was the big Hoover convention in Ohio (before my time) another group went to Kirby and one of our members recorded video from Kirby's testing department and leaked it (prototypes for the hard floor washer). This did not go over well. In 2014 we literally had two Kirby employees follow us in every line to make sure that we were not taking pictures or video. I imagine Kirby is stricter now than they were then. When I read that someone on this site has information on a new model. I take it with a grain of salt.
 
It’s a shame Kirby doesn’t show any prototypes being made or testing videos I know they showed it in the G3 story but that’s all that’s why I like Dyson because they actually show you the process I just wish Kirby was like that
 
Kenny is correct

When we all visited Kirby the last time, they stood on the sidewalk until the last VCCC car left the property.   They were also reluctant to host us initially,  but, it was because someone contacted them, badmouthing us as a whole.  It didn't work, however.  They were very gracious to us, including providing lunch at the "Kirby Kafe".
 
I'm sure kirby will probably launch something new someday and I'm sure they're well aware of the issues that consumers want adressed. I'm just curious to when they will launch a new system / platform and how long the research and development went into it. They've milked the sentria/avalir systems for way to long.
 
I'd have to agree that I would have no interest whatsoever in a bagless Kirby with a built-in hose. The appeal to a Kirby for me is the things are built the way stuff used to be built; that is, out of metal with high quality craftsmanship and attention to detail. They're not meant to be used for a couple of years and left at the curb as landfill fodder; they're meant to last for decades, which is both a blessing and a curse for Kirby, as their biggest competition is themselves in the second-hand market. Kirbys in decent shape show up in thrift stores around here fairly regularly for $20-$30 without accessories and closer to $50 with a full set of accessories. Why would anybody in their right mind pay 40 times that much for the latest color scheme? I'm sure Right Lane is still figuring out their business model for Kirby, a model that hopefully no longer includes door-to-door sales thugs.
 
The

Shut off airflow to nozzle and have a hose port on top of the nozzle would be an option for a quick connect hose.
They should make a few versions. The high end would be a version similar to current version maybe lose the transmission.
Then they could make a cannister/backpack version. The backpack/cannister could make it a clean air machine backpack/cannister would be ideal for the commercial market.
Then a basic vacuum similar to the old 13" nozzle kirbys. If they could get a 7 amp motor vacuum under 15 lbs would put supralites/ orecks and other lightweight vacuums on notice.
Then a battery powered vacuum similar to 15 pound version but no cord.
Then d2d sales and sell them in vacuum shops or Costcos.
This is a dream because 4 different versions of vacuums coming from a company that has had 2 (janitronic/American Lincoln) at one time. They basically have 1 model and that's it.
 
I would have no desire or interest in a "backpack" Kirby-HORRIBLE!!!Better to have canisters that stay on the floor.Does Kirby still own the Douglas line of canisters-they could market a cleaning team.The canister for bare floor and above floor work.The upright for carpets.Most homes have both.The smaller areas in a home make a backpack VERY awkward.Too many "bump into tragedies!"
 
Every so many months there's a rumor of a new Kirby model and everybody's speculates all sorts of nonsense.

We all know they're just going to change the color again and maybe a couple other cosmetic changes and leave it at that.

Why is it taking so long ? Well they just got new ownership recently, I'm sure they're still sorting that out internally.
 
I doubt kirby will come out with a couple of different models at the same time. They, like a lot of other high end companies, will come out with one model that will be the main focus in terms of selling, untill they come out with something new. Its like what rexair did with transitioning from the e2 black to srx. They had the E2 Black for about 8 years and then announce the SRX, but they continued to sell the e2 black to clear out the inventory of e2 blacks that way they can make room for the SRX inventory. I just hope whatever kirby is working on will be worth the wait, because sentria 4 (avalir 2) is just over kill at this point. I also do hope when they launch a new system/ platform, that they innovate their optional accessories and standard attachments, because some of them are quite gimmicky. I say that because when they launch the multi-surface shampoo system, I thought to myself I'm still going to need a mop to get into hard to reach areas and also the machine is still wide and bulky and most importantly, loud and unbareable, espescially on hard surface floors.
 
Woa

It's to spark interest.
A backpack kirby would be amazing. Have you seen how many proteam commercial vacuums are out there. I was aiming for open minded commercial customers.
Toluvac maybe get you a newer kirby and spray paint it. It will have everything you love and you can even name it.
 

Latest posts

Back
Top