[Eric in the Ozarks]

You've told most of the end story of Maytag of Newton, IA.
Maytag made sturdy washers and dryers for decades until their “research” department went after the threat posed by Korean imports. They created a knock-off that didn't work and resulted in complaints, lawsuits and even recalls.
Then they hired a president who didn't want to live in a mostly rural part of the country and had to be chauffeured every morning from his home in Des Moines.
There were other issues that contributed to killing off Maytag, including an unsympathetic union and an executive arrogance (WE...are MAYTAG!)
Today the Maytag name is just another brand and the plant and jobs in Newton are gone.
I was a supplier to Maytag for many years and saw this happen...

[Lurkinanloomin]

Yep, Maytag made quality washers for years and like most manufacturers went down the road of cost takeout that cheapened the product to the point of making them junk.
Maytag is now just a label owned by Whirlpool.
Labels mean nothing anymore.