*The design isn't conducive to an HE platform. They tried to up the water efficiency toward the end of production by engineering an automatic water level sensor (which defaulted to a full fill if the user opened the lid during the sensing process). Some models without the auto-sensor had a second hidden pressure sensor that limited the agitated rinse to a specific lower level regardless of the selected load size for the wash level.

Production cost of the cast steel transmission is higher than the simpler VMW design.

The molds for casting transmission parts are aged. Servicers have been complaining that replacement/rebuilt transmissions are noisy and sometimes unreliable.

Probably other reasons.

*The whole water level issue has gotten weird IMO. Some current toploader models (both from WP and other brands) have eliminated a water level control and offer only two fixed levels ... default fill being approx 1/2 (no lower level is available), and a Deep Wash or Deep Fill option for maximum fill.

I have five DDs. 1991 KitchenAid, 1999 Kenmore, 2002 Whirlpool, 2003 Whirlpool, 2006 Kenmore.

Dadoes, as always I really appreciate the detailed information you provide on here. Your contribution is always helpful. Thank you so much.

And yes I totally agree with you, I think it makes much more sense to have a standard 3-4 level load size selector for the water. I just wish that manufacturers can just simply leave good enough alone! There is always room to improve and innovate when necessary but everything doesn't always need to be improve for the sake of "progress" smh.