The original KitchenAid mixers were manufactured by the consumer division of Hobart.In 1986, Hobart decided to concentrate on the professional market, and sold off their consumer division, KitchenAid, to Whirlpool. Since then it has been one problem after another with several of the models.They maintain the visual appearance because of the reputation,but cheapen the insides with plastic gears that fail regularly.If you can find one, buy a used KitchenAid/Hobart machine.On the nameplate it will say "KitchenAid by Hobart".Those are the machines that last forever. If it doesn't say HOBART,don't spend your $$$.