Calvin (
334...@gmail.com) writes:
>> 8 A manufacturer of kitchen and laundry appliances, Asko is based in
which European country?
>
> Sweden
>
Nope.
As people started to answer Sweden, I got a little curious and did some
research. Once having found the answer I said to myself "no one will get
this right, not even the quiz master".
The correct answer is Slovenia.
Indeed Asko, has a Swedish origin. On
http://www.asko.se/om-asko/historik
I learnt that the first washing machine from Asko was produced in 1950 in
Vara, which is in Sweden. 1952 they produced their first refrigerator in
Lathi, which is in Finland, the answer given by me and one more entrant.
In 2000, ASKO was acquired by Antonio Merloni, which sounds like an Italian
name.
In 2010, ASKO was acquired by Gorenje Group, which is a Slovenian company.
And in 2013, the production of washing and laundry appliances were moved
from Sweden to Slovenia. Whether there still is any production in Sweden
or Finland, I don't know.
There is still a company ASKO Applicance AB, and according to
http://www.allabolag.se/5565779054/asko-appliances-ab they are based in
Lidköping, which is not too far from Vara. However, the managing director
has a name which appears to be Slovenian. To confuse matters more, the
owning company is said to be Gorenje Nederland BV.
Had the question been were Asko originates from, Sweden would be the
only reasonable answer. But now the question is where they are based,
and this case I would suggest that Finland and Sweden are on equal
level. That is, either Slovenia is the only correct answer, but if
Calvin wants to approve Sweden, Finland should be scored correct too.
Now you may ask, why I answered Finland and not Sweden. The truth is
that was just a quick guess. You see, Asko is not a particularly well-
known brand in Sweden. Their consumer products goes under the brand
Cylinda (from a company ASKO bought in 1988. The ASKO brand is more
used for appliances sold to industrial and other commercial customers.
For instance, I recall now that when we last year bought some new
washing machines to the laundry room in our block of flats, we were
offered prices for some ASKO machines. (But we eventually went with
Electrolux.)