Redesigned Weber Q grills....why?

[Iraqvet05]

If you are in the market for a Weber grill, you may want to pick up the older models before they run out.

I've been leaning toward the Weber Q 220 and found that Weber recently "redesigned" their Q series and raised the price on the grills. For example, the Q 220 is being replaced by the Q 2200. From Weber’s site “The grill has the same great performance and sleek styling, but adds new aesthetics that are both functional and fun, including larger grip handle and control knobs, ergonomic side handles, sturdy front and rear cradles, larger-sized fold-out side tables with greater rigidity plus the familiar Weber Q logo prominently branded in the lid.”

To me, an aesthetic change and minor structural strengthening shouldn’t add 25% to the cost of the current model and the ergonomics hype can be thrown out the window since you don’t use the side handles repetitively for hours on end. The Q 220’s average retail is $199 and the 2200’s price is $249….to me that’s a significant cost increase to a grill that didn’t probably need a redesign to begin with (based on reviews here and elsewhere).

[muelldawg]

Good report