This is the correct reason. Every single large chain has their own specific model number for an appliance. Then they can loudly advertise how their "KJVADSF123AAFBB" washer is the cheapest ever and they'll price match if someone sells it for cheaper.
...but they're the only ones selling that exact model.
I think it’s because they have so many variants for an appliance that it would be impossible to come up with English names (see ikea and their ridiculous names you can’t remember or infer anything from)
At least the number of bits of info you can encore with the appliance VIN like scheme is meaningful.
I'm willing to bet that General Motors has no fewer variants of the Chevrolet Camaro that you can buy: with three different engine choices, two or three different transmission choices, with or without A/C, power steering, seat material, exteriour colour, stripes and badging package, interior colour, radio options, suspension packages, etc etc etc.
It's still all sold as a Chevrolet Camaro and the vast majority of parts are shared - they all use e.g. the same glass, ventilation plastic, ignition switch, etc. When you do need something option specific, such as spark plugs, you do identify your vehicle by VIN.
From my experience fixing appliances, the things that break (button mounting plates, the plastic door frame, that horrible hose coming down from the pump on otherwise excellent Bosch models) is very very commonly shared across models that look the same on the outside.
Maybe it’s like the mattress industry: a scam so that you can’t compare or price match the same model at different retails because “it’s not the same model number”.
Not sure that is a good analogy. Sure, the VIN lets you deduce the general make and model of the car, but there should be zero information about any optional things encoded - but of course they have a different list of "oh, it's a Camaro, so the entertainment system can only be a A, B, or C"
