NEWTON, Iowa, Dec. 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- With the average American home size increasing 137 percent since 1950 (1), Hoover estimates that the average American now pushes a vacuum the equivalent of more than 18 miles a year(2). To help cover that mileage, the company is introducing the Hoover(R) Z(TM) Bagless Upright Vacuum, the world's first sports utility vacuum designed to seamlessly conquer any surface. The Hoover Z Bagless Upright is a first- of-its-kind cleaner that comes fully loaded for an entirely new performance in the floor-care category.

Consumers' cleaning needs have changed due to the growing trend of multiple floor surfaces within the home. In fact, according to a new survey commissioned by Hoover and conducted by Harris Interactive(R)(3), 56 percent of U.S. adults clean four or more different types of "terrains," or floor surfaces, in their home. One in two U.S. adults (50%) cited vacuums among the household appliances they could not live without. Today's home requires a single vacuum that can adjust to different carpet levels and transition from hard to delicate surfaces, both on and above the floor. The features of the Hoover Z bagless upright address major concerns voiced by vacuum users including: the starting and stopping motion of the cleaning process as users switch between tools and modes, the need for efficient cleaning across multiple surfaces and heights, and the maintenance associated with cleaning and replacing the main filter. The Hoover Z bagless upright focuses on all aspects of vacuuming from set up and start to use and storage and is designed to provide a truly satisfying cleaning experience.

"This new addition answers the call of consumers looking for seamless cleaning without interruption," said Dave Baker, vice president and general manager, Hoover. "The Hoover Z bagless upright allows users to move from cleaning hard floors to carpet, and then vacuum draperies and extend to the top of a flight of stairs, all without the need to switch to different vacuums or stop the cleaning process. The Hoover Z bagless upright makes cleaning easy as it does most of the bending, stooping, stretching and twisting for you."

Features of the new vacuum include a DigiTouch(TM) control pad allowing for a seamless, automatic adjustment between surfaces and settings without the need to bend over the vacuum, and a patent-pending self-cleaning HEPA filter that automatically cleans itself every six seconds and never needs replacing to maintain a high level of cleaning. Its super-stretch hose extends 20 feet for convenient above the floor cleaning of curtains, drapes, molding and tops of stairs. The patent-pending collapsible Z-Fold(TM) design offers the performance and convenience of an upright with the flexibility and stability of a canister in one vacuum.

The new, flagship product of the Hoover line of high-performance cleaning appliances is available in two models, the Hoover Z 700 ($499) and Hoover Z 400 ($399). The Hoover Z 700 comes with additional features including lifetime LED headlights, an extra 16-inch cleaning wand, gentle brush setting, additional attachments and a pet hair cleaning tool.

"There is a growing trend in the United States that more consumers are investing a greater amount of time and resources to improving their homes," continued Baker. "Satisfaction of a clean house is paramount. If you take great pride in your home, you'll do whatever it takes to make sure it's clean when you're hosting guests or just spending quality time with your family."

The new Hoover Z bagless upright will be available nationwide at Sears(R) in December and features the Hoover Unconditional Product Guarantee. Both the Z 400 and Z 700 come standard with the following features:

-- Patent-Pending Self-Cleaning HEPA Filter: The self-cleaning HEPA
filter cleans itself every six seconds, which helps maintain a high
level of cleaning and eliminates the need for users to ever have to
touch or replace the filter.*

-- Patent-Pending Z-Fold(TM) Design: The design combines the performance
and convenience of an upright with the flexibility and stability of a
canister.

-- DigiTouch(TM) Control Pad: Fingertip controls allow seamless
adjustment between height and surface settings such as hard floor
surfaces, plush carpet and delicate surfaces without the need for
bending over or stopping the vacuum.

-- Diagnostic Indicators: In the event of a problem, visual alerts
indicate where the trouble is on the unit so adjustments can be made
easily.

-- Virtually Maintenance-Free Design: With the virtually maintenance-free
design, you'll never replace belts, bulbs, bags or the main filter.

-- Extra-Long Power Cord: Ample length power cord (31 feet on Z 400,
35 feet on Z 700) lets you vacuum several rooms without having to
reposition the plug.

-- Telescoping Quick-Release Wand and Super-Stretch Hose: Telescoping
wand and integrated super-stretch hose releases with one easy touch to
allow for above-floor cleaning. Super-stretch hose extends 20 feet so
you can clean stairs from bottom to top. The self-retracting hose
swivels 360 degrees at the handle grip and is positioned in the front
so you can go after dirt without kinking the hose or toppling the
vacuum.

-- Low-Profile Design with 15-inch Nozzle: Low-profile hood features a
wide footprint that allows the Hoover Z bagless upright to reach under
low-to-the-ground furniture with ease. Unique motor placement allows
the Hoover Z bagless upright to "lay down" in upright mode to clean
underneath beds so you don't have to rearrange furniture to clean
thoroughly. Nearly two in three U.S. adults who vacuum (63%) have
some complaint about their current vacuum, most commonly that it does
not clean under low furniture (33%).

-- Bagless Design: Integrated dirt cup eliminates the need to replace or
change bags after cleaning.

* Under normal household conditions.

Additional features on the Z 700 include:

-- Lifetime LED Headlights: Six LED lights are positioned on the Hoover Z
bagless upright to illuminate under furniture and dark corners in the
home and will never need replacing.

-- Wand and Brush Attachments: Additional 16-inch wand and 14-inch brush
extensions provide additional reach to clean in tight places.

-- Gentle Brush Setting: Lets you vacuum special surfaces -- like rugs
and draperies -- without stopping or bending down to reset the vacuum.

-- Pet Hair Cleaning Tool: Attachment features powerful suction and
rotating brushes for the removal of pet hair and dirt from stairs and
upholstery. Features an antimicrobial coating to prevent the growth
of bacteria and mold on the brush rolls.

About Hoover

As the leader in the floor-care industry, Hoover manufactures cutting edge, high-performance vacuum cleaners for home and commercial settings. Since 1908, consumers and businesses have trusted Hoover to provide reliable, innovative cleaning solutions. Hoover offers a comprehensive line of products for general and special-purpose vacuuming, including full-size uprights and canisters, deep cleaners, and hard-floor cleaners. Hoover is part of the complete collection of brands offered by Maytag Corporation, a leading producer of home and commercial products. The corporation's principal brands include Maytag(R), Hoover(R), Jenn-Air(R), Amana(R), Dixie-Narco(R) and Jade(R). Consumers looking for more information can visit http://www.hoover.com/ or call 800-944-9200.

EDITORS' NOTE: For images please contact Christine Montemurro at 212-613-4934, CMontemurro@painepr.com or visit http://www.press.hoover.com/.

(1) According to the National Association of Home Builders.

(2) Based on vacuuming a 2330 square foot home once a week with a vacuum
cleaner having a 15" wide nozzle.

(3) Survey Methodology -- Harris Interactive(R) fielded the online survey
on behalf of Hoover between November 16 and 18, 2005 among a
nationwide sample of 2,043 U.S. adults ages 18 and older, of whom
1,945 vacuum. The data were weighted to be representative of the
total U.S. adult population on the basis of region, age within
gender, education, household income, race/ethnicity and propensity to
be online. In theory, with probability samples of this size, one
could say with 95 percent certainty that the overall results have a
sampling error of +/- 3.6 percentage points. Sampling error for the
sub-sample of U.S. adults who vacuum is +/- 3.7 percentage points.

CONTACTS:

Jill Spiekerman
Hoover
(641) 787-6886
jspiek@maytag.com

Danielle Kowalski
PainePR
(212) 613-4912
dkowalski@painepr.com