Zhi Tong Cai Jing·2025-08-18 07:40Group 1 - The core viewpoint of the report is that the air conditioning industry is rated as "outperforming the market" due to the sustained scale advantages and integration barriers of leading companies, even amidst weakening demand and limited necessity for price wars [1] - The leading air conditioning manufacturers have a domestic sales revenue that is 3-4 times that of the second tier and 6-10 times that of the third tier, indicating a significant scale advantage [1] - The air conditioning industry is characterized by a fully integrated supply chain, from core components to branding, making it difficult for new entrants to compete with established players [1] Group 2 - Historical data shows that price has been the main competitive tool in the absence of generational product innovations, with three notable periods of weak pricing in the last two decades [2] - The last price decline was primarily driven by proactive competition due to channel changes, with inventory levels having an indirect impact [2] - The relationship between market prosperity and concentration is often negatively correlated, with cost playing a crucial role in industry evolution [2] Group 3 - The manufacturing efficiency of leading companies like Changhong Meiling and Xiaomi relies heavily on scale, with limited room for further cost reduction in terminal pricing [3] - The majority of costs in the air conditioning industry come from raw materials, which can be managed through bulk purchasing and in-house component production, both of which favor larger players [3] Group 4 - The pricing flexibility for major participants in the air conditioning market is becoming increasingly limited, with a calculated "floor price" for a typical model being around 1900 yuan [4] - Brand manufacturers typically have a gross margin of 20%-25%, which constrains their ability to engage in aggressive price competition [4] Group 5 - The necessity for price wars among leading companies is low, as such strategies may lead to diminishing returns without favorable market conditions [5] - Even with the addition of revenue from competitors like Xiaomi and Aux, the overall revenue increase for leading brands like Gree and Midea remains modest, indicating limited impact from price competition [5]