
Core Viewpoint - Gree's frequent renaming of its service account has sparked industry attention, raising questions about the company's branding strategy and its deep association with its CEO, Dong Mingzhu [2][4][5]. Group 1: Renaming Events - Gree's service account was renamed from "Dong Mingzhu Health Home" to "Gree Good Product Guide" on August 13, 2024, and then reverted back to "Dong Mingzhu Health Home" just one day later [2]. - The service account has undergone multiple name changes since 2024, originally starting as "Gree Electric" and later evolving to "Gree Dong Mingzhu Store" to strengthen the personal brand of Dong Mingzhu [2][4]. Group 2: Market Position and Strategy - Gree's air conditioning business remains dominant, accounting for approximately 70-75% of its revenue, while other home appliance categories contribute minimally [4][10]. - The company aims to shift market perception from being solely an air conditioning brand to a broader home appliance brand, leveraging Dong Mingzhu's personal brand for marketing [4][5]. Group 3: Financial Performance and Competition - Gree's revenue has declined by 10 billion yuan from 2018 to 2024, while competitors like Midea and Haier have seen significant growth [11]. - In 2024, Gree's revenue was 190 billion yuan, a decrease of 7.31%, while Midea's revenue was 409.1 billion yuan, reflecting a growth of 9.47% [12]. - Gree's R&D expenditure in 2024 was 6.9 billion yuan, significantly lower than Midea's 16.2 billion yuan and Haier's 10.7 billion yuan, indicating a potential risk in maintaining technological competitiveness [11][12]. Group 4: Leadership and Succession - Dong Mingzhu has indicated that she has identified several potential successors, but the actual transition remains uncertain [6][9]. - Despite stepping down as president, Dong Mingzhu retains significant control over Gree through major shareholders and continues to influence strategic decisions [9][10]. Group 5: Market Challenges - Gree faces increasing competition from brands like Xiaomi, which has captured a market share of 13.7% in air conditioning, growing by 53.9% year-on-year [10]. - The company's overseas revenue in 2024 was 28.2 billion yuan, significantly lagging behind Midea's 169 billion yuan, highlighting Gree's challenges in expanding its international presence [13].