GREE(SZ:000651) Zhong Guo Zheng Quan Bao·2026-01-05 04:12Core Viewpoint - Gree Electric Appliances has committed to not raising prices for its home air conditioners in response to the national subsidy policy for home appliances by 2026, while also stating that it currently has no plans to adopt the "aluminum instead of copper" strategy due to quality and technical standards concerns [1][3]. Group 1: Company Response - Gree Electric Appliances announced through its official WeChat account that it will not increase the prices of its home air conditioners, aligning with the national subsidy policy for home appliances [1]. - The company emphasized that it has no current plans to implement the "aluminum instead of copper" strategy, as it aims to meet the ten-year free warranty service standard for its home air conditioners [1]. - Gree stated that any future application of aluminum materials will be clearly marked only if they meet the company's quality and technical standards [1]. Group 2: Industry Developments - The home appliance industry has been exploring the "aluminum instead of copper" process to reduce costs due to soaring copper prices since 2025 [1]. - The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and ten other departments issued a plan in March 2025 to enhance the high-end supply level of aluminum products and expand their application in various sectors, including automotive and home appliances [1]. - The China Refrigeration Society released a group standard for the construction of aluminum tube fin heat exchanger production lines for room air conditioners, which will accelerate the transition to aluminum technology [2]. Group 3: Industry Discrepancies - Despite the emergence of relevant standards, there are still disagreements within the industry regarding the adoption of aluminum heat exchangers [3]. - Leading air conditioning companies, including Midea, Xiaomi, TCL, and Haier, initiated a self-regulation agreement to promote the characteristics of aluminum heat exchangers and enhance consumer trust in industry products and technologies [3]. - Gree Electric Appliances has maintained a cautious stance on the aluminum substitution process, citing significant differences in parameters such as melting point, thermal conductivity, resistivity, and corrosion resistance compared to copper [3].