GREE(SZ:000651) Sou Hu Cai Jing·2026-01-05 07:45Group 1 - The core material for air conditioners, copper, has recently seen a price surge, reaching nearly 100,000 yuan per ton, raising concerns about potential air conditioner price increases [1] - Gree Electric Appliances has committed to not raising prices for its household air conditioners and has no current plans to adopt "aluminum instead of copper" technology [1] - Gree is actively responding to the national subsidy policy for home appliances by ensuring consumer benefits and maintaining a ten-year free repair service standard [1] Group 2 - China is a "rich in aluminum but poor in copper" country, relying on imports for about 80% of its copper, while producing 60% of the world's electrolytic aluminum [2] - The air conditioning industry is focusing on the "aluminum instead of copper" initiative, but there are technical challenges and disagreements regarding the physical advantages of copper in terms of thermal conductivity, corrosion resistance, and long-term reliability [2] - Complaints about air conditioners increased by 22% year-on-year in the first half of 2025, with issues like "cooling decline" and "pipeline leakage" often associated with "aluminum instead of copper" models [2] Group 3 - Gree's chairman stated that while aluminum can potentially replace copper, the current technology does not meet the same standards, and the company will continue to research until aluminum can fully substitute copper [4] - The China Household Electrical Appliances Association indicated that "aluminum instead of copper" is not inherently negative, but quality must not be compromised, and consumer rights must be respected [4]