GREE(SZ:000651) Mei Ri Jing Ji Xin Wen·2026-01-06 12:17Core Viewpoint - Gree Electric Appliances announced on January 5 that it will not raise prices for home air conditioners, despite rising copper prices and other brands announcing price increases, aiming to benefit consumers and support the national subsidy policy for home appliances in 2026 [1][3]. Group 1: Gree's Pricing Strategy - Gree's Chief Marketing Officer, Zhu Lei, emphasized that the decision to keep prices stable is to ensure consumers benefit from subsidies, avoiding price hikes that would dilute the subsidy effect [1][3]. - Gree's commitment to not adopting "aluminum instead of copper" is also aimed at maintaining quality and fulfilling its promise of a "10-year free warranty" [1][3]. - The company believes that maintaining prices during the subsidy period will stimulate consumption and is confident in its ability to manage cost pressures through efficient production and technology optimization [3][8]. Group 2: Industry Pricing Trends - Several air conditioning brands, including Meibo, Midea, and Chigo, have announced price increases due to rising raw material costs, particularly copper [2][5]. - The average price of air conditioners in both online and offline markets has been declining, with offline prices dropping by 4.01% and online prices by 1.24% in the first eleven months of 2025 [4]. - The cost of materials for a typical 1.5-horsepower air conditioner is estimated to be between 1,000 to 1,200 yuan, with copper costs accounting for 200 to 400 yuan, indicating that the recent copper price increase has a direct impact on overall air conditioner pricing [5]. Group 3: Market Dynamics and Consumer Impact - Gree's decision not to raise prices is seen as a strategic move to enhance brand value and attract more consumers in a price-sensitive market [5][8]. - The air conditioning market is currently in a phase of stock competition, where price increases may not be sustainable unless there is consumer acceptance [5][8]. - The market for aluminum tube air conditioners remains niche, and Gree has no plans to shift to this alternative, prioritizing quality and consumer experience [7][8].