第一财经·2025-07-02 12:23Core Viewpoint - The extreme heat in Europe has significantly boosted air conditioning sales, with major Chinese companies like Gree, TCL, and Haier experiencing substantial growth in the region due to increased demand driven by high temperatures [1][3][4]. Group 1: Market Demand and Sales Growth - European countries, particularly Spain, France, Italy, and Germany, have reported temperatures exceeding 40°C, leading to a noticeable decrease in air conditioning inventory [1]. - Haier's air conditioning sales in Europe have seen a year-on-year increase of approximately 30% in 2023, with strong performance in Italy and Spain [3]. - From January to May 2025, China's total air conditioning exports reached 49.25 million units, marking an 11.3% year-on-year growth [3]. Group 2: Strategic Responses and Opportunities - Gree Electric plans to consider localized production and operations in Europe to enhance its brand influence in response to changing trade policies [2]. - The demand for air conditioning varies across different regions in Europe, with Southern and Eastern Europe showing strong demand for split air conditioning units due to their hot climate [3]. - The shift towards environmentally friendly refrigerants in Europe has created opportunities for Chinese companies, as older air conditioning units need to be replaced [3]. Group 3: Competitive Landscape and Future Outlook - The European market has high energy efficiency requirements, necessitating that leading Chinese companies like Midea and Haier transition from price competition to value competition [4][5]. - The potential for Chinese air conditioning exports remains significant, with China accounting for nearly 80% of global air conditioning production capacity [3].