Group 1 - The core point of the article is that a collective price increase in the air conditioning industry is occurring due to rising costs of raw materials, with price hikes ranging from 3% to 10% across various brands [2][23][12] - Companies such as MEKER and iCongo announced a price increase of 5% starting January 1, 2026, followed by other brands like TCL and AUX, which also implemented price adjustments shortly thereafter [3][5][27] - The price adjustments are a response to the significant rise in the costs of key raw materials, including copper, aluminum, and refrigerants, which have seen substantial price increases since late 2024 [12][33][36] Group 2 - The increase in raw material costs is attributed to various factors, including a more than 30% rise in copper prices in 2025, which has led to higher manufacturing costs for essential components like compressors and piping [12][33][36] - Aluminum prices are also elevated due to tight global supply and increased production costs from stricter environmental standards, further exacerbating manufacturing cost pressures [36][38] - The shift in pricing strategy is seen as a necessary adjustment for the industry, moving from a focus on low prices to emphasizing product quality and service, driven by the need for sustainable profitability [39][40]