Lead

As Europe experiences a record-breaking heatwave, Asian manufacturers of air conditioners and cooling appliances are reporting a significant surge in sales. South Korea's Samsung Electronics, China's Midea, and Japan's Mitsubishi Electric are among the companies benefiting from increased demand, with products selling out in some markets and supply chains working to keep up.

Coverage Comparison

Reports from Dawn and the South China Morning Post (SCMP) both document the boom in Asian air conditioner sales linked to the European heatwave, though they emphasize different aspects and data points.

Dawn's coverage highlights the general trend across Asian manufacturers, quoting Samsung Electronics' expectation of sustained demand through the peak cooling season and noting double-digit sales growth in Italy, Spain, and France. It also features Midea's experience with its PortaSplit air conditioner, which reportedly sold out in some channels amid soaring demand. Dawn also points out that air conditioning is common in Asia but rare in Europe, and notes that installation costs can exceed $1,137.

SCMP's reporting focuses more on Chinese companies' performance, particularly Alibaba's overseas platforms, where air conditioners and fans saw triple-digit growth. It also provides specific figures: fan sales in Spain soared by 94% from June 17 to 23, and Midea Group's air-conditioner sales in western Europe surged by over 70% in the first six months of the year. SCMP also reports that air conditioners and fans sold out across Spain, Italy, and Germany, and includes long-term projections for the European Union's air-conditioning market.

Both outlets also note the human toll of the heatwave, with SCMP reporting about 1,000 additional deaths in France. Dawn mentions that the heatwave is claiming lives, disrupting power supplies, and shutting schools.

Key Claims

  • Asian manufacturers of air conditioners, including Samsung, Midea, and Mitsubishi Electric, are experiencing a boom in sales due to the European heatwave, as reported by both Dawn and SCMP.
  • Air conditioning is common in Asia but rare in Europe, according to Dawn.
  • European countries are warning of an intensifying heatwave, as reported by Dawn.
  • Samsung Electronics expects sustained demand through the peak cooling season, with key markets including Italy, Spain, and France generating double-digit sales growth in the first half of the year, according to a statement cited by Dawn.
  • Midea has experienced soaring demand for its PortaSplit air conditioner, with second-hand prices exceeding the cost of new units, as reported by Dawn and SCMP.
  • Alibaba recorded triple-digit growth for air conditioners and fans on its overseas platforms, including AliExpress and Alibaba.com, according to data cited by SCMP.
  • Fan sales in Spain soared by 94% from June 17 to 23, and Italy recorded a 100% month-on-month jump in cooling appliances in June, as reported by SCMP.
  • The human toll of the heatwave is mounting, with about 1,000 additional deaths reported in France since Wednesday, according to French authorities cited by SCMP.
  • The cost of installing an air conditioner in Europe can be over $1,137, as noted by Dawn.
  • Air conditioners and fans sold out across Spain, Italy, and Germany, according to SCMP.
  • Midea Group's air-conditioner sales in western Europe surged by over 70% in the first six months of the year, as reported by SCMP.
  • Air-conditioning units in the European Union are expected to more than double from 2019 levels to 275 million by 2050, according to SCMP.

Perspectives

  • European Consumers: The heatwave has driven Europeans to purchase air conditioners and fans, often from Asian manufacturers, as they seek relief from record temperatures. Despite some concerns about installation costs and availability, demand is high.
  • Asian Manufacturers: Companies like Samsung, Midea, and Alibaba view the heatwave as an opportunity for growth, with many ramping up production and expecting sustained demand through the cooling season.
  • Climate and Policy Analysts: Some observers, as reflected in SCMP's analysis, see the surge in air conditioner sales as a sign of long-term shifts in European consumer behavior, with potential implications for climate policy and reliance on Chinese supply chains.