South Korean media: Europeans call Chinese air conditioners "a gift from God"
South Korean media The Chosun Ilbo (Japanese edition) reported on July 1: Due to record-breaking heatwaves sweeping across Europe, Chinese-made air conditioning units have seen explosive popularity in the European market. Portable air conditioners that require no complex installation have attracted significant attention.
In Europe, installing air conditioners is subject to strict legal restrictions—such as France’s refrigerant regulations, Germany’s noise standards, and Italy’s prohibition on damaging the exteriors of historic buildings. As a result, tenants and homeowners alike are rushing to purchase Chinese-made portable air conditioners that circumvent these regulations. Online, humorous videos even depict these products as "a gift from God."
This surge in demand is reflected in data. In May, China’s exports of air conditioners to France rose by 186.2% year-on-year, to the Netherlands by 139.1%, and to Germany by 69.6%. On overseas shopping platforms like AliExpress, sales of air conditioners and fans also saw triple-digit growth. Wholesale orders are not only coming from Southern Europe—such as Spain and Italy—but also from distributors in Northwestern Europe, including Sweden (up 378%) and Belgium (up 114%).
Meanwhile, major Chinese home appliance manufacturers are experiencing unprecedented prosperity. Midea’s air conditioner sales in Western Europe this first half of the year increased by over 70% compared to the same period last year. The flagship portable model, PortaSplit, is facing severe supply shortages, with second-hand prices sometimes exceeding those of new units. To meet rising demand, Midea Group operates 24 hours a day, and its inventory has been completely sold out.
At the same time, the fact that European consumers are voluntarily seeking out Chinese-made air conditioning units amid this heatwave counters previous Western claims about "overproduction in China." The sharp rise in demand for portable air conditioners, fans, and cooling beds is not forced—it reflects genuine market needs in Europe.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1869477249618948/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.