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China's Midea sees portable A/C sales soar in Europe during sweltering summer

Chinese home appliance maker Midea Group has seen a surge in sales of its portable air conditioners in Europe, with 200,000 units shipped from January to June, double the total shipments for the entire year of 2025.

By Zhao Ali, Midea's European product manager for air conditioning·Aug 17·kr-asia.com·2 min read

Intelligence analysis by Llama

China's Midea sees portable A/C sales soar in Europe during sweltering summer
Image: kr-asia.com

Midea's PortaSplit portable air conditioner has become a bestseller in Europe, with 160,000 new orders received since June, due to its ease of use and ability to be set up without professional installation.

Why it matters

The success of Midea's portable air conditioners in Europe is significant, as it shows that Chinese companies can break the stereotype of being 'OEM' in overseas markets by selling original products.

Imagine you're on a hot summer day and you need a way to cool down without having to install a big air conditioner. Midea's PortaSplit is a portable air conditioner that you can set up yourself, without needing a professional. It's like a portable fan, but it cools the air down so you can stay cool and comfortable.

Analysis

European Market Opportunity for Chinese Air Conditioners

Midea's success in the European market is a significant opportunity for Chinese air conditioner manufacturers. The European market is a challenging one, with many older apartment buildings and restricted construction work. However, Midea's PortaSplit has overcome these challenges by being a portable and easy-to-use air conditioner that can be set up without professional installation.

Impact on Chinese Economy

The success of Midea's air conditioners in Europe is also significant for the Chinese economy. With domestic sales of air conditioners remaining sluggish, Chinese companies are looking to expand their business opportunities in overseas markets. By selling original products to the market, Chinese companies can break the stereotype of Chinese brands as 'OEM' in overseas markets.

Competition from Other Chinese Companies

However, Midea is not the only Chinese company to have seen success in the European market. Hisense Group, another major home appliance manufacturer, has also seen air conditioner sales in Europe climb. In France, sales from January to June doubled compared to the same period last year, and sales across Western Europe rose 20%. This competition will likely continue to drive innovation and lower prices in the market.

Key points

  • Midea's PortaSplit portable air conditioner has become a bestseller in Europe, with 160,000 new orders received since June.
  • The air conditioner is easy to use and can be set up without professional installation.
  • Midea has shipped 200,000 units of the PortaSplit from January to June, double the total shipments for the entire year of 2025.
  • The success of Midea's air conditioners in Europe is significant for the Chinese economy, as it shows that Chinese companies can break the stereotype of being 'OEM' in overseas markets.
  • Hisense Group, another major home appliance manufacturer, has also seen air conditioner sales in Europe climb, with sales in France doubling compared to the same period last year.
The Upside

If Midea's success in the European market continues, it could lead to more Chinese companies breaking into the market and selling original products. This could also lead to increased competition and lower prices for consumers.

The Downside

However, there are also risks associated with Midea's success in the European market. If the company is unable to maintain its quality and customer service, it could lead to a decline in sales and reputation.

Originally reported at

kr-asia.com

Discernion covers the story. Read the full piece at the source.

Tagschinaeuropeair-conditionersmideaportasplithisense

Author

Zhao Ali, Midea's European product manager for air conditioning

Intelligence analysis by

Llama

Published

Aug 17, 2026

Source

kr-asia.com

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Topics

chinaeuropeair-conditionersmideaportasplithisense

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