Asian AC Makers Ride 108% Europe Shipment Jump as Record Heatwave Rewrites Cooling Demand
Updated
Updated · CNN · Jun 25
Asian AC Makers Ride 108% Europe Shipment Jump as Record Heatwave Rewrites Cooling Demand
3 articles · Updated · CNN · Jun 25
Summary
Spain and France shipments of Midea air conditioners jumped 108% in May from a year earlier, while German e-commerce sales rose about 37% as Europe’s heatwave drove a rush for cooling.
Samsung, LG and Mitsubishi Electric all reported stronger European demand, with Samsung citing double-digit first-half growth in Italy, Spain and France and LG running a South Korean production line at full capacity since April.
Midea said its PortaSplit unit sold out in some channels after a late-May heatwave, with second-hand prices rising above new-unit costs as buyers sought portable options.
Europe’s low air-conditioning penetration—about 20% of households, according to the IEA—has left room for growth, though installation can cost more than €1,000 in older buildings.
The sales boom highlights how climate change is reshaping European consumer behavior in a region the World Meteorological Organization says is warming at more than twice the global average.
As Europe rushes to install air conditioners, is it creating a deadly climate feedback loop?
Can Europe's new green policies outpace Asia's dominance in the booming cooling market?
Beyond air conditioning, what radical urban redesigns can cool Europe's overheating cities?
Europe’s Hottest Summer on Record in 2026: Air Conditioning Demand Soars, Asian Brands Lead Market Response
Overview
In June 2026, Western Europe faced a deadly and unprecedented heatwave, beginning around June 23, which shattered temperature records and triggered red alerts across the region. Scientists directly linked the severity of this event to the climate crisis caused by fossil fuel burning. Many of Europe’s largest cities experienced their worst-ever heat stress, with high temperatures and humidity making conditions especially dangerous by reducing the body’s ability to cool itself. The UK, for example, recorded its hottest June temperature ever. This intense heat led to a surge in medical emergencies and deaths, particularly as it worsened existing health problems like heart disease.