Asian manufacturers are experiencing a surge in European air conditioner sales driven by a deadly heatwave, with Western Europe having recorded its hottest June since records began in 2026.
Midea Group reported revenue gains exceeding 70% year-on-year across France, Spain, Germany and Britain, while its PortaSplit portable unit sold out in some channels, with second-hand prices surpassing retail. Samsung Electronics posted double-digit sales growth in Italy, Spain and France in the first half of 2026, and TCL Technology said its French air conditioner sales rose more than 300%.
The demand spike has prompted France's government to accelerate air conditioning installation in public buildings, where only seven percent of schools are currently equipped. Air conditioning ownership across Europe stands at roughly 20%, according to the International Energy Agency.