World market for air conditioners, 2004

Nov. 19, 2005 - The market for room air conditioners and packaged air conditioners is estimated at 59 million units in 2004. The majority of them, approximately 20 million units, were sold in China. Other major markets are USA (13 million), Japan (7.7 million), Europe (5.3 million), Asia & Oceania (excluding Japan and China) (7.5 million), Central & South America (2.3 million) and Middle East and Africa (3.2 million).

Total sales of central air conditioners and air source heat pumps increased by 9 % in 2004, to 7.4 million units. Europe is considered as the best and most profitable market. The success in 2003 continued during the first months in 2004, but the market then slowed due to the cool summer. The market reached over 5 million units in 2004, and is estimated to increase to 6 million units in 2005. Western Europe is more concerned with environmental issues and regulations, and is thus more inclined to purchase value-added products such as DC inverter split systems with R410A. As for the Japanese market, it is too mature to grow much in volume, which mainly leaves it to the replacement market.


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