It was all hailed by Chinese media as a victory for “Made in China” products, a label typically associated with lower-quality, often cheap, products.
“The fact that Chinese air conditioners have become a necessity for Europeans is not just a trade phenomenon but a microcosm of ‘Chinese-style empowerment,'” state media People’s Daily said in a commentary.
In fact, European owners of PortaSplit told the BBC that they were surprised to learn that the product was from a Chinese brand.
“The marketing and design were not typical of old Chinese products. They were more modern,” says Szoltysek from Germany. “Plus, when I received it, the quality was comparable to what I was used to in Europe or elsewhere.”
PortaSplit, launched in Germany in 2024, is touted on its website as a combination of “German engineering” from the Midea research center in Stuttgart and “Italian design”.
It’s part of a “general shift” in the image of Chinese tech products, away from drone maker DJI and toward electric vehicle brands, Szoltysek said.
And after purchasing PortaSplit, Szoltysek even decided to buy Midea shares – a sign of his confidence in the company’s prospects.
This confidence is shared by Midea employees. Ralph Kobsick, general manager of Midea’s European division, told the BBC in a statement that they “see significant long-term growth potential in Europe.”
He added that the company “will continually invest in technologies that meet the specific requirements of European consumers.”
One such satisfied consumer is Adrien Aulard from France, who recently purchased his first air conditioner: a Midea PortaSplit.
“This may be my first Chinese product,” says the 26-year-old, calling it a “revolution.” In the days before PortaSplit arrived, he splashed water on his face to keep his home cool.
But those days are behind him for Olar: “When I go into my room, it’s like walking into a refrigerator. It’s a very, very good difference.”