Unveiling Gree’s Ambitions Beyond Air Conditioners: Dong Mingzhu Highlights Fridge Innovation; Vegetables Fresher After 20 Days.

CNBC AI News, August 10th – Dong Mingzhu, the charismatic and ever-present face of Gree Electric, continues her unabashed advocacy for the company’s diverse product portfolio.

At the recent China Brand Conference, Dong once again championed Gree’s appliances, specifically highlighting the “growth potential” of their refrigerators. She claimed that vegetables stored in a Gree fridge for 20 days maintain superior freshness compared to freshly harvested produce.

“Choosing alternatives to Gree washing machines and refrigerators? That’s a mistake, in my opinion.” Dong emphasized the energy efficiency of Gree refrigerators and asserted their ability to preserve the freshness and nutritional value of fruits and vegetables for up to twenty days, rivaling the quality of just-picked produce.

This isn’t the first time Dong has made such claims. She previously stated that watermelons stored in a Gree air conditioner for a week exhibit a superior taste profile compared to freshly purchased ones.

When questioned about the science behind these claims, Dong attributed it to Gree Electric’s advanced technology and innovative engineering.

Gree Electric has, in recent years, actively sought to shed its reputation as a singular “air conditioner specialist.” However, consumer perception often remains anchored to Gree’s dominance in the air conditioning market. Dong Mingzhu has openly stated that the company “must break through the ceiling of a single product category!” This ambition has fueled Gree’s expansion into refrigerators (via its Jinghong sub-brand), small appliances (Dazon), and even smartphones.

The Jinghong brand, introduced into the refrigerator market in 2013, represents a strategically important component of Gree’s diversification strategy. As early as 2019, reports indicated Gree’s intentions to leverage its Dazon and Jinghong sub-brands to capture a share of the mid-range and entry-level markets.

While Jinghong refrigerators may not yet rival established market leaders like Haier and Midea in terms of overall brand recognition and market share, over a decade of development has solidified a “Gree family” brand association in the minds of many consumers. The company is betting that this connection, coupled with persistent innovation, will further elevate Jinghong’s standing in the competitive appliance landscape.