business

Daikin, thriving in Asia and India, sets sights on Africa

7 Comments
By Makiko Yamazaki and Yoshiyasu Shida

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7 Comments
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Not so smart when your comment is directed at someone who's Japanese brand air con in his own Tokyo apartment has failed at the height of a very hot summer.

My deepest condolences with your AC but the article is about thriving AC business, global business and not about those who should consider an Opt-out :)

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Most electric equipment in US households are dated in quality and technology.

Yet they're comfortable in summer and winter. Every recently constructed Tokyo home I've lived in is freezing in winter and boiling in summer, mainly because they leak energy like sieves and each room has to have its own separate unit (dumb), instead of a single integrated system (smart).

Not so smart comment after hearing all those stories about AC devices in US cities that fail with a heatwave.

Not so smart when your comment is directed at someone who's Japanese brand air con in his own Tokyo apartment has failed at the height of a very hot summer.

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Not many Americans are keen for such a 3rd World existence.

Not so smart comment after hearing all those stories about AC devices in US cities that fail with a heatwave. Most electric equipment in US households are dated in quality and technology.

Compare the superior drink water of Tokyo with the chloride treated water from NYC taps and than you'll think about circumstances in a development country.

What apartments in Tokyo concerns, it depends where you live and what you can spend :)

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GREAT JOB

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I suggest that manufacturers such as Daikin need to demonstrate that they have a superior product.

Haha! Superior to the US's ducted systems? Erm, no. Large parts of my Tokyo apartment are off limits in the height of summer and winter because temperature control is limited only to the rooms that have ungainly air con units bolted to the walls, with tubes running down the exterior walls. Not many Americans are keen for such a 3rd World existence. Daikin should stick to Africa.

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For me it's kinda puzzle in business to see A/C with needs in South Asia and Africa, if the cost is low and technology higher (not to be short-time broken, not to cost in maintenance). Daikin prevents China companies to copy/steal Japanese tech system, cheaper labors to mass-production of low prices A/C. And, who will be the clients, middle class citizens or big institutions/ corporations? I have my experience to stay long time on ships and I know that the electricity, the A/C and freezer rooms and all power energy is made in engine rooms. Isn't much easier to find hints from there? Well. this is a duty for Daikin experts and let them work on it. It's quite a puzzle all of that industry concerns commercial and business, knowing the cheapest way is to deliver second hand A/C with inverter components but not allowed trade by international law.

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I have noticed that Asian and European air conditioners tend toward the modular type, while American air conditioners tend toward the central air conditioning units, with ducts used to spread out the cooler (or hotter) air. The American market does have modular units, but they are the type that are installed in windows.

It seems to me that there are some unique advantages to the type of A/C units predominantly used in Asia and Europe, but so far those advantages have not been demonstrated to Americans. I suggest that manufacturers such as Daikin need to demonstrate that they have a superior product. One way to do that would be by performing demonstrations at trade shows. In one room have a Daikin modular unit, and in another room have a Carrier unit of comparable ability. If it can be shown conclusively that the Daikin module costs less to install and use, while performing as well or better than the competition, then breaking into the American market will follow. If, as I suspect, the Daikin model is superior, then the American manufacturers will have to retool to imitate the Daikin units. This is not to say that we Americans will turn away from our central air conditioning/heating habit, but it may expand the use of A/C units designed for one room at a time.

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