Korean Giants Eye Hitachi’s Home Appliance Division

Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics are making strategic moves to acquire the domestic home appliance division of Hitachi Manufacturing Co. in Japan, signaling a renewed push into the Japanese market.

For Samsung, it’s a notable return—18 years after exiting Japan’s home appliance space in 2007. For LG, the acquisition represents a key opportunity to strengthen its footprint in a mature market. Analysts see this development as a shift toward deeper Korea–Japan industrial cooperation, especially as both face growth hurdles and mounting pressure from aggressive Chinese competitors.

According to Japan’s investment banking sector, Hitachi Global Life Solutions (GLS)—the unit responsible for domestic appliances—is officially up for sale. Initial bids were submitted recently, with a preferred bidder expected to be named in October and a final decision slated for December.

Samsung and LG are among the top contenders, alongside seven to eight other firms including Turkey’s Arçelik and several Chinese manufacturers. Arçelik already acquired Hitachi’s overseas appliance business in 2020, adding another layer of complexity to the bidding dynamic

China’s Home Appliance Giants: Global Expansion & Market Dominance

Chinese home appliance giants like Midea, Haier, and Hisense have spent years acquiring international brands to expand globally. Previously, they kept their original brands domestic, but since the pandemic, they’ve embraced a more visible global presence—Hisense and Haier even sponsor major sporting events.

Many leading brands now belong to Chinese corporations, including Toshiba, Sanyo, Candy, and GE Appliances. This strategy has propelled them to industry dominance—Hisense and TCL rank among the top three global TV brands, and Haier leads in total revenue.

Younger consumers prioritize quality over brand reputation, boosting trust in Chinese products. However, managing multiple brands brings challenges—Hisense and Haier’s premium positioning may eventually lead to internal pricing competition.

Midea Recalls 1.7M Air Conditioners Over Rare Mold Issue

Midea Group has voluntarily recalled 1.7 million U-shaped window air conditioners in North America after receiving reports of mold growth on fan blades. The company emphasized that the issue is rare—only 152 complaints out of 1.7 million units sold since 2020—and is linked to external environmental factors like extreme humidity.
Although the product meets all regulatory standards, Midea proactively issued the recall as a precautionary measure. Affected customers can receive refunds, self-repair accessory kits, or free inspections and repairs

The Rise of Multi-Drum Washing Machines: A New Era of Smart Laundry Solutions

The washing machine market has seen a surge in innovation, with leading brands rolling out multi-drum solutions to meet evolving consumer demands. The call for an “all-in-one lazy washing machine” that effortlessly handles underwear, socks, shoes, and clothes has spurred companies into action, with groundbreaking designs showcased at AWE2025.

Haier has led the charge with its newly launched three-drum lazy washing machine, officially delivered to customers in its first batch. According to JD platform data, the product has already surpassed 20,000 sales, with over 29,000 reservations placed for upcoming releases. Not far behind, Midea has introduced the Xiaowumei 3.0 washing machine, featuring a modular stacking system that allows users to expand from two to three, five, or even seven drums. This model achieved more than 10,000 sales within just 28 hours of its debut on JD.

Hisense, another key player in this emerging trend, unveiled its Marshmallow Ultra Family Drum—an innovative three-drum modular washing machine designed for flexibility. Current reservation figures indicate sales exceeding 20,000 units. With top brands racing to deliver advanced double- and triple-drum washing machines, could this category be the next big wave in the industry?

Haier’s approach focuses on maximizing capacity within a single machine, slightly taller than standard models yet compact enough to accommodate three drums. The largest drum is dedicated to everyday laundry, while the two smaller ones are ideal for delicate items such as socks, underwear, or baby clothes. Meanwhile, Midea and Hisense have opted for a modular, split-design system that enables multi-zone washing. Their models maintain a standard width, integrating dual-drum mini washers within a single unit. The Hisense Marshmallow Ultra Family Drum even offers a detachable three-drum setup, though individual drum purchases are currently unavailable. Additionally, their stackable configuration supports washing and drying functions, allowing users to build upwards to create a five- or seven-drum system.

With these pioneering designs redefining the traditional washing machine, the industry may soon embrace multi-zone washing as the new standard for convenience and efficiency.

Energy-efficient home appliances

Statement from APPLiA

Having access to energy-efficient home appliances is a fundamental right for every consumer!
Yet, only 25.5% of Europeans currently live in households with improved energy efficiency. This means millions are missing out on lower energy costs and a more sustainable lifestyle.
On World Consumer Rights Day, it’s essential to ensure that all households, especially low-income ones, can benefit from a just and fair transition. As highlighted in the EU’s Affordable Energy Action Plan, giving consumers access to more efficient appliances is key to making this happen.

We call on policymakers to build on this by encouraging investments in decarbonisation and providing meaningful incentives for consumers to enhance household efficiency.

Creda re-launching

Creda are re-launching the brand
to the Euronics Membership at this year’s UK Showcase.

Euronics is the Largest Electrical Buying Group in Europe, with 30 Member countries across Europe and 11,000 specialist stores and branches, reaching 600 million consumers.

Samsung New built-in cooking

Now available to order in the UK
, Samsung New Series 6 Blue Navy and Series 7 Satin Beige.

▪︎ Wi-Fi connected as standard (All)
▪︎ 5yr Parts and Labour Warranty
▪︎ AI Cooking technology (Series 7)
▪︎ Auto open door (Series 7)
▪︎ Full Steam (Series 6&7)
▪︎ Air Sous Vide
▪︎ Air Fry
▪︎ 40 Auto Cooking Functions
▪︎ Pyrolytic Cleaning
▪︎ 3 Colours Blue, Beige, Black

Beko fridge freezer USA awards winners

Beko US has won the 2021 TWICE VIP Award for our 36” French Four-Door Refrigerator! Thank you for recognizing our commitment to creating healthier, more sustainable homes.

This refrigerator is part of our Fresh Produce Promise and comes equipped with EverFresh+ & Active Blue Light Technology. Click the link in our bio to learn more about our award-winning refrigerator.

https://www.twice.com/vip-awards/announcing-the-winners-of-the-2021-twice-vip-awards