Air conditioner sales in India: LG Electronics India cites 1 million units in Q1 2026 as Voltas disputes leadership

LG Electronics India said it sold more than one million air conditioners in the first quarter of 2026. The company said the result gave it a leading position in India’s air conditioner market. The statement followed the start of the summer selling season. The claim also drew a response from rival Voltas, a Tata group company.

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Voltas challenged LG’s leadership claim and pointed to the residential air conditioner segment. Voltas said it still leads that market, which is expected at 12-14 million units a year. When contacted, Voltas declined to comment further due to a silent period. Voltas management said: "That said, Voltas continues to maintain its leadership position in the room air-conditioning market, strengthened by the trust of customers and our continued focus on innovation, energy efficiency and service excellence,\"

Air conditioner market: LG Electronics India reports Q1 2026 milestone

LG Electronics India, also known as LGEI, recorded a stock market listing last year. In its latest statement, LGEI said one million-plus unit sales came in the first quarter of 2026. LGEI said this was its fastest start to a summer season in India. The company linked the result to execution and supply capacity.

LG also said the performance reflected supply chain agility in a crowded category. The company added that the milestone supported its view of being the decisive leader. It described India’s air conditioner market as fast-growing and highly competitive. Several brands are active across price points and regions. The company did not share third-party market share data.

Air conditioner market: BEE norms, product timing and ICC World Cup campaign

According to LGEI, early product timing helped drive the sales number. The company cited a first-mover advantage from launching its new BEE star-rated compliant AC line-up ahead of the season. LGEI also pointed to advertising during the ICC World Cup. It said the campaign improved reach and consumer engagement.

The company said demand was not limited to India alone. LGE India said it exports Made-in-India air conditioners to Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Southeast Asia. The statement did not provide export volumes. It also did not clarify what share of total production was sent overseas. The company focused mainly on the Q1 2026 domestic sales figure.

Air conditioner market: Competitors, recent milestones and demand trends

Voltas had earlier highlighted its own scale in the category. In April 2024, a year marked by record summers, Voltas said it reached the two million AC milestone. Voltas described that achievement as an industry first. The wider Indian RAC market includes Voltas, LG, Daikin, BlueStar, Hitachi, Panasonic, and Lloyd.

Industry expectations for 2026 improved after weaker conditions in 2025. Sales in 2025 were hit by unseasonal rainfall and other factors. A year earlier, in 2024, the market expanded as many regions faced intense heatwaves. Companies now hope weather conditions support steady buying through the season.

Air conditioner market: Price hikes after January 1, 2026 energy labelling change

The air conditioning industry already saw a price rise in January. New energy labelling norms took effect from January 1, 2026, under BEE rules. Firms also faced higher input costs amid geopolitical tension. The report cited cost increases for plastics, copper, and ocean freight. Many brands were planning price hikes of 5-15 per cent.

LG’s claim and Voltas’ response showed how closely contested the RAC space remains. LG highlighted one million-plus unit sales in Q1 2026 and cited product timing and marketing. Voltas maintained it leads the residential segment and referenced annual market size estimates. With new BEE rules and rising costs, companies also faced fresh pricing pressure.

With inputs from PTI