Where Are Mitsubishi Mini Splits Made for the US?

Written by: Mark Duchev

Published on November 8, 2024

Time to read 6 min

Table of contents

Introduction Where are Mitsubishi Mini Splits Made 1. Mexico: The North American Manufacturing Hub 2. Thailand: Cost-Effective and Reliable Production 3. Japan: The Heart of Mitsubishi’s Innovation 4. China: A Small but Key Contributor Why the Country of Origin Doesn’t Affect Quality Should You Choose Mitsubishi Mini Splits for Your Home or Business?

Introduction

Wondering where Mitsubishi mini splits are made for the US market? In this blog article, we’ll dive into where the top mini split brand in the US is produced and assembled. Mitsubishi Electric is known for its high-quality mini split systems, but not all of them are made in the same place. Learn about the global manufacturing process, the role of production plants, and how it impacts the availability and quality of mini split units in the United States.

💡 Did you know

Mitsubishi is credited to have invented the first mini split in the 1950s. Mitsubishi first introduced mini splits in the United States in 1969 and has been a top quality brand ever since.

Where are Mitsubishi Mini Splits Made

Mitsubishi Electric’s mini splits, mainly M & P series, are manufactured in four main countries:

Mexico
Thailand
Japan
China

Each country plays a unique role in producing these advanced systems, which are designed to meet the needs of residential customers, contractors, and businesses worldwide.

Now this has changed over the years but as of 2024 the ratio of where the residential mini splits are manufactured is split up like this: 40% of the residential mini splits of what Mitsubishi manufactures is in Mexico, 50% is in Thailand, and 10% is in Japan, 1% is made in China.

Let's break down these countries one by one.

What Makes Mitsubishi Mini Splits the Best?

Mitsubishi invests heavily in R&D to curate the highest quality products for their customers. They lead in product reliability and product innovation. This leads to Mitsubishi being the head of the industry with competitors chasing them down for the #1 spot.

Why Should I Consider Mitsubishi Over Other Brands?

If you are looking for a dependent, long-lasting, and reliable mini split, look no further than Mitsubishi. Got Ductless has sold many top notch mini split brands; none have as little warranty claim issues as Mitsubishi. Mitsubishi is not the most affordable but it is the most reliable.

Can I buy Mitsubishi online?

Yes, you surely can. The warranty for Mitsubishi is based on the installer of the equipment to ensure the product integrity. If you use a licensed HVAC contractor and you register the equipment within 60 days, you'll receive a 10 year warranty for both compressor and parts. Shop Mitsubishi with Got Ductless today.

1. Mexico: The North American Manufacturing Hub

As of 2024, Mexico has become the largest manufacturer of Mitsubishi mini splits, accounting for 40% of all it's residential and light commercial equipment production. This shift was driven by several factors, primarily the need to streamline the supply chain and reduce reliance on overseas shipping. By locating manufacturing closer to the US market, Mitsubishi Electric accomplished the following:

significantly shortened delivery times
minimized transportation costs
alleviated inventory challenges, especially after the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mexico’s proximity to the US not only helps with logistics but also plays a crucial role in supporting the growing demand for mini splits in North America. The strategic move to Mexico ensures that Mitsubishi’s products reach consumers faster and with fewer delays.

Image from Mitsubishi Electric

2. Thailand: Cost-Effective and Reliable Production

Thailand accounts for about 50% of Mitsubishi mini split production. This country is known for its competitive labor costs and efficient manufacturing capabilities. By diversifying its manufacturing across multiple countries, Mitsubishi ensures it’s not overly dependent on any one location, which helps mitigate risk.

The choice of Thailand as a production site allows Mitsubishi to maintain a strong global presence while benefiting from cost-effective manufacturing practices. While labor may be cheaper in Thailand, Mitsubishi’s rigorous quality control standards ensure that the systems produced there are just as reliable and efficient as those made in Mexico or Japan.

Image from Mitsubishi Electric

3. Japan: The Heart of Mitsubishi’s Innovation

Although Japan represents only 10% of Mitsubishi mini split manufacturing today, it remains the core of the company’s research, development, and design efforts. Mitsubishi Electric is deeply rooted in Japanese engineering principles, and their commitment to high standards is reflected in every unit they produce.

Japan’s manufacturing focus is mainly on high-end and specialized products, incorporating cutting-edge technologies that enhance the performance and efficiency of the mini splits. These innovations often set the standard for the rest of the world’s production.

Examples of products manufactured in Japan include the high end Smart Multi multi zone outdoor units as seen below.

4. China: A Small but Key Contributor

Historically, Mitsubishi has relied heavily on China for the production of its mini splits, but this has shifted in recent years. As of 2024, only 1% of Mitsubishi mini splits are manufactured in China. This change can be traced back to the disruptions in global supply chains during the COVID-19 pandemic, which prompted Mitsubishi to diversify its manufacturing to other countries with fewer logistical challenges.

While China’s contribution has decreased, it still plays a small but essential role in the global manufacturing network.

What Does the Future Hold for Mitsubishi Mini Split Manufacturing

BREAKING NEWS: In December 2024, Mitsubishi Electric announced that they were going to be investing billions into creating a manufacturing plant in the United States. Here's a summary of the info that they released:

Mitsubishi will invest U.S.$ 143.5 million to retrofit a U.S.-based factory to make variable-speed compressors that are a key component of high-efficiency heat pumps.
Production of the compressors, targeted to start in October 2027, is expected to help the company meet growing demand in the United States for low-greenhouse-gas-impact and energy-efficient HVAC solutions.
Initial estimated annual capacity will total 1,000,000 compressors."

Production of the compressors, targeted to start in October 2027, is expected to help the company meet growing demand in the United States for low-greenhouse-gas-impact and energy-efficient HVAC solutions. Initial estimated annual capacity will total 1,000,000 compressors

Mitsubishi Electric

Why the Country of Origin Doesn’t Affect Quality

Despite the global spread of Mitsubishi’s manufacturing, one thing remains constant: the quality of their mini split systems. Mitsubishi Electric has stringent quality control measures in place at all of their manufacturing facilities, ensuring that every unit that leaves the factory meets their high standards of performance, efficiency, and durability.

The quality of a Mitsubishi mini split isn’t determined by its country of origin but by the company’s commitment to design, innovation, and testing. Whether a unit is made in Mexico, Thailand, Japan, or China, it undergoes the same rigorous checks to ensure that it operates efficiently and reliably for years to come.

Should You Choose Mitsubishi Mini Splits for Your Home or Business?

If you’re considering a mini split system for your home or business, Mitsubishi should be at the top of your list. Their systems are designed to deliver optimal comfort, energy savings, and reliability. With options for every budget and space size, there’s a Mitsubishi mini split that’s perfect for your needs.

At Got Ductless, we specialize in Mitsubishi mini splits and can help you choose the right system based on your requirements. Whether you're upgrading your HVAC system or installing a new one, our team can guide you through the selection and installation process.

If you have any questions about Mitsubishi mini splits or need help selecting the right system for your project, don’t hesitate to reach out to Got Ductless. We’re experts in the Mitsubishi brand and can recommend the best unit sizes and styles to suit your needs.