Mitsubishi Electric
Japanese multinational manufacturer of electronics, electrical equipment, industrial systems, and infrastructure technologies.
Last updated November 2, 2026
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Overview
Mitsubishi Electric Corporation is a Japanese multinational manufacturer whose activities span consumer appliances, heating and cooling, building systems, factory automation, transportation equipment, energy infrastructure, semiconductors, information and communications technology, and space systems. Although its brand is widely associated with air conditioners, refrigerators, elevators, and other household or building products, the company’s principal breadth is industrial and infrastructure-oriented. It supplies equipment and systems to factories, utilities, transport operators, public agencies, commercial buildings, vehicle manufacturers, and aerospace programs as well as to households. The company was established in 1921 when Mitsubishi Shipbuilding, the Mitsubishi Group company later known as Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, separated an electrical machinery operation at its Kobe shipyard. This origin placed Mitsubishi Electric within the broader Mitsubishi corporate group while giving it a distinct specialization in electrical engineering and electronics. Over the following decades it diversified from motors and electrical machinery into household appliances, communications, displays, semiconductors, transportation systems, automation, and space-related technologies. Its portfolio includes room and packaged air conditioners, variable-refrigerant-flow systems, heat-pump and hot-water equipment, ventilators, refrigerators, air purifiers, and other appliances. In commercial and industrial markets, it offers elevators, escalators, moving walks, hand dryers, programmable controllers, inverters, servo systems, industrial robots, machine tools, power-generation and distribution equipment, photovoltaic systems, rail electrification, rolling-stock systems, automotive electronics, power semiconductors, sensors, optical devices, satellite components, radar, lidar, water-treatment systems, and large-format visual displays. Some offerings are sold under recognizable product families such as Mr. Slim, CITY MULTI, Ecodan, DIAHOT, Jet Towel, Diamond Vision, and Diamondtron. Mitsubishi Electric has also maintained a substantial research and intellectual-property base. Its technologies have been applied to high-speed elevators, factory automation, communications, power electronics, transportation control, satellite platforms, and scientific or public-sector systems. In 2023, it ranked fourth globally for published Patent Cooperation Treaty applications according to the cited WIPO review, with 2,152 published applications. The company’s business overlaps in selected areas, especially air conditioning, with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, reflecting their shared Mitsubishi heritage rather than common corporate ownership. The brand has periodically withdrawn from or reduced exposure to consumer categories when market conditions changed. It exited mobile-phone production in 2008 after declining shipments and later discontinued several television, video, DVD, computer, and memory-related businesses. This contributed to a strategic profile increasingly centered on industrial automation, energy, infrastructure, building systems, advanced devices, and professional electronics. Its international identity has been reinforced by the “Changes for the Better” slogan, used since 2001, and by a worldwide network of subsidiaries, facilities, laboratories, and sales organizations. Mitsubishi Electric remains an active public company headquartered in Tokyo. Its current strategic direction includes investment in semiconductors and power-electronics capacity, digitalized industrial systems, energy efficiency, transportation, and resilient infrastructure. In 2023 it announced a planned 100 billion yen investment in a new semiconductor factory in Kumamoto Prefecture, targeted to begin production in April 2026. No current financial figures are included here because a time-specific source and reporting context were not supplied.
History
Mitsubishi Electric was created in 1921 as a spin-off from the electrical machinery manufacturing division of Mitsubishi Shipbuilding at the Kobe shipyard. The separation gave the Mitsubishi Group a dedicated electrical and electronics company while retaining a close historical relationship with the business that later became Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. From its original base in electrical machinery, Mitsubishi Electric expanded into household appliances, communications, displays, industrial equipment, transportation, energy systems, semiconductors, and aerospace technologies. During the postwar period, the company developed a broad consumer and professional portfolio. It produced televisions, monitors, video recorders, optical and electronic components, computers, mobile phones, and home appliances while also supplying motors, power equipment, industrial controls, and building systems. Its Diamondtron cathode-ray-tube displays and later projection and large-format display technologies were among its notable visual products. Mitsubishi Electric also became a significant supplier of elevators and escalators, air-conditioning equipment, factory automation systems, and railway electrical systems. The company’s building-technology business achieved a prominent engineering milestone when an elevator at Yokohama Landmark Tower became the world’s fastest elevator in 1993. Mitsubishi Electric held that distinction until 2005. In the home-appliance sector, it acquired Japanese manufacturer Nihon Kentetsu in 2005. In 2015 it acquired DeLclima, an Italian designer and producer of HVAC and HPAC equipment; the acquired business was renamed Mitsubishi Electric Hydronics & IT Cooling Systems in 2017. Mitsubishi Electric subsequently concentrated more heavily on industrial, infrastructure, energy, and professional technology markets. It exited mobile-phone manufacturing in April 2008 after shipments declined, estimating a temporary pretax income loss of 17 billion yen at the time. Other discontinued or divested activities included video cassette recorders, DVD players, several television categories, general-purpose computers, computer memory, system LSIs, and certain medical equipment. These changes reduced the emphasis on some consumer categories while preserving consumer-facing strength in air conditioning and appliances. The company operates internationally through regional organizations and subsidiaries in Japan, North America, Europe, China, India, Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand, the Middle East, and other markets. Its product and research activities include power generation and distribution, photovoltaic equipment, rail systems, automotive electrification, factory automation, sensors, communications, satellite programs, radar, lidar, water systems, and scientific instrumentation. Research organizations such as Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories have contributed to communications and software technologies. Mitsubishi Electric’s history also includes significant compliance and cybersecurity challenges. In early 2020 it was identified as a victim of a lengthy cyberattack attributed to Chinese hackers. The event highlighted the exposure of globally connected manufacturers and infrastructure suppliers to state-linked cyber threats. More recently, the company has emphasized semiconductor and power-device capacity. In 2023 it announced a planned 100 billion yen semiconductor factory in Kumamoto, with a target of beginning production in April 2026. Its continuing brand promise is expressed internationally through the slogan “Changes for the Better,” adopted in 2001.
- 2023
Kumamoto semiconductor investment announced
[1]The company announces a planned 100 billion yen investment in a semiconductor plant in Kumamoto, targeting production in April 2026.
- 2022
AFF Championship title sponsorship begins
[1]The AFF Championship adopts the name AFF Mitsubishi Electric Cup under a title-sponsorship agreement.
- 2020
Cyberattack disclosed in public reporting
[1]Mitsubishi Electric is identified as a victim of a year-long cyberattack attributed to Chinese hackers.
- 2017
DeLclima business renamed
[1]The acquired DeLclima business is renamed Mitsubishi Electric Hydronics & IT Cooling Systems.
- 2015
DeLclima acquired
[1]Mitsubishi Electric acquires Italian HVAC and HPAC company DeLclima to strengthen its heating and cooling activities.
- 2008
Mobile-phone business exited
[1]The company leaves mobile-phone manufacturing after declining shipments and weakening economics in the category.
- 2005
Nihon Kentetsu acquired
[1]Mitsubishi Electric acquires Japanese home-appliance manufacturer Nihon Kentetsu.
- 2001
“Changes for the Better” slogan introduced
[1]Mitsubishi Electric adopts “Changes for the Better” as its continuing international brand slogan.
- 1993
Yokohama Landmark Tower elevator achieves world speed record
[1]An elevator supplied by Mitsubishi Electric at Yokohama Landmark Tower becomes the fastest in the world, a distinction retained until 2005.
- 1921
Mitsubishi Electric is established
[1]The company is formed as a spin-off from Mitsubishi Shipbuilding’s electrical machinery operation at the Kobe shipyard.
Products and positioning
Technology-led, high-quality engineering brand serving households, businesses, infrastructure operators, and public-sector customers.
HVAC and home appliances
Mitsubishi Electric air-conditioning systems
The company’s cooling and heating portfolio includes Mr. Slim room and packaged air conditioners, CITY MULTI variable-refrigerant-flow systems, ventilators, air curtains, and heat-pump hot-water products sold under names including Ecodan and DIAHOT. These systems serve homes, offices, commercial properties, data centers, and industrial facilities, combining residential appliances with large-scale building climate-control equipment.
Elevators and building equipment
Building systems
Mitsubishi Electric supplies elevators, escalators, moving walks, and high-speed hand dryers marketed as Jet Towel. Its building-systems activities combine mechanical equipment, electrical drives, control systems, and monitoring technologies for offices, public facilities, transport hubs, and other large buildings.
Industrial automation
Factory automation
The factory-automation portfolio includes programmable controllers, AC drives and inverters, servo systems, industrial and collaborative robots, processing machines, and associated control and information systems. These products support automated production, motion control, industrial networking, and digitally managed manufacturing environments.
Power and energy infrastructure
Energy systems
Mitsubishi Electric provides power-generation equipment, photovoltaic systems, transmission and distribution equipment, medium- and low-voltage switchgear, power-information and communications technologies, and related utility systems. It has also participated in advanced energy programs, including equipment associated with the ITER nuclear-fusion project.
Semiconductors
Semiconductors and electronic devices
The company manufactures or develops power modules, high-power devices, driver integrated circuits, sensors, high-frequency and optical devices, and display-related components. These technologies are used in industrial equipment, vehicles, energy systems, communications, consumer products, and other electronic applications.
Rail and automotive systems
Transportation systems
Mitsubishi Electric supplies rolling-stock systems, railway power supply and electrification equipment, transportation planning and control systems, and communications systems. Its automotive activities include charging and starting products, electric-power-steering components, safety and driver-assistance systems, and in-vehicle multimedia equipment.
Space and public-sector technology
Space and public systems
The space and public-systems portfolio includes satellite programs, platforms and components, optical and radio telescopes, radar and lidar, applied superconducting systems, uninterruptible power supplies, water-treatment equipment, and pumps. These offerings serve government, scientific, infrastructure, and security-related applications.
Professional displays
Diamond Vision
Diamond Vision is Mitsubishi Electric’s large-scale display family for sports venues, commercial environments, public spaces, and other professional applications. The line is associated with high-visibility LED video displays rather than ordinary household television products.
Mobile communications · 1999
Mobile phones
Mitsubishi Electric produced mobile phones primarily for NTT DoCoMo during the late 1990s and 2000s. The company withdrew from the business in April 2008 after declining shipments and an increasingly difficult market environment.
Consumer electronics · 1953
Consumer televisions
The company historically produced CRT televisions and monitors, LCD televisions, and DLP high-definition televisions. It later discontinued these consumer television activities, while retaining selected professional display and home-theater projection interests for a period.
Controversies
2021
Mitsubishi Electric acknowledges improper train-air-conditioner inspections
Mitsubishi Electric stated that it was conducting an internal investigation following reports that its Nagasaki factory had falsified inspection data for train air-conditioning products. The reports indicated that the practice may have continued for more than 35 years. According to the company, the affected products that had already been delivered had no safety-performance problems.
2021
Fine imposed on Mitsubishi Electric Shanghai Mechanical & Electrical Elevator Co.
Mitsubishi Electric Shanghai Mechanical & Electrical Elevator Co. was fined CNY 10,000 for an environmental violation involving the transport of pollution-hazardous cargo without approval. The article says regulators disclosed the penalty information on August 17, 2021.
2020
Year-long cyberattack
Mitsubishi Electric was identified as a victim of a prolonged cyberattack attributed in reporting to Chinese hackers. The incident raised concerns about the protection of corporate information and technology systems at a major industrial manufacturer.
2020
Mitsubishi Electric discloses data theft
Mitsubishi Electric disclosed that highly sensitive company data had been stolen, including correspondence and information involving government agencies and business partners. The article says the attack reportedly occurred in June and that more than 8,000 current and former employees and job applicants had personal data stolen.
Marketing campaigns
- 2022AFF Mitsubishi Electric Cup title sponsorship
Southeast Asia
The company entered a title-sponsorship agreement for the AFF Championship, giving the regional football tournament the name AFF Mitsubishi Electric Cup from the 2022 edition.
Outcome. Tournament renamed under the sponsorship arrangement
- 2001Changes for the Better
Global
Mitsubishi Electric introduced the “Changes for the Better” slogan as a global expression of its technology-focused identity and continuing-improvement positioning.
Outcome. Continuing corporate brand platform
Brand decisions
2023
Planned Kumamoto semiconductor factoryStrategyBackground
Mitsubishi Electric announced additional semiconductor manufacturing capacity amid the strategic importance of power devices and related technologies.
Action taken
The company announced a planned 100 billion yen investment in a new Kumamoto Prefecture factory, targeting production in April 2026.
Aftermath
The project was presented as an expansion of the company’s semiconductor manufacturing base; later operating results are not covered here.
Planned investment. 100 billion yen (Announced in 2023; target production April 2026)
2015
Acquisition of DeLclimaM&ABackground
Mitsubishi Electric sought to strengthen its HVAC and hydronic-cooling capabilities through an international acquisition.
Action taken
The company acquired Italian HVAC and HPAC manufacturer DeLclima.
Aftermath
The business was renamed Mitsubishi Electric Hydronics & IT Cooling Systems in 2017.
2008
Exit from mobile-phone manufacturingStrategyBackground
Shipments of Mitsubishi Electric mobile phones had declined, weakening the commercial case for remaining in the category.
Action taken
The company ended its mobile-phone business in April 2008.
Aftermath
Mitsubishi Electric estimated a temporary pretax income loss of 17 billion yen in connection with the exit, as reported in the reference material.
Recent events
Hon Hai to acquire 50% of Mitsubishi Electric automotive parts business[6]
Reported:
Hon Hai announced it would spend 115 billion yen to acquire 50% of Mitsubishi Electric’s automotive parts department. The department is planned to become an equally owned independent joint venture after the transaction is completed.
Foxconn and Mitsubishi Electric plan to combine automotive capabilities[7]
Reported:
Foxconn and Mitsubishi Electric plan to combine Mitsubishi Electric's automaker customer base with Foxconn's rapid development model, expanding their business scope from traditional automotive parts to electric vehicles and autonomous-driving platforms.
Mitsubishi Electric and Cartken announce Japanese robot-delivery pilot[8]
Reported:
Mitsubishi Electric and Cartken announced a partnership pilot to deploy Cartken delivery robots at Aeon Mall Tokoname in Japan for indoor and curb-side food delivery, initially for Starbucks customers. The pilot was described as starting in January and running through April 2022.
- Unconfirmed
Fine imposed on Mitsubishi Electric Shanghai Mechanical & Electrical Elevator Co.[4]
Mitsubishi Electric Shanghai Mechanical & Electrical Elevator Co. was fined CNY 10,000 for an environmental violation involving the transport of pollution-hazardous cargo without approval. The article says regulators disclosed the penalty information on August 17, 2021.
Mitsubishi Electric to acquire Smarter Grid Solutions[9]
Reported:
Mitsubishi Electric Corporation and its subsidiary Mitsubishi Electric Power Products Inc. were reported to be acquiring Smarter Grid Solutions. The takeover was expected to close in the next several weeks; the article does not report completion.
Trivale acquires Mitsubishi Electric display patent portfolio[10]
Reported:
IPValue announced that its subsidiary Trivale had acquired over 1,200 patents and applications from Mitsubishi Electric's display business unit.
Mitsubishi Electric acknowledges improper train-air-conditioner inspections[3]
Reported:
Mitsubishi Electric said it was conducting an internal investigation after reports that its Nagasaki factory had falsified inspection data for train air-conditioning products. The article reports that the practice may have continued for more than 35 years; the company said affected products already delivered had no safety-performance problems.
Mitsubishi Electric CEO resigns amid inspection-data falsification revelations[11]
Mitsubishi Electric President and CEO Takeshi Sugiyama announced his resignation after media reports that the company falsified product inspection data. The article reports falsified inspections involving train air conditioners and air compressors.
Mitsubishi Electric selects Qualtrics EmployeeXM[12]
Reported:
Qualtrics announced that Mitsubishi Electric Corporation selected Qualtrics EmployeeXM to help design and improve employee experiences around the world.
- Unconfirmed
Hu Ji resigns as Mitsubishi Electric air-conditioning sales department head[13]
Reported:
Hu Ji resigned as head of the sales department for Mitsubishi Electric home air conditioning in China and subsequently served as an adviser. The source dates the resignation to the first workday after the 2021 Spring Festival, without giving a calendar date.
Showing the 10 most recent.
Sources21 sources
- 1Mitsubishi Electricen.wikipedia.org
- 2Mitsubishi Electric official websitemitsubishielectric.com
- 3Mitsubishi Electric acknowledges improper train-air-conditioner inspectionsfinance.sina.com.cn
- 4Fine imposed on Mitsubishi Electric Shanghai Mechanical & Electrical Elevator Co.nbd.com.cn
- 5Mitsubishi Electric discloses data theftnet.zhiding.cn
- 6鸿海将收购三菱电机汽车零件部门50%股份zaobao.com.sg
- 7富士康与三菱电机计划结合汽车业务能力finance.sina.com.cn
- 8三菱电机与Cartken宣布在日本开展机器人配送试点techcrunch.com
- 9三菱电机将收购Smarter Grid Solutionsthenational.scot
- 10Trivale收购三菱电机显示业务专利组合finanznachrichten.de
- 11三菱电机社长因检验数据造假曝光辞职finance.qianlong.com
- 12三菱电机选用 Qualtrics EmployeeXMprnewswire.com
- 13胡纪辞去三菱电机空调营业部部长职务finance.sina.com.cn
- 14三菱电机宣布退出液晶面板生产news.cnyes.com
- 15三菱电机收购EKE-Electronics 34%股权railwaygazette.com
- 16三菱电机美国公司推出DiamondView DV100UM显示器prweb.com
- 17三菱电机在2019年国际专利申请量中全球排名第二finanznachrichten.de
- 18三菱电机欧洲收购AQSfinanznachrichten.de
- 19三菱电机印度延长空调保修期限technuter.com
- 20三菱电机宣布推出 M1A 照片印表机prweb.com
- 21三菱电机公布EMIRAI S概念车auto.cnfol.com
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