Qingdao-based Haier has retained fourth place on the 2026 Asia's 500 Most Influential Brands list, marking its 21st consecutive year on the ranking.

The annual list was released by World Brand Lab at the Asia Brand Summit in Hong Kong on Sept 20. Samsung, Tencent, Toyota, Haier and Huawei occupied the top five spots.

Brands from China, including Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, accounted for 223 of the 500 entries, or 44.6 percent, followed by Japan with 127 and the Republic of Korea with 42.

Haier has expanded its global presence through localized research and development, manufacturing and marketing. Its three-drum washing machine, for example, is now available in 35 countries and regions, with features tailored to different local needs.

The company has also expanded its overseas manufacturing footprint. In May, it broke ground on a smart central air-conditioning factory in Rayong, Thailand, which is expected to strengthen its production capacity in Southeast Asia.

This year's ranking incorporated AI influence into its evaluation system for the first time. Haier has been extending the use of AI across research and development, manufacturing and internal operations, while developing Uhome, its large language model for smart-home applications.

Haier's COSMOPlat industrial internet platform and logistics arm RRS Supply Chain also made the list for the sixth consecutive year.