All articles tagged with #polestar
Polestar will not be allowed to sell new 2027-and-later EVs in the United States because of a BIS ban tied to its Chinese ownership via Volvo/Geely. The company will continue selling existing stock of Polestar 3 and Polestar 4 and shift manufacturing to Europe, with no plans to bring 2027+ models (including the Polestar 7) to the US.
Polestar says it will no longer sell cars in the United States starting with the 2027 model year due to a new US Connected Vehicles Rule that restricts imports and sales of vehicles with connectivity linked to China or Russia. The company will continue to sell existing stock of Polestar 3 and 4 and maintain its service network; 94% of its Q1 2026 retail sales were outside the US. Volvo/Geely ownership context is noted, and Ford is seeking similar authorization for its China-built Lincoln Nautilus.
Polestar will not be allowed to sell model year 2027+ vehicles in the US after the BIS declined to authorize sales under the Connected Vehicle Rule, which bans vehicles with a nexus to China or Russia. Volvo—also Geely-owned—was granted authorization, underlining that corporate structure and software sourcing, not assembly location, drive the decision. Polestar will continue selling existing stock and servicing current owners, while pivoting toward Europe and other growth markets (Europe accounts for the bulk of its sales). The ruling sets a precedent that Chinese ownership can restrict entry to the US market, with potential implications for other automakers and US policy.
The US Commerce Department declined to authorize imports of Polestar cars starting with model year 2027 due to a rule barring connected cars from automakers with Chinese links, effectively stopping new Polestar models in the US beyond existing stock. Polestar will continue servicing current vehicles (e.g., Polestar 3/4) and supporting customers, but future models like the Polestar 5/6 won’t be sold in the US. Polestar is owned by Zhejiang Geely Holding, with production spread across the US (Polestar 3 in South Carolina), Korea, and China; Volvo’s MY27 imports were authorized separately.
Geely Holding is quietly building a U.S. foothold by owning stakes in Volvo Cars, Polestar, and Lotus, plus its Zeekr/Lynk & Co brands, gaining dealer-network access and potential U.S. production. Volvo’s Charleston, SC plant could expand, with XC60 hybrid adding about 45k units/year and Volvo aiming for roughly 200k U.S. sales, with a large portion produced locally. Zeekr is seen as the best candidate to lead a U.S. entry, aided by Waymo’s use of Zeekr tech, while bipartisan opposition to Chinese automakers persists; other Chinese players like BYD and CATL are expanding in the U.S. The takeaway: Geely’s U.S. strategy hinges on networks, platforms, and potential local manufacturing.
Polestar now acknowledges its original “no colors, no rear windows, no conventional generations” plan failed and unveils a reboot: it will keep an EV-only stance but introduce color and more emotional interiors, while laying out a roadmap that includes a 2027 Polestar 2 successor and a 2028 Polestar 7, plus a revised Polestar 4 with a long roof and rear window. The Polestar 5 remains a sedan/GT, and naming conventions aim to avoid locking the brand into past concepts, signaling a shift toward clearer product evolution rather than continual rebranding.
Polestar confirms it will offer Apple's CarPlay Ultra in future electric vehicles, although no specific timeline has been provided. CarPlay Ultra, which offers deep integration with vehicle systems, is currently available in Aston Martin models and is expected to be adopted by other automakers like Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis over the next year or more.
Polestar is set to release its own smartphone, co-developed with Meizu, featuring an innovative 21:9 aspect ratio and running Xingji Meizu’s FlyMe OS, due to the absence of Android Auto and Apple CarPlay in the Chinese market. The phone is expected to seamlessly integrate with Polestar vehicles, offering features like accessing vehicle data through an AI-powered voice assistant. This move reflects the increasing integration of technology and automotive industries in China, as Polestar aims to future-proof its models with accompanying devices that work seamlessly with infotainment systems.
Polestar, the electric vehicle company, has teased the launch of its own smartphone, which appears to be a rebranded version of the Meizu 21 Pro running a custom OS called PoleStarOS. The phone is expected to integrate tightly with the Polestar EV ecosystem, offering a compelling reason for Polestar EV owners to make the switch. Sporting a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset and a 50 MP main camera, the phone is set for an April 24th launch and could potentially rival any future Tesla smartphone.
Ford has slashed prices of its F-150 Lightning electric pickup truck by up to $5,500 in an effort to boost sales, while Polestar's sales have dropped 40% in Q1. The NTSB is investigating a fatal crash involving a Ford Mustang Mach-E using the BlueCruise driver assist feature, and the EPA is cracking down on toxic chemicals used in the auto industry.
Waymo receives a permit to operate a commercial robotaxi service in Los Angeles, San Francisco Peninsula, and on San Francisco freeways, while Fisker announces a 15% staff cut and seeks collaboration with Nissan for an electric pickup truck. Polestar secures a $950 million loan to support its EV plans, and Range Energy raises $23.5 million for electric powered trailers. Meanwhile, Apple cancels its autonomous electric car project, GM stores Cruise Origin robotaxis, and Motional plans to cut 5% of its workforce. Additionally, Xiaomi unveils its first electric car, and Amazon stops selling the Ring Car Cam.
Volvo plans to sell 62.7% of its stake in EV maker Polestar and cut off funding, aiming to focus on its own development as it transitions to lead in next-gen mobility. Despite the sale, Volvo will retain influence over Polestar and continue collaboration. Geely, Polestar's parent company, will support the EV maker financially and operationally. Polestar is set to launch new models, while Volvo also has an exciting lineup of EVs launching this year. Polestar's stock is down over 8% following the news, reflecting a broader downturn in EV stocks.
Polestar's upcoming smartphone, developed by Meizu, has been listed as compatible with Google Play, confirming it will run on Android. The device, expected to be named the Polestar Phone, will feature a triple-rear camera and a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 processor. Manufactured by Meizu for Polestar, the phone is initially targeted for the Chinese market, with potential for a global release.
Hertz missed Q4 earnings expectations, citing challenges with its electric vehicle (EV) fleet, and plans to reduce the number of EVs in its fleet to improve profitability. The company reported a net loss of $348 million in the fourth quarter, with a significant portion attributed to depreciation related to Tesla EVs. Hertz is selling about 20,000 Tesla EVs and plans to invest the proceeds into gas-powered cars, while also delaying the purchase of Polestar's EVs. Despite the earnings miss, Hertz's stock rose 8% as investors responded positively to the cost-cutting measures, although the company's business model remains high risk due to owning its vehicles outright and potential future repurchases at lower prices.
Hertz has paused its plan to purchase 65,000 electric vehicles from Polestar, following its decision to sell off 20,000 EVs due to high repair costs. This move reflects a broader slowdown in the electric vehicle market, with major automakers reevaluating their EV investments. The pause is a setback for both Hertz and Polestar, as the rental company faces potential losses on its existing EV fleet, and Polestar struggles to attract customers amid the wider EV slump.