- Allegedly, Polestar has closed all of its direct-to-consumer shops in China, besides one in Shanghai.
- The shortage of gross sales has triggered Chinese language media to take a position that the model might exit China earlier than the tip of the 12 months.
- Polestar says it’s “assessing the very best path ahead for [its] operations within the Chinese language market.”
On one hand, it appears like Polestar is lastly turning a nook. The Sino-Swedish model has struggled as of late, no because of tariffs on Chinese language-made items. Fortunately, Polestar is shifting its manufacturing to different components of the world in response because it broadens its lineup past one electrical sedan.
The semi-discontinued Polestar 2’s simplified U.S. lineup will not be the best deal available on the market, however the South Carolina-made Polestar 3 and coming-soon-to-America Polestar 4 have accomplished lots to elevate the model’s gross sales stoop.
Globally, the model moved 30,319 automobiles—a rise of 51% in comparison with final 12 months. It appears like Polestar is rebounding into an EV success story for each market, proper?
Not so quick. In China, the house of its father or mother firm Geely Group and the nation the place the Polestar 2 is made, the model is performing abysmally. For the primary half of 2025, Polestar has solely managed to promote a whopping 69 automobiles. No, that’s not a typo.
Regardless of Geely possession and the success of associated manufacturers like Zeekr and Lynk & Co, Polestar has by no means actually resonated in China. (The Polestar 2 has been an astoundingly uncommon sight on our journeys to the nation.) The shortage of automobiles offered has led some Chinese language media to take a position that the model might quickly shut up store in China.
It’s not a rumor with out benefit, both; based on reporting from CarNewsChina, Polestar has closed down all of its direct-to-consumer shops in China except for one in Shanghai. The net buying portal is shut down, and take a look at drives have to be scheduled through telephone name to the one remaining retailer.
“China stays one of many world’s largest but additionally best EV markets,” a Polestar spokesperson instructed InsideEVs. “Along with Geely, we’re assessing the very best path ahead for our operations within the Chinese language market, with a give attention to attaining higher profitability and stronger synergies inside the Group.”
It’s not totally clear why Polestar flopped in China, however I do have an inkling as to why.
As spectacular because the Chinese language EV market is, it tends to be extremely value-oriented. Polestar’s lineup of crossovers (and a sedan) with Scandinavian vibes and sporty driving dynamics will not be sufficient to go in opposition to the Denza (BYD) or Avatr fashions which might be chock filled with screens, price much less, and have enjoyable social gathering methods, like the flexibility to moonwalk right into a parking house. Minimalism does not lower it in a new-money nation like China; these patrons love purple paint, brilliant inside ligthing, tons of apps and luxury in visitors jams over corner-carving.
Additionally, there’s numerous inner competitors inside its father or mother firm, Geely. Why purchase a Polestar when you would have a Zeekr? Or a Lynk & Co? Or a Sensible?
Picture by: BYD
So, maybe there’s some reality to this rumor. It’s not clear if Polestar will shut up store in China, however there might find yourself being a big retooling of the way it’s run. Maybe which means that Polestar will get a brand new product? The model has already introduced its intention to launch the Polestar 7, a extra conventional compact SUV to fit with the three and 4, and the favored Polestar 2 will make a comeback ultimately too.
However maybe these automobiles are destined to search out success elsewhere on the planet.
Contact the creator: kevin.williams@insideevs.com
