- Allegedly, Polestar has closed all of its direct-to-consumer shops in China, besides one in Shanghai.
- The dearth of gross sales has precipitated Chinese language media to take a position that the model might exit China earlier than the tip of the yr.
- Polestar says it’s “assessing one of the best path ahead for (its) operations within the Chinese language market.”
On one hand, it looks like Polestar is lastly turning a nook. The Sino-Swedish model has struggled as of late, no due to 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 is probably not the best deal available on the market, however the South Carolina-made Polestar 3 and coming-soon-to-America Polestar 4 have accomplished so much to raise the model’s gross sales stoop.
Globally, the model moved 30,319 automobiles—a rise of 51% in comparison with final yr. It seems like Polestar is rebounding into an EV success story for each market, proper?
Not so quick. In China, the house of its mum or dad 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 & CoPolestar has by no means actually resonated in China. (The Polestar 2 has been an astoundingly uncommon sight on our journeys to the nation.) The dearth 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 advantage, both; in accordance with reporting from CarNewsChinaPolestar has closed down all of its direct-to-consumer shops in China other than one in Shanghai. The web buying portal is shut down, and take a look at drives should be scheduled by way of telephone name to the one remaining retailer.
“China stays one of many world’s largest but in addition best EV markets,” a Polestar spokesperson instructed InsideEVs. “Along with Geely, we’re assessing one of the best path ahead for our operations within the Chinese language market, with a give attention to attaining higher profitability and stronger synergies throughout the Group.”
It’s not completely 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 is probably not sufficient to go in opposition to the Denza (Byd) or Avatr fashions which might be chock stuffed with screens, price much less, and have enjoyable occasion methods, like the power to moonwalk right into a parking house. Minimalism would not lower it in a new-money nation like China; these patrons love purple paint, shiny inside ligthing, tons of apps and luxury in visitors jams over corner-carving.
Additionally, there’s loads of inside competitors inside its mum or dad firm, Geely. Why purchase a Polestar when you may have a Zeekr? Or a Lynk & Co? Or a Good?
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 major retooling of the way it’s run. Maybe which means 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 4and the favored Polestar 2 will make a comeback ultimately too.
However maybe these automobiles are destined to seek out success elsewhere on the planet.
Contact the creator: kevin.williams@insideevs.com
