The automotive landscape continues to change with the road looming for automakers due to constant policy changes coupled with everyday political winds. Today’s victim is Polestar.
On Thursday, Polestar announced it would cease operations in the US and focus on Europe. The decision is a direct result of the U.S. Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security failing to grant the automaker authorization under the current connected vehicle rule to sell cars in the U.S. through model year 2027 and being forced to do so.
Polestar spokesperson said drive The automaker will continue to sell existing stock as it does today. However, moving forward Polestar will stop marketing and selling new cars in the US market.
“Customers will enjoy the same access to service and customer care as they do now,” the spokesperson said.
The spokeswoman said marketing and staff reductions will occur relatively quickly and that no 2027 model year vehicles have yet gone to the US.
Today, Polestar has approximately 100 employees in the US with 32 dealers. Those dealerships will remain in place to provide support and service to existing Polestar vehicles and customers. Dealers will sell through existing inventory and then sell used vehicles as well to support service efforts, the spokesperson said.
Polestar currently sells two models, the Polestar 3 and the Polestar 4. The former is a sportier, swoopier two-row version of the Volvo EX90, while the latter is a high-riding fastback crossover with no rear window.
In February, Polestar announced its plans to reboot and regroup. Its sale in the American market stopped after five months.
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