POLESTAR WILL EXPAND ITS MARKET FOOTPRINT further in 2021 with the addition of five new markets in the Asia Pacific region. These markets will join three new and previously announced European markets, bringing Polestar’s global footprint to 18 markets by the end of the year. The new markets include South Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia and New Zealand.
“The brand is gathering real momentum, and it is great to be expanding with Polestar 2 beyond our initial global markets in China, North America and Europe,” says Thomas Ingenlath, CEO of Polestar.
Polestar is an independent company and, so we are told, will not be operated by existing local Volvo Cars enterprises. However, Volvo Cars may assist in the establishment of the Polestar brand and manage servicing and maintenance of Polestar vehicles.
Polestar shares specific technological and engineering synergies with Volvo Cars and benefits from significant economies of scale as a result. The company is headquartered in Gothenburg, Sweden, and retails its vehicles in ten global markets across Europe and North America, and in China.
Polestar produces two electric performance cars. The Polestar 1 is a low-volume electric performance hybrid GT with a carbon fibre body, 454kW, 1,000Nm and an electric-only range of 124 km – the longest of any hybrid car in the world. The Polestar 2 electric performance fastback is the company’s first fully electric, high volume car. Polestar 2 launched in 2020 with an all-wheel drive electric powertrain that produces 300kW and 660Nm, with a maximum range of 470 km.
In the future, the Polestar 3 electric performance SUV will join the portfolio, as well as the Precept – a design study vehicle released in 2020 that is slated for future production. Precept showcases the brand’s future vision in terms of sustainability, digital technology and design.
Preparations in Asia Pacific markets are at different stages as the brand organises market launches and eventually the opening of online sales. Specific dates and details for each market will be published locally to include model specification and product pricing.
In South Korea and Australia, local independent Polestar sales units are being established and new Managing Directors have already been appointed. Jongsung Ham will head up Polestar in South Korea, and in Australia the local organisation will be led by Samantha Johnson. The other markets will likely be operated on an importer basis, with local partners to be confirmed in due course.
“Specific roll-out timing is at an advanced planning stage and the recruitment of key individuals has begun,” comments Nathan Forshaw, Polestar’s new head of the China and Asia Pacific regions. “While we are growing rapidly, we are ensuring both our organisation and processes ensure a consistent and truly Polestar experience for our customers, wherever they are based.”
Exact model specifications and pricing information will be confirmed closer to market launch timing.