Polestar introduced right now that manufacturing of the Polestar 3 crossover has began in Chengdu, China, the identical place the place it builds the Polestar 2 sedan. Within the not-too-distant future—in the course of 2024—the Polestar 3 will enter manufacturing in South Carolina, U.S., turning into the model’s first mannequin produced on two continents.
It may possibly’t come quickly sufficient. The Polestar model, a product of the Geely Group household and a detailed cousin to Volvo, has been scuffling with slowing gross sales and doubts about its future. Even Volvo just lately introduced it could take a step again as an investor within the model.
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Polestar plans 5 fashions by 2026
With the Polestar 3 and Polestar 4 becoming a member of the Polestar 2, the corporate expanded its lineup from one to a few fashions. By 2026, Polestar intends to supply additionally Polestar 5 four-door GT and Polestar 6 roadster.
In line with Polestar, the primary early manufacturing take a look at sequence within the American manufacturing facility has been accomplished efficiently. After China, the Polestar 3 will likely be produced at Volvo Automobiles’ Ridgeville, South Carolina plant, alongside the Volvo EX90 three-row crossover.
Polestar 3 Manufacturing In Chengdu, China
Polestar 3 Manufacturing In Chengdu, China
“This gorgeous automobile takes a major step ahead with the beginning of manufacturing marking an vital milestone on our journey from a one- to three-car firm this 12 months,” Polestar CEO Thomas Ingenlath mentioned. “Now we have additionally achieved launch readiness on the manufacturing facility in Ridgeville, South Carolina, and are nicely on monitor with our plans to start out manufacturing Polestar 3 within the USA.”
The all-electric model may use the increase these days. Gross sales in 2023 elevated solely barely in comparison with 2022, reaching roughly 54,600 models. At current, the Polestar 2 sedan is the one automobile in its lineup. The corporate is decreasing its workforce globally amid “difficult market circumstances.” Furthermore, whereas model now hangs totally on Geely Holding, as Volvo Automobiles determined to cut back its stake within the Polestar.
Loads now relies on the gross sales of the Polestar 3 and Polestar 4 fashions. Nonetheless, whereas the model badly wants crossovers, the Polestar 3 is quite costly; the base Lengthy-Vary Twin Motor mannequin begins at $83,900, whereas the Lengthy Vary Twin Motor Efficiency Pack begins at $89,900. It’s positioned as a competitor to the Audi Q8 E-Tron or BMW iX.
The Polestar 4 is the model’s “mass-market” crossover and ought to be an much more essential mannequin, even when it would not include a rear window. Manufacturing of that automobile started final 12 months in China and it’ll even be constructed on the Renault Korea Motors (RKM) joint-venture plant in South Korea from 2025 onward, additionally permitting it to flee steep Chinese language tariffs. The Polestar 4 is predicted to start out at a way more affordable $60,000 or so.
All in all, Polestar has extra coming to market quickly. The query within the U.S. will likely be the way it hangs on till these automobiles arrive.