Polestar starts manufacturing the Polestar 3 in the USA

Polestar has started production of the Polestar 3 at its US plant in South Carolina. This makes the electric SUV the first Polestar to be produced on two continents. However, the US production is not a departure from China: Polestar Technology has now opened its headquarters in Nanjing. (UPDATE BELOW)

But first to the Polestar 3: The plant in South Carolina manufactures the e-SUV for customers in the USA and Europe, supplementing the production in Chengdu, China, which has been running since February 2024. However, the US production is not a reaction to the EU’s special tariffs on imports of electric cars from China, but was already planned beforehand – full production with body construction, battery supply chains and other supplier parts is not set up within a few weeks or months, but requires years of planning.

US production does not take place in a Polestar-owned plant or, as in China, in a factory belonging to the parent company Geely, but at Volvo. The Swedish company has been operating a plant in Ridgeville near Charleston, South Carolina for several years. The S60 combustion model was initially built there, but the EX90 electric flagship SUV now also rolls off the production line. The Polestar 3 shares the platform and much of the technology with the EX90.

The Swedish-Chinese brand unveiled its first electric SUV back in October 2022. Production was actually due to start in 2023, but software problems delayed the series production of the Polestar 3 and its sister model, the Volvo EX90. Originally, the Polestar 3 was due to roll off the production line in Chengdu from mid-2023. This was delayed until February 2024.

The most important data on the vehicle in brief: the first model designed from the outset as a Polestar delivers 360 kW in the dual-engine version with a maximum torque of 840 Nm. With the optional Performance Package, the total output is 380 kW and 910 Nm. In June, Polestar presented a rear-wheel drive version with 220 kW of power as a basic model – in the UK, this lowers the entry-level price to less than 70,000 pounds. The battery has a nominal capacity of 111 kWh for all three drive systems. The Polestar 3 is charged via an 11 kW AC onboard charger or via DC with up to 250 kW. Like the EX90, the Polestar 3 will also be equipped with its charger for bidirectional charging. This means that it will also be possible to offer vehicle-to-grid functions in the future.

“Manufacturing Polestar 3 in the USA is a crucial step for us. Now we offer customers in America an electric SUV that is built in America. Exporting the South Carolina produced Polestar 3 to Europe will strengthen our business on a broader scope,” says Polestar CEO Thomas Ingenlath. “Polestar 3 has received superb reviews from global automotive media, with strong customer test drive interest.”

Polestar also confirms its intention to further diversify its “wider manufacturing footprint.” From mid-2025, the Polestar 4 crossover will also be built in South Korea. Production at the contract manufacturer Renault Korea Motors in Busan was first announced in November 2023. The Polestar 4 based on the Geely SEA platform is currently being built in Hangzhou Bay in China.

With the other production sites outside China, Polestar is broadening its base, but is not turning its back on China. Polestar Technology has officially started operations in Nanjing, China, with the opening of its headquarters. Polestar Technology is a joint venture between the electric car brand Polestar and the Chinese technology company DreamSmart Group, which is developing an operating system for Polestar cars sold in China, including in-car apps, streaming services and intelligent vehicle software. Local development is therefore being intensified.

Update 4 November 2024

A few months after the start of series production this summer, Polestar has started deliveries of the Polestar 3 produced in South Carolina to customers in the US and Canada. The press photo shows a Polestar 3 being handed over to a customer in front of the Austin, Texas location.

“From our retail partners to our employees, I’m extremely proud and excited for the delivery of U.S.-built Polestar 3’s making their way to customers,” said Anders Gustafsson, Head of Polestar North America. “Polestar 3 plays a pivotal role in our brand’s expanding lineup as an SUV designed for the North American market, proudly assembled in South Carolina, and now being handed over to North American customers.”

polestar.com (Polestar 3), gasgoo.com (Polestar Technology), businesswire.com (update)