GOTHENBURG, Sweden—Volvo Cars’ Polestar division plans to produce its new electric SUV at the Volvo assembly plant in Ridgeville, SC.
“Polestar 3 will be built in America, for our American customers,” says Thomas Ingenlath, CEO of Polestar. “I remember the great response when I first shared [our] vision in the United States and I am proud that our first SUV will be manufactured in South Carolina. From now on, the USA is no longer an export market but a home market.”
The Ridgeville plant was opened in 2018 by Volvo Cars. “Polestar’s ability to share a production facility with Volvo Cars highlights the significant industrial and financial synergies it generates as result of its ownership structure,” claims Ingenlath.
“Production in the United States reduces delivery times, as well as the environmental impact associated with shipping vehicles around the world,” adds Dennis Nobelius, chief operating officer at Polestar. “It will even have a positive impact on the price of Polestar 3. All of this makes the brand even more competitive.”
According to Nobelius, the manufacturing announcement also underlines Polestar’s commitment to the American retail market, which is undergoing a period of rapid expansion. The brand plans to open 25 retail “spaces” across the country this year. “The [facilities] offer customer conveniences, such as home test drives, free pick-up and delivery servicing,” says Nobelius.
