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Polestar, the electric performance car brand jointly owned by Volvo and Zhejiang Geely Holding, has opened its first production facility in the southwestern Chinese city Chengdu. It will produce vehicles for both China and global export markets with the first customer deliveries expected before the end of the year.
A new industry benchmark in EV manufacturing
In an interview with CGTN, Thomas Ingenlath, the Chief Executive Officer of Polestar, says the new production center, launched on August 27, sets a new industry benchmark in electric vehicle manufacturing, and will produce the Polestar 1, an exclusive, carbon fiber-bodied Electric Performance Hybrid.
The Polestar 1, which boasts 600 hp and 1,000 nm of torque, becomes the most premium new energy vehicle to be manufactured in China, the world's largest EV market. The inauguration underlines China’s maturing industrialization, an improving reputation for quality manufacturing, and, crucially, access to the right skills.
Staff of Polestar works on Polestar 1, a plug-in hybrid coupe, inside its new production center in southwest China's Chengdu City. /Photo courtesy of Polestar
Polestar cements position as stand-alone vehicle OEM
Thomas Ingenlath told CGTN that the Chengdu factory means Polestar has become an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) and producer of vehicles. He added that it marks a crucial moment in the history of Polestar, and plays a crucial part in ramping up its capacity.
Talking about the increasingly competitive EV market, Mr. Ingenlath said Polestar has been well prepared. He thinks that the uniqueness of Polestar’s products will make the success, and shared with CGTN that the brand Polestar aims to add something to the industry, and to add something to the electric automobile industry that does not exist yet.
The Polestar 2 is a full-electric midsize sedan. Production is due to start in early 2020 at Geely's Luqiao plant. / Photo by Polestar.
Polestar to minimize fallout from China-U.S. trade war
On potential fallout from the China-U.S. trade war, Thomas Ingenlath shared with CGTN that Polestar has an interest in an expanded global market, including the Europe, China and Canada. He said the company has a strong interest in America, which is a target market for both the Polestar 1 and Polestar 2, and he wants the U.S. to be part of the story.
Commenting on the influence of technology on EV markets, Mr. Ingenlath told CGTN that a successful and modern product has to be much broader and richer than just concentrating on the electric drive, and technology should be involved to bring comfort into the car, and provide convenience to customers.