Polestar has officially begun production of its highly anticipated electric SUV, the Polestar 3, at its facility in Chengdu, China. This marks a significant milestone for the company as it becomes the first Polestar model to be manufactured on two continents.
The Polestar 3 is also set to be produced at another facility in Ridgeville, South Carolina, USA, with production scheduled to begin in mid-2024. According to Polestar CEO Thomas Ingenlath, the start of production in Chengdu is a crucial step forward for the company’s expansion plans.
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“This stunning car takes a significant step forward with the start of production, marking an important milestone on our journey from a one- to three-car company this year,” said Ingenlath. “We have also achieved launch readiness at the factory in Ridgeville, South Carolina, and are well on track with our plans to start manufacturing Polestar 3 in the USA.”
While Polestar has not provided specific details about the assembly process in Chengdu, the company has confirmed that the first early test series at the American plant has been successfully completed.
The Polestar 3 is the third model in Polestar’s lineup, following the Polestar 1 and Polestar 2. The Polestar 4, the company’s fourth model, has been in production at the Geely plant in Hangzhou Bay since November. The first units were delivered in China before the end of the year, contributing to the brand’s overall deliveries for 2023.
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Despite the successful start of production, Polestar did not specify when exactly the Polestar 3 will be delivered to customers. Ingenlath previously stated that the first deliveries are expected “in the summer.”
The Polestar 3 was unveiled back in October 2022 and was originally scheduled to enter production in 2023. However, software problems delayed the series production of the Polestar 3 and its sister model, the Volvo EX90.
Key specifications of the Polestar 3 include a dual-engine version delivering 360 kW with a maximum torque of 840 Nm. With the optional Performance Package, the total output increases to 380 kW and 910 Nm. The battery has a nominal capacity of 111 kWh, and the Polestar 3 can be charged via an 11 kW AC onboard charger or via DC with up to 250 kW. The vehicle is also equipped with a charger for bidirectional charging, enabling vehicle-to-grid functions in the future.
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In the UK, the Polestar 3 Long Range Dual Motor is priced from £83,200, with the Performance package costing an additional £5,600. This pricing is slightly lower than originally announced at the world premiere. While a Standard Range variant with a smaller battery has been suggested for the future, Polestar has not yet confirmed its production plans.
