Polestar has removed the Polestar 2 from the header of its U.S. website, a move that reflects the broader impact of tariffs on vehicle availability and competition in the American market.
The Polestar 2, the company’s first fully electric vehicle, was initially produced in 2020 in Luqiao, Zhejiang, China, a key factor contributing to its removal.
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While Polestar’s newer EV, the Polestar 3, is produced in South Carolina, the Polestar 2’s production location means it faces tariffs that affect its competitiveness and pricing in the U.S.
This move comes amid a series of tariff changes that have affected the U.S. auto industry. In 2024, U.S. President Biden introduced a 100% tariff on Chinese electric vehicles, which significantly impacted the sale of EVs like the Polestar 2.
Polestar had previously used exceptions tied to Volvo’s U.S. manufacturing to keep the higher-priced versions of the Polestar 2 available in the U.S., while restricting the availability of lower-priced versions. However, the latest round of tariff announcements, which do not include these exceptions, may have contributed to the company’s decision to remove the Polestar 2 from its U.S. website.
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Polestar confirmed that while the Polestar 2 is still available for purchase in other markets, including Norway and the UK, it is now focused on its newer models, the Polestar 3 and Polestar 4, in North America. Despite the Polestar 3’s starting price of $67,500 for the base model, a significant increase compared to the Polestar 2’s original $50,000 price, the company emphasized that these newer models would be the priority moving forward.
Polestar responded to inquiries, stating, “Polestar is a three-car company and Polestar 2 is available for customers now. There are a select number of Polestar 2s in stock at retailers that can be found on Polestar.com, but Polestar 3 and Polestar 4 will be the priority in the North American market.” This marks a pivotal shift in the company’s strategy amid the evolving tariff landscape.
Source: Electrek