Volvo Cars has confirmed that Polestar, its wholly-owned subsidiary, will launch a range of electrified high performance cars. According to the company, the move to create a separately-branded company is the “latest stage in Volvo’s ongoing transformation.” The company will likely look to compete against Tesla Motors and BMW’s i division.
No details were given about what the first electric Polestar vehicles will be, including a suggested timeline until launch. However, the announcement is accompanied by photo of what should be the brand’s logo on a car, along with a few personnel revisions.
The latter sees Thomas Ingenlath, who is also senior vice president of design at Volvo, assume the position of chief executive officer at Polestar, taking over from Nick Connor. “Thomas heading up the Polestar organisation shows our commitment to establishing a truly differentiated stand-alone brand within the Volvo Car Group,” said Håkan Samuelsson, president and chief executive of Volvo Cars.
Ingenlath will be joined by Jonathan Goodman, who will act as chief operating officer at Polestar, moving on from his position as senior vice president of corporate communication at Volvo Cars.
The release also stated that Polestar “will enjoy specific technological and engineering synergies with Volvo Cars and benefit from significant economies of scale,” allowing it develop and build “world beating electrified high performance cars.” More information about the company’s plans will be provided in the autumn.
“I am really excited to take up the challenge of establishing this exciting brand, developing a fabulous portfolio of bespoke products and channelling the passion we have throughout the Polestar team. The next chapter in Polestar’s history is just beginning,” said Ingenlath.
Polestar has been the motorsport arm of Volvo since 1996, and was acquired fully by Volvo Cars in July 2015. With this announcement, Polestar will offer Polestar-branded cars that will no longer carry a Volvo logo, as well as optimisation packages for Volvo’s range of cars under the Polestar Engineered brand.
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Will Polestar also develop electric performance cars for Proton? After all, same group mah.
I am sure Polestar will love to tune a Proton up and make electrified Protons
Polestar would love to tune up and tighten the loose screws in Kunta Kinte instead
Electrification is the future. Porsche 918, The Ferrari The Ferrari and McLaren P1 is proof of it.
Just rely on tradition alone cannot cut it. Even Honda Civic Type-R no more high rev NA machine, and may possibly become AWD in the future.
Polestar > all
Lotus > all
WOW more R&D money money come
Toyota, Future of EVs.
Not likely Proton will have EV as people wont pay for a high priced car with Proton badge. It can’t be priced low either as the cost of the Li-ion & motor is high. Hybrid is a different matter & more if a possibility for Proton.
Hybrid is neither here nor there. Cost of tech for battery and motor is alredi same with full EV. Only diff is limited mileage of EV and wud pipu pay 80k for EV Iriz.