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Polestar Shuts Last China Store, Moves Sales Online as Europe Rebounds

Company cites a strategic reset in China following the unwinding of a local distribution venture.

Overview

  • The Shanghai L+Plaza location has closed, with Polestar saying other China operations continue and owners’ rights remain unchanged.
  • The brand is shifting to an online sales model in China, with a company insider report describing a temporary pause in online purchasing and test drives booked by phone during fourth-quarter adjustments.
  • China demand has slumped, with 69 registrations in the first half of 2025 after 1,864 sales in 2024, and the vehicle configurator currently reachable via WeChat.
  • European registrations hit 5,718 in September, more than double August, including a UK monthly record of 2,758 and notable gains in Sweden, Norway, Germany, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, and Italy.
  • A multi-country production footprint—Polestar 2 in Zhejiang, Polestar 3 in Chengdu and South Carolina, Polestar 4 in Hangzhou Bay with Busan output planned—drives registration volatility, as the company targets over 180 European retail sites by 2027.