Our 2025 Polestar 3 is an orphan. That’s right, I’m now driving a car from a brand that will soon cease to exist in the United States. How’d this happen? Unfortunately for Polestar, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security did not grant it the necessary authorization to sell cars here starting in model year 2027 and onward.
An unprecedented blow, this means Polestar has effectively been banned from the U.S. On the bright side, the brand and its retailers assured owners that warranties remain intact and that they will continue supporting owners with service, over-the-air software updates, and more. Essentially, nothing changes for owners at the time of this writing, but that may not be the case later on, especially once Polestar sells off its remaining stock of new and used vehicles.
As an owner and enthusiastic supporter, this gives me plenty of mixed feelings. I’m likely one of only a few to own more than one Polestar vehicle, let alone a third. My partner and I bought these cars because we believe in the brand, especially with its commitment to sustainability. We love the way these cars drive and appreciate their timeless Scandinavian elegance. It’s the Saab of the modern age (literally), or a sporty sibling to Volvo. And if you were wondering, yes, Volvo received the authorization that Polestar failed to secure despite having the same parent company, China’s Geely. It’s unfair, I know. More so when you find out that Volvo builds the Polestar 3 for Polestar in South Carolina alongside the EX90.
For those who want a more in-depth exploration of Polestar’s sudden departure from the U.S., check out The Drive. My friend and colleague Joel Feder has excellent pieces on this topic. Check out his bio and publications here.
Betrayal? Not Really
To those on the outside, this appears to be a betrayal. In a way, it is, especially for those in the know. However, in other ways, it’s not. Keep in mind that Polestar and its retailers reassured owners that they’ll continue to support us, as I noted above. It’s definitely disappointing, especially because this arm of the U.S. government did not appear to have anyone familiar with the auto industry to help make this decision.
No one in that room likely knew that Polestar supported American jobs by contracting Volvo Cars USA to build the Polestar 3 alongside the EX90 in Ridgeville, South Carolina. It’s possible none of them knew that Polestar vehicles rely heavily on Google for infotainment and multimedia software. However, that’s potentially just the tip of the iceberg. We may not fully know what truly happened and what led the Bureau of Industry and Security to that decision.
2025 Polestar 3: What Now?
What do we do now? Despite our disappointment that the U.S. government pushed out a brand we love so much, we press on to finish our 27-month lease. However, it also means leaving the brand is the only option after that. Where do we go after that? No car in the U.S. market, gas, hybrid, or EV, has the Scandinavian flavor of sportiness and performance we crave. The second-generation Volvo EX40, which is the next vehicle on the SPA3 architecture and a sibling to the upcoming Polestar 7, may fulfill that desire. That’s if Volvo decides to fill in that niche with Polestar leaving the U.S.
For now, all we can do is enjoy our 2025 Polestar 3. Over the last eight months, this lifted wagon masquerading as an SUV continues to excite. We have huge smiles on our faces every time we get behind the wheel. We look for excuses to go out for a drive because this EV loves a good winding road like Angeles Crest (more on that in a later update). Yes, the software could still use improvements, but it’s still better than what launched with the car. On the other hand, the epic Bowers & Wilkins premium audio system continues to impress. Hands down the best listening experience in a car.
With that said, excuse us while we go find some crazy reason to go drive. See you on the next update!
