Polestar, the Swedish electric performance car brand, is expanding its manufacturing footprint by introducing the production of the Polestar 4 in Busan, South Korea, starting in the second half of 2025. This diversification follows manufacturing in Hangzhou Bay, China, and an agreement between Polestar, Geely Holding, and Renault Korea Motors (RKM).
Under this agreement, RKM’s Busan plant will engage in contract manufacturing of Polestar 4 vehicles for the North American and domestic South Korean markets. The Busan plant, which boasts direct access to exporting ports and 23 years of vehicle manufacturing experience, is committed to reducing its CO2 emissions by 50% by 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2040 through energy efficiency improvements and the adoption of renewable energy sources.
Polestar adopts an asset-light approach to development and manufacturing, leveraging its partners’ and major shareholders’ competence, flexibility, and scalability, thus eliminating the need to invest in its own facilities.
Thomas Ingenlath, CEO of Polestar, expressed his satisfaction with the manufacturing expansion, highlighting the company’s growth ambitions, with production operations in five factories across three countries. Polestar 3 is set to begin production in Chengdu, China, in early 2024 and in South Carolina, USA, in the summer of 2024.
Stéphane Deblaise, CEO of Renault Korea Motors, emphasized the importance of the partnership and the production of Polestar 4 as the first full-battery electric vehicle in the Busan plant. He also recognized the potential for Renault Korea Motors in the future, thanks to strong shareholders, Renault Group and Geely Group.
The Polestar 4, introduced at the Shanghai Auto Show in April 2023, is an SUV coupé and the fastest Polestar production car to date. Positioned between the Polestar 2 and the upcoming Polestar 3 in terms of size and price, it features design cues from Polestar’s concept cars.
