Polestar Moves Polestar 3 Production Fully to the U.S.
Polestar is consolidating production of its flagship Polestar 3 electric SUV in South Carolina, with Chinese production set to end by the close of the year. According to the InsideEVs report, the Polestar 3 is currently built in both Chengdu, China, and at Volvo’s Ridgeville plant in South Carolina, but going forward it will be assembled exclusively in the U.S. for global customers.
This is a notable manufacturing shift for the Swedish EV brand. It makes the Polestar 3 the only U.S.-made vehicle in Polestar’s portfolio and signals a stronger emphasis on production efficiency and supply-chain simplification as the company scales its global operations.
A Strategic Manufacturing Consolidation
Polestar had previously described the move as part of a plan to “consolidate manufacturing” of its flagship SUV in Charleston to drive efficiencies. While the company did not specify all of the reasons behind the change, the article notes that tariffs on Chinese-made vehicles and parts likely played a role in the decision.
The shift also allows Polestar to make fuller use of Volvo’s manufacturing footprint in South Carolina, where the Polestar 3 is produced alongside the related Volvo EX90. That operational alignment could help streamline production and reduce the complexity of managing two factories for the same product.
Why the Move Matters
The decision reflects a broader pattern in the EV sector, where manufacturing location is becoming as important as product strategy. For automakers operating across multiple regions, production flexibility, tariff exposure, and logistical efficiency are increasingly shaping where EVs are built and how they are brought to market. This Polestar move fits squarely within that shift.
It also comes at an important moment for the company. InsideEVs reports that Polestar posted record retail sales of 60,119 vehicles last year, up 34% from 2024, while also reporting $1 billion in operating losses. The report adds that Volvo will convert roughly $274 million into additional shares, on top of $300 million in financing confirmed last year. Together, those figures show a company still investing in growth while tightening its operating model.
A Bigger Signal for the EV Industry
Beyond Polestar itself, this development highlights how EV growth is now tied not only to demand and innovation, but also to manufacturing resilience. The next phase of electrification will depend on where companies place production, how efficiently they scale, and how well they adapt to changing trade and market conditions. Polestar’s decision to anchor its largest EV in South Carolina is a clear example of that transition in motion.
What It Means for EVIS America
This is exactly the kind of industry development that matters to the EVIS America audience. As EV companies refine manufacturing strategies, the conversation is expanding beyond product launches to include production efficiency, regional supply chains, and global competitiveness.
That is where EVIS America 2026 becomes especially relevant. Taking place on November 3–5, 2026 in Toledo, Ohio, the event brings together automakers, suppliers, innovators, and decision-makers to explore how electrification is being scaled across manufacturing, technology, infrastructure, and commercial deployment.
Source:
• InsideEVs original article: https://insideevs.com/news/792137/polestar-3-us-factory/
