Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Retail sales volume increased by 36% to over 44,000 cars in the first nine months of 2025 [9] - Revenue grew by 49% to approximately $2.2 billion in the first nine months of 2025 [10] - Adjusted EBITDA loss improved by 8% to $561 million [12] - Net loss for the third quarter was $365 million, with a gross margin of negative 6% [14] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Retail sales in the third quarter grew by 13% year-on-year, with revenue increasing by 36% to $748 million [13] - Polestar 3 and Polestar 4 accounted for 65% of retail sales [9] - Carbon credit sales amounted to $104 million under the new EU pooling agreement, a significant increase from below $1 million in the same period in 2024 [11] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Europe remains the main market, representing over 75% of global deliveries, with notable growth in Belgium (40%), Netherlands (37%), Germany (46%), Norway (63%), Sweden (41%), and the U.K. (100%) [5] - South Korea showed exceptional growth of 430% [6] - The U.S. market represented only 8% of retail sales for the first nine months of 2025, down from 16% in 2024 [10] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on transforming commercial operations, increasing retail footprint, and improving operational efficiency [4] - A shift in platform strategy was announced, utilizing group technology platforms for future models [6] - The company plans to continue optimizing operations and expects to end the year with approximately 2,000 employees, down from 2,500 [7] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged significant external headwinds, including tariff and pricing pressure impacting profitability [9] - The company aims to drive growth through an active selling model and leverage its attractive model lineup [15] - Future guidance is expected to be provided in early 2026 [8] Other Important Information - The company raised $200 million in new equity from PSD Investment Limited [15] - A reverse stock split is planned to change the ratio of American depositary shares to ordinary shares [15] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you help us bridge the walk for gross margin? - Management noted ongoing pricing pressure and higher production costs due to duties, alongside an adverse mix effect from sales [18][19] Question: Can you comment on OPEX spending trends? - Management indicated a significant decrease in fixed costs, driven by optimized marketing expenses and headcount reduction [21][22] Question: How is the company adapting its business plan in light of the new EU-US trade agreement? - Management discussed local production setups and the introduction of Polestar 4 to the U.S. market, which has lower duties [26] Question: What is the new effective rate of interest on Polestar's debt portfolio? - Management confirmed that most of the interest is floating, with no significant change to the previous rate [28] Question: Can you provide an update on capital needs and liquidity? - Management reported a monthly cash burn of around $136 million, with expectations for increased cash burn due to legacy CapEx [33] Question: What opportunities is Polestar pursuing in autonomy? - Management highlighted partnerships with Mobileye and the importance of balancing performance with higher levels of autonomy [36][38]

Core Viewpoint - Polestar announced a reverse stock split to reduce the number of existing shares while increasing their value, aiming to retain investor confidence amidst ongoing losses in the electric vehicle market [1] Company Summary - The reverse stock split is part of Polestar's strategy to enhance its stock price and appeal to investors [1] - The company is currently facing challenges as a loss-making electric vehicle manufacturer [1] Industry Summary - The electric vehicle industry is experiencing significant pressures, with companies like Polestar striving to maintain investor interest despite financial losses [1]

Core Insights - Polestar has shut down its two R&D sites in the UK and laid off 130 staff as part of a strategic shift to centralize R&D efforts in Sweden [1][2] - The decision follows the completion of engineering work for the Polestar 5 model, indicating a focus on streamlining operations [2] - The company is facing financial challenges, reporting a net loss of $1.03 billion in Q2 2025, while also experiencing a significant cash burn [3] Company Strategy - Polestar is centralizing its R&D work at its headquarters in Sweden to create a leaner organizational structure [2] - The company aims to focus on developing high-performance electric vehicles (EVs) [2] Market Position - Polestar's sales in the UK reached a record of 2,758 vehicles last month, but still lag behind Tesla, which had nearly 8,000 new registrations in the same period [3][4] - The company has increasingly shifted its focus to Europe due to challenges posed by US tariffs on the global auto industry [3] Workforce Changes - In January 2024, Polestar announced plans to cut 450 jobs globally, representing about 15% of its workforce [4]

Core Insights - Automakers are forming alliances to purchase carbon credits from electric vehicle companies to avoid potential fines from the European Union, which could reach up to 15 billion euros ($17.5 billion) [1][8] - The European Commission has allowed compliance based on average emissions over the period of 2025-2027, rather than solely on 2025 levels [1] Alliances and Collaborations - Nissan has formed a pool with Chinese EV giant BYD in October [3] - KG Mobility from South Korea partnered with Chinese EV maker Xpeng at the end of September [4] - Tesla established a pool in January with Stellantis, Toyota, Ford, Leapmotor, Mazda, and Subaru, with Honda and Suzuki joining in March [5] - A separate pool formed in January includes Mercedes, Volvo Car, Polestar, and Smart Automobile, with Geely holding significant stakes in these companies [6] Market Trends - Electric vehicles accounted for 12% of total European light vehicle sales last year, projected to rise to 15% this year, and expected to reach 24% by 2027 and 40% by the end of the decade according to AlixPartners [7]

Group 1 - Polestar has closed its last remaining direct store in China, located in Shanghai, as part of a strategic adjustment to better align with the rapidly changing consumer demands in the Chinese market [3][6] - The company is shifting to an online sales model, allowing consumers to access product information and complete purchases through digital channels [3][6] - Polestar, a Swedish high-end electric vehicle brand, was acquired by Geely under Volvo in 2015 and entered the Chinese market in 2017, launching several models including Polestar 1, Polestar 2, Polestar 3, and Polestar 4 [3][4] Group 2 - Polestar has faced significant challenges in establishing a clear and recognizable brand identity in China since its entry, with a wide pricing range from 1.45 million RMB for Polestar 1 to around 250,000 RMB for Polestar 2 [8] - The brand's unclear positioning has led to consumer confusion regarding whether it competes as a luxury performance brand or a cost-effective electric vehicle brand [8][9] - The company has struggled to differentiate itself in the competitive Chinese market, failing to establish a strong technological narrative or emotional connection with consumers [9][10] Group 3 - The Chinese electric vehicle market has become increasingly competitive, with companies engaging in price wars and upgrading configurations to attract consumers [10] - Polestar has experienced instability in its leadership, changing its China region head six times in six years, which has contributed to a lack of coherent strategy and operational efficiency [10] - The company needs to optimize resource allocation globally and strengthen its competitive advantages to succeed in the international electric vehicle market [12]

Core Insights - Polestar, once considered a strong competitor to Tesla, has closed its last physical store in China, located in Shanghai, as part of a strategic adjustment to better align with the rapidly changing consumer demands in the Chinese market [2][3] - The company's stock price has plummeted over 90% since its initial public offering, with a current market capitalization of approximately $1.87 billion [5][6] Company Strategy - Polestar is shifting to an online sales model, allowing consumers to access product information and complete purchases through digital channels [2] - The company has faced significant management turnover, with seven different leaders in the China region over eight years, and a complete overhaul of its global management team [6] Market Performance - In the first half of 2023, Polestar's sales in China were dismal, with only 69 vehicles sold, and zero deliveries in April and May [6] - In contrast, Polestar has seen growth in other global markets, with a 51.1% year-over-year increase in global sales, totaling over 30,000 vehicles in the first half of 2023 [6] Product Offering and Pricing - Polestar's pricing strategy has been inconsistent, with significant price reductions on models like the Polestar 2, which saw its price cut from 418,000 yuan to 298,000 yuan shortly after launch [4] - The latest model, Polestar 4, is priced starting at 299,900 yuan but lacks advanced features like lidar, leading to concerns about its market viability [5]

Core Viewpoint - Polestar, once considered a strong competitor to Tesla, is undergoing significant strategic adjustments in China, including the closure of its last physical store in Shanghai, while shifting to an online sales model to adapt to the rapidly changing consumer demands in the market [1][2]. Group 1: Company Overview - Polestar is a Swedish electric vehicle brand founded in 2017 by Volvo and Geely, initially seen as a formidable rival to Tesla [2]. - The company went public in June 2022 through a merger with SPAC Gores Guggenheim, achieving a peak market capitalization of $27.629 billion [5][6]. Group 2: Market Performance - Polestar's stock price has plummeted over 90% since its IPO, currently trading at less than $1, with a market cap reduced to approximately $1.867 billion [7]. - The company has struggled with product positioning and pricing strategies, leading to poor sales performance, particularly in China, where only 69 vehicles were sold in the first half of 2023 [9][12]. Group 3: Strategic Adjustments - In response to ongoing challenges, Polestar has implemented cost management measures, including a hiring freeze and a 10% workforce reduction [9]. - The management team has experienced significant turnover, with seven different leaders in the China region over eight years and a complete overhaul of the global executive team [11]. Group 4: Global Sales Performance - Despite challenges in the Chinese market, Polestar has seen growth in other global markets, with a 51.1% year-over-year increase in global sales, totaling over 30,000 vehicles in the first half of 2023 [12]. - The cumulative global sales of Polestar 2 reached approximately 373,000 units, while Polestar 4 exceeded 231,000 units [12].

Core Insights - Polestar, once considered a strong competitor to Tesla, has closed its last direct sales store in China, located in Shanghai, as part of a strategic adjustment to better align with the rapidly changing consumer demands in the Chinese market [1][2] - The company's stock price has plummeted over 90% since its initial public offering, with a current market capitalization of approximately $1.867 billion, down from a peak of $27.629 billion [2][4] Company Performance - Polestar's sales in China have been dismal, with only 69 vehicles sold in the first half of 2025, and zero deliveries in April and May [6] - In contrast, Polestar has seen significant growth in other global markets, with total global sales exceeding 30,000 units in the first half of 2025, representing a year-on-year increase of 51.1% [7] Strategic Adjustments - The company is shifting to an online sales model, allowing consumers to access product information and complete purchases through digital channels [1] - Polestar has undergone significant management changes, with a complete overhaul of its global executive team, including the CEO, CFO, and COO [6] Product and Market Challenges - Polestar's product offerings have faced criticism for lacking competitive advantages and a dedicated electric vehicle platform, relying instead on Volvo's electric vehicle development [3] - The company has struggled with inconsistent pricing strategies, exemplified by the drastic price cuts of the Polestar 2, which left consumers with a negative perception [4]

Core Viewpoint - Polestar Automotive is facing significant challenges in the Chinese market, having closed its last direct store in Shanghai and reported extremely low sales figures, indicating a strategic shift in its business model to adapt to the rapidly changing consumer demands in China [2][3]. Sales Performance - Polestar's sales in China from 2021 to 2024 were 2048 units, 1717 units, 1100 units, and 1726 units respectively, with a drastic decline in 2025 where the monthly sales never exceeded 100 units [7][8]. - In the first nine months of 2025, Polestar's total sales in China were only 79 units [9]. Financial Performance - Polestar has accumulated a net loss of $59.68 billion over the past four and a half years, translating to over 425 billion RMB at current exchange rates [13]. - As of mid-2025, Polestar's total assets were $36.43 billion, while total liabilities reached $79.09 billion, resulting in a debt-to-asset ratio of 217%, indicating severe insolvency [14]. - The company's revenue from 2021 to 2024 was $13.37 billion, $24.62 billion, $23.68 billion, and $20.34 billion respectively, with net losses of $10.77 billion, $4.66 billion, $11.82 billion, and $20.5 billion [12]. Strategic Changes - Polestar has shifted to an online sales model following the closure of its Shanghai store, indicating a strategic adjustment to its operations in China [3]. - The company signed a termination agreement in April 2025 with its joint venture partner, Starry Meizu Group, to end their business operations in China, allowing Polestar to regain distribution rights in the Chinese market [10][9]. Recent Developments - In June 2023, Polestar announced a $200 million equity investment from PSD Investment Limited, controlled by Geely Holding Group's founder, to support its operational funding needs [13]. - Despite a 56.5% year-on-year increase in revenue in the first half of 2025, the net loss expanded to $11.93 billion, a 119.4% increase from the previous year, with a gross margin of -49.4% [12].

Core Insights - Polestar's third-quarter vehicle sales experienced significant growth, driven by strong demand in Europe despite challenging macroeconomic conditions [1] Group 1: Sales Performance - The company reported a notable increase in vehicle sales during the third quarter, indicating robust market performance [1] - Demand in Polestar's home market of Europe remained resilient, contributing positively to sales figures [1] Group 2: Macroeconomic Context - The automotive industry is facing a tough macroeconomic backdrop, characterized by tariffs and other economic pressures [1] - Despite these challenges, Polestar managed to maintain strong sales, showcasing the brand's competitive position in the market [1]