Will the 2022 Polestar be able to achieve sales figures like the Tesla Model 2?

Without giving specific numbers, the Polestar CEO definitely expects the Polestar 2 to sell well.

The recently launched Polestar brand has big plans for the Australian market, looking to generate significant sales despite the local market's moderate appetite for EVs so far.

Speaking to media at the 2022 Polestar 2 launch event, global brand CEO Thomas Ingenlath spoke of the drive to break through to mainstream audiences with record-breaking prices (starting at $59,990 before travel) despite being positioned as a premium alternative. rivals like Porsche.

When asked if the brand expects sales figures to be the same as the similarly priced Tesla Model 3, which shipped just over 9000 units to Australia in 2021, Mr. Ingenlath replied bluntly: “Yes, we have bulk sales. expectations from vehicles like the Polestar 2.”

“It is important that we are commercially successful, but I want to make a distinction with Tesla – we are not the kind of brand that targets the mass market to compete with the Volkswagen Group,” he said.

“We still want to maintain this premium and luxurious position. This does not mean that, apart from the Polestar 2, we will only produce cars worth over $150,000. Not like Aston Martin.

“We want to position ourselves somewhere between Tesla and Aston Martin. I think there is room in the premium market for this entry-level step."

Mr. Ingenlath highlighted other brands he sees as more direct competitors for the Polestar 2's target audience, such as BMW and Audi. The brand also promised that its next models, including the Polestar 3 Aero SUV, the Polestar 4 midsize SUV and the Polestar 5 GT, will be more prestigious than the Polestar 2 crossover. out of four cars will be 290,000 cars.

The Polestar 2 EV crossover has an attractive price point and a bold crossover coupe design.

Interestingly, the brand's local division doesn't necessarily expect its sales structure to follow the successful Tesla Model 3, where the lion's share of sales comes from entry-level standard rear-wheel drive.

“We expect there will be a lot of interest in a single-engine long-range motor to address range concerns,” explained local brand managing director Samantha Johnson, acknowledging that the brand expects to learn a lot about customer preferences. starting with its first local deliveries scheduled for February 2022. The mid-range Long Range 2WD car starts at $64,900 and provides a range of up to 540 km on the WLTP cycle from a 78 kWh battery. The $59,900 base standard 2WD range offers 440km from its smaller 69kWh battery.

Brand executives, both locally and internationally, expect strong demand for vehicles with rear-facing safety features, a 360-degree parking camera, and adaptive cruise control for a $5000 pay-per-view for the front-wheel drive standard line and long-range options. actions.

Local Polestar executives point out that if you add a Safety or Plus package to a base car, you still can't get the $3000 discount on an electric car in New South Wales and Victoria.

Not only does the Polestar 2 beat big competitors like the Nissan Leaf e+ and Hyundai Ioniq 5, it also qualifies for electric car discounts in New South Wales and Victoria.

How, you ask, did Polestar achieve such high prices for its first mass-market model? Aside from Australia's proximity to China, where most Polestar models will be made, there's a puzzling price difference between cars heading here and cars heading to the US or UK on the rare occasions that Australians get a better deal.

Polestar's new market communications boss Brent Ellis explained: “One of the factors that makes it difficult to compare prices with these markets is the heavy tariff situation with products traveling from China to the US. import situation.

The Polestar 2 will be available exclusively by online order in January 2022. Potential buyers will be able to see the vehicle in person during temporary Polestar "activations" at retail locations, followed by permanent "Polestar locations" at retail outlets at every metropolitan Darwin bar.

The first Polestar Spaces are expected to open around the middle of next year. Polestar products will be able to use at least part of the Volvo network for service and after-sales support.