Polestar will soon no longer be selling cars in the US, following the ruling of the Department of Commerce. It’s a story that seems a little familiar, given Fisker’s disappearance in 2024, but there are some very key differences this time around. Thankfully, the difference in circumstances means Polestars will not immediately become the burden that Fisker models did, and the automaker looks keen to reassure customers of that very fact.
Authorization Denied: Polestar’s Chinese Ownership Sees It Banned From The US
Polestar 4. EV. All-electric. e-Crossover. Wheel. AlloyPolestar
Under the Biden administration,the Connected Vehicle Rulewas introduced. It’s a regulation upheld by the Department of Commerce that effectively bans the sale of passenger vehicles in the US which use Chinese or Russian software or hardware, in the name of national security.
It’s that rule which has recently seen Polestar blocked from selling cars in the US from the 2027 model year onward. The decision doesn’t come as a huge surprise, given Polestar is majority-owned by Chinese automotive group Geely. Interestingly, it looked as if Volvo may have been headed in the same direction, but after some discussion, Volvo was granted an exemption and can continue to sell its cars in the US. Polestar, on the other hand, opted not to appeal the decision.
The decision isn’t a massive blow to Polestar as an automaker, as only 6% of its Q1 sales came from the US, and just getting that 6% came at the expense of huge discounts. Where the real problem lies, though, is with the owners, not the automaker. We’ve seen a similar situation with Fisker in recent years, filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and leaving its customers to figure out updates, maintenance, and repairs themselves. Fortunately, the situation surrounding Polestar is quite different, and so the outlook for existing owners does not look so bleak.
Polestar Still Exists As A Global Brand
2026 Polestar 3Polestar
The key saving grace and main difference here is that Polestar still exists and will continue operations in other markets around the globe. In fact, despite dwindling sales in the US, Polestar’s success is only building on a global scale, with 2025 being the automaker’s best year on record so far, although 2026 is quickly shaping up as another record-setter.
“Our record sales in 2025 and the first quarter of 2026 show that we are making strong progress, with several new market launches taking place in Europe this year,” — Polestar CEO, Michael Lohscheller.
What this means is that cars and parts will still continue to be made, which is entirely different from the Fisker situation. With the sale of new Polestar models ceasing in the US—existing Polestar 3 and Polestar 4 stock will continue to be sold in the meantime—it may mean extended wait times are necessary for owners to obtain maintenance and repair items. But at the very least, they should remain accessible.
It’s worth noting that Volvo’s South Carolina Plant currently handles production of the Polestar 3. The future of this facility is as yet undecided, so whether it will continue to produce Polestar parts—and indeed the Polestar 3 for export markets—or shift to focus entirely on Volvo production is unknown. Volvo is yet to announce any changes to the plant’s current purpose, so while the future of Polestar 3 production is uncertain, the writing is certainly not on the wall.
Polestar Lost America, But Fisker Lost Everything
That’s where the major differentiator between Fisker and Polestar can be found. Fisker owners were faced with the prospect of owning and maintaining a car that had completely exited production, with the automaker itself disappearing from the market, taking parts production and supply with it.
2023 Fisker-Ocean front quarterFisker
Fisker owners have to rely on community-driven support networks and salvaged parts in order to keep their cars updated, serviced, and maintained, whereas US-based Polestar owners may still benefit from the continuing of US-made parts. If that were to continue, then getting hold of Polestar parts may be just as quick and easy as ordering Ford or Chevy spares.
Polestar Commits To Providing Continued Support For Existing Customers
Polestar 4Polestar
While Polestar CEO Michael Lohscheller has confirmed Europe as the automaker’s primary focus, in addition to outlining plans to invest in other markets such as Southeast Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin America, and Canada, the firm has at least reassured existing US customers that it wouldn’t be turning its back on them.
To be precise, a June news release states “the Company will continue to sell existing stock of Polestar 3 and Polestar 4 in the U.S. and will continue to support customers, including providing access to its service network.” That tells us that customers can expect servicing through Polestar’s authorized service network to continue. Furthermore, Polestar has published the ‘Polestar Promise’ online for US customers, which outlines in some detail what owners can expect.
The Polestar Promise confirms that routine maintenance and repairs for current and new owners can be tackled via the already established service network, in addition to confirming that US customer service channels will remain open and accessible. In fact, it’s pretty much business as usual for the banished brand, with genuine parts promised for servicing and repairs, the guarantee that warranties will be honored as per their original terms, and the assurance that over-the-air software updates will continue as before.
Again, this stands in stark contrast to what Fisker owners experienced when the automaker filed for bankruptcy. Fisker’s financial collapse meant it no longer had the finances, staff, or resources to fulfill warranty obligations, and so owners faced a very different reality. Those obligations didn’t necessarily disappear, but with no functioning automaker left to carry out the work, owners were left very much on their own.
Shared DNA Should Make Long-Term Ownership More Approachable
2026 Volvo Ex90Volvo2025 Polestar3 Long Range Dual Motor driving front 3/4 angle in grayPolestar
As the years roll on, warranty periods will end, factory service plans will finish, and it’s possible – and indeed quite probable – that those factory-backed channels of support will dwindle, before disappearing altogether. This is only speculation, but it does pose the question of what will long-term Polestar look like in a market that no longer allows the automaker to operate?
There stands a good chance that owners and specialists will rely on Volvo for parts and software updates, as the two automakers share much in common when it comes to software, hardware, and engineering philosophy. That, and the fact that parts may still be available on a global scale, direct from Polestar itself.
Sure, parts unique to Polestar models are unlikely to come direct from Volvo, but software updates, servicing parts, and much of the mechanical hardware that lies within the skin of Polestar models can likely be sourced through Volvo, and as we know, Volvo’s future in the US looks an awful lot more certain.
A Defunct Gamble, Or Electrified Bargain?
2026 Polestar 3Polestar
Existing customers will have to deal with the consequences, which don’t seem very dire at all, but the real conundrum comes for those who were – or are now – considering a new or used Polestar after the news broke. Is it best to steer clear now that Polestar is being pushed away from the US, or does it actually make ownership look all that more enticing?
It’s already been well documented that Polestar will move heaven and earth to acquire customers in the US, with discounts of up to $22,000 on the Polestar 3 and $14,000 for the Polestar 4, so it stands to reason that such deals, and perhaps even sweeter offers, will be on the table now that the automaker has to move on current stock.
Given the firm has quickly outlined that it wishes to honor warranty agreements and maintain service networks for owners, the actual experience for new owners doesn’t look to have changed much at all. The real question is what will happen in terms of depreciation. If Polestar models go the way of Fiskers once the factory support is dropped, then owners stand to lose a considerable sum come resale time, but if the Volvo connection helps to keep prices stable, then a heavily discounted Polestar just might be the best electrified bargain of 2026.
Sources: Volvo, Polestar.
