Polestar - ‘Significant Doubt’ over Future

Trying2SaveABuck on 16/09/2025 - 11:07

The chief executive of struggling car maker Polestar says it will continue operating despite significant challenges.

Polestar lost more than $US1 billion ($1.5bn) in the second quarter of the year and published a warning to investors that the company’s current performance may “cast significant doubt about Polestar’s ability to continue as a going concern”.

The brand, owned by Chinese giant Geely, makes most of its cars in China, the world’s largest market for electric cars.

But Polestar has effectively stopped selling cars in China.

https://www.news.com.au/technology/motoring/motoring-news/po…

Feels like this was 'inevitable' and is the begining of a greater EV car consolidation that is probably healthy for the industry?

Poll Options

  • 230
    Not suprised Polestar struggling
  • 15
    Im suprised Polestar is struggling
Automotive Polestar Electric Vehicle

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Comments

  • lachhelix on 16/09/2025 - 11:09
    +27

    It's a shame because I reckon they look quite nice - but 2 mates who have them are constantly having electrical issues.
    To make matters worse while they're "in the shop" both of them get MG loan cars for the 3 weeks

    • Charmoffensive on 17/09/2025 - 12:32
      +6

      Exterior looks nice, but the interior is pretty spartan.

      • surg3on on 18/09/2025 - 09:34
        +1

        I kinda like the spartan look but it doesnt matter as their price is not competitive

      • meong on 19/09/2025 - 05:47
        +1

        I sat in one of the latest ones and wow the touchscreen display is so awful it looks like a cheap android tablet menu…

        • Charmoffensive on 19/09/2025 - 11:25
          +1

          Yeah, it definitely doesn't feel premium on the inside.

    • wiltonson on 17/09/2025 - 13:36
      +4

      The part they get MG as a loan car really dented their reputation. They could have loan out a Geely EX instead.

  • askbargain on 16/09/2025 - 11:15
    +4

    Shame another Tesla killer going down :(

    • Charmoffensive on 17/09/2025 - 12:33
      +17

      Turns out Musk opening his mouth was the biggest Tesla killer of them all.

  • Stewardo on 16/09/2025 - 11:19
    +3

    Don’t they share a platform with the other brands link n co zeekr Volvo, in the parent companies group? I think the value in this brand for geely would have been the engineering r&d, not the brand itself. If they’re undercutting themselves selling similar products under different brand it probably wouldn’t sell well.

    • Cluster on 16/09/2025 - 12:47
      +27

      I thought a polestar was an exotic dancer.

      • jv on 16/09/2025 - 14:15
        +9

        a very good one.

        • VerticallyIntegrated on 18/09/2025 - 12:34

          I’m waiting for a brand to name their cars - Krystal and Methany

    • Jimothy Wongingtons on 16/09/2025 - 13:16
      +14

      it actually blows my mind chinese companies can spend sooooo much on bringing the brand/product out…and just skimp on workshopping a regional specific name that will market better.

      • lachhelix on 16/09/2025 - 13:34
        +5

        I assume they were trying to trick people into thinking they're same as the OG Polestar/Volvo collab

      • Brick Tamland on 16/09/2025 - 14:08
        +10

        It's based off the performance arm of Volvo. Like AMG to Merc

        • MS Paint on 16/09/2025 - 14:13
          +1

          Is that the same as an A200 AMG Line?

          • Brick Tamland on 16/09/2025 - 14:21
            +7

            @MS Paint: Just like AMG its gets continually watered down until the name means nothing

            • Nalar on 16/09/2025 - 15:45

              @Brick Tamland: That 'M' I saw on a 1996 314 BMW means it goes fast right?

              • Ade99 on 17/09/2025 - 08:06

                @Nalar: Incorrect..it is the value add, white strip down the side of the body that makes it go quicker!

                • Nalar on 17/09/2025 - 09:52
                  +1

                  @Ade99: Not the Red and Blue bars in the front Grill?

        • serpserpserp on 17/09/2025 - 22:33

          They are high yielding investments

      • corvusman on 17/09/2025 - 09:47
        +3

        Polestar was a Sweedish racing team brand, which was acquired by Volvo and became its performance & tuning division. Geely then used this brand for its EV operations.

    • gee-man on 17/09/2025 - 07:21
      +6

      So you’re probably mispronouncing polestar or molester. Or both.

      • Jake D on 17/09/2025 - 10:55
        +2

        Nope, it's definitely pronounced polestar.

        • serpserpserp on 17/09/2025 - 22:34

          No. Definitely pronounced Worldstar

      • banana365 on 18/09/2025 - 19:10
        +2

        That's what happens when you're constantly polesting yourself.

    • LFO on 17/09/2025 - 13:57

      Protester OK?

    • buckethat on 19/09/2025 - 19:52

      Don't think you're pronouncing it right if you think they rhyme lol.

      Tip: it's not Po-les-star..

  • BargainMe on 16/09/2025 - 12:31
    +19

    Should never have been spun off from Volvo

    • Trying2SaveABuck on 16/09/2025 - 12:34
      +14

      I agree might of been easiler to sell with a Volvo badge oppose to building a entire new brand

      • gromit on 17/09/2025 - 07:05
        +1

        At its price point it was always going to be a very niche hard sell.

    • Trying2SaveABuck on 16/09/2025 - 12:47

      It will happen in the great EV rush. It's a shame the traditional makers haven't really joined in, but there is a lot of space in the EV sector to take.

      BWM has just spent 17bn Euros upgrading factoris and Mercedes 'apprently' have a battery that can last for over 800km and charge faster then anything the Chinese have….

      ill note the Chinese also believe they can charge a battery in under 5mins

      it isnt that they arent trying it is a 'tech' rush of innovation the issue is they dont want to have their tech replicated by the competitors - everyone on here thinks China will dominate but i actually think the Europeans will eventually come out on top the Germans, Japanese and Italians have been innovating cars for 200 years

      • whyisave on 17/09/2025 - 20:42
        +1

        thinks China will dominate but i actually think the Europeans will eventually come out on top the Germans, Japanese and Italians have been innovating cars for 200 years

        China has a dominance of the rare earths necessary for harnessing electricity

      • smartazz104 on 18/09/2025 - 09:45

        and Italians have been innovating cars for 200 years

        Look at the state of the Italian car industry right now…

    • mboy on 16/09/2025 - 13:48
      +22

      You still have Tesla but I think it will go the way of Facebook and be irrelevant/sit somewhere in the background if it's not already.

      Why do you think this exactly? Every EV thread it seems you never miss an opportunity to dump on Tesla. Is it a political thing?

      They are widely regarded as being at the forefront of car tech, not only for EV's, but across all car manufacturers. While other EV manufactures are advancing in battery tech (BYD in particular has shown notable recent advances), Tesla are absolutely hands down in the lead when it comes to their driver-facing software stack (infotainment, integration, drive assistance, autonomous driving via neural net and AI training).

      Meanwhile, most other car manufacturers still can’t design a decent infotainment interface to save their lives, which is the reason many have resigned to offering Carplay / Android Auto, so they can constantly de-prioritise having to develop any new software IP, which comes with it's own long term risks in an increasingly software-driven world. My parents recently bought a brand new Mazda, and the on-board software feels like it's stuck in the early 2000's.

      Will Tesla still be leaders in this area in 5-10 years time? I can't say for sure, but you seem pretty confident they won't be. I'd posit they've got a pretty good track record so far, and a good head start.

      • DingoBilly on 16/09/2025 - 14:10
        +1

        Their lead is declining significantly and I honestly question the notes you make on their driver-facing software stack. Their autonomous driving and safety software has led to multiple deaths due to flaws which the company has covered up and lies about so while it's good it has flaws. And I personally think the design choice of having everything on a tablet is absurd. Completely brain-dead decision.

        I do make these comments because it seems fairly obvious Tesla is in decline and has been for many years. They've completely squandered their lead and keep going backwards with new decisions. Or have you forgotten the cyber truck? Or taking out features from new models? It's bizarre. The earlier models also had significant quality issues, which while better now still exist.

        They lie to consumers about their self-driving software and ask people to pay a massive premium upfront. It's honestly absurd and they should be taken to court for it IMO. People just paying for a promised feature that never arrives. And they honestly are behind self-driving at the moment due to their insistence on not using lidar.

        When I was test-driving EVs I was just honestly blown away why anyone considers them top of the line. I don't think they're leaders in the space now let alone in 5-10 years.

        They have a big cult following though, and definitely were revolutionary 5-10 years ago so I'll give them that. I think people just got sucked in after and haven't updated their views and are subject to the goodwill and hype they built up in the first few years.

        But people can be irrational for longer than others being rational, that has been proven time and time again. At this point I really fail to see why you'd buy a Tesla, especially if you test drive them all and compare features for price.

        • mboy on 16/09/2025 - 14:32
          +8

          No doubt they've made mistakes. And I couldn't agree more than the Cybertruck is a pos. I applaud them for developing the most unique-looking (or maybe weird-looking is a better word) truck on the road, but that's about where my kudos for the Cybertruck ends.

          Yes, their autonomous driving features have caused accidents and deaths. The proportion of which are related to user error are disputed. No one in the world expects features like these to be rolled out flawlessly. Emergent tech just doesn't work like that. Anyone availing these features should be hyper vigilant, especially at such an early stage.

          And they honestly are behind self-driving at the moment due to their insistence on not using lidar.

          So this is where you go from being "just my opinion" to just being wrong. Tell me one commercially available vehicle (that you can purchase and drive yourself, Waymo doesn't count), that matches the current capability of Tesla's FSD? You can't.

          Could that change in the future? Sure. But you said "they honestly are behind self-driving at the moment". They are not.

          Their lead is declining significantly

          And yet somehow with the onslaught of Chinese EV's since last year, they still have the best selling EV on the market in Australia. People on the internet love to talk about the "decline of Tesla", and yet I can't turn a street in Melbourne without seeing one of the latest Model Y's despite only releasing 3-4 months ago.

          At this point I really fail to see why you'd buy a Tesla, especially if you test drive them all and compare features for price.

          I did that last year. I test drove and documented a range of sedan EV's in excel and compared each, and I ultimately chose the Model 3. I'm curious, and be honest, have you done that?

        • klaw81 on 16/09/2025 - 14:34
          +9

          At this point I really fail to see why you'd buy a Tesla, especially if you test drive them all and compare features for price

          The current Model 3 and Model Y are both still very favorably reviewed by reputable motoring reviewers all around the world, and widely considered to be the benchmark by which all other EVs in their classes are judged. There is absolutely zero doubt they remain highly competitive with their competitors on quality, price and features. They still maintain a significant technological lead in energy efficiency and user interfaces in particular.

          Having said that, I also agree that they've mostly lost their focus these days. The Cybertruck is a joke, the S and X are both badly outdated, and they should absolutely be working on replacements for the 3 and Y but as far as I can tell they're not.

        • changyang1230 on 16/09/2025 - 17:55
          +9

          I own two EVs i.e. a Tesla Model 3 and a Kia EV9. While I’ve decided not to buy Tesla again because of the implications of supporting Musk financially, I’ll still say this: Tesla is an absolute joy to drive. The level of customisation, the intuitive design of autosteer and adaptive cruise control, the one-tap update to match the speed limit from road signs etc, it all makes for the most fun and seamless driving experience I’ve ever had.

          Yes, there’s a learning curve for those accustomed to traditional car interfaces, but once you get past that initial adjustment, the integration and “geek-friendly” design are unmatched. It’s not the right car for everyone, but for me who loves tech and features, it’s been close to perfect.

          • Drj55 on 17/09/2025 - 09:32

            @changyang1230: The main issue with Tesla seems to be a complete lack of direction from the CEO. Focused on robots with no mention of sorely needed new models. Yes there is some bluff about the 2 and the Roadster but, let's be real, if there was anything even remotely close to production they'd be crowing it from the rooftops.

            • Euphemistic on 17/09/2025 - 17:07

              @Drj55: Yep. Captain ketamine canr concentrate long enough to build the company properly. Hes just in it for the announcements and share prices to go up.

        • p1 ama on 17/09/2025 - 23:51
          +2

          But people can be irrational for longer than others being rational, that has been proven time and time again. At this point I really fail to see why you'd buy a Tesla, especially if you test drive them all and compare features for price.

          I think you're confounding three things, which are separate questions:

          1. The actual cars that Tesla produces (i.e. the Model 3 and Model Y, for us in Australia)
          2. Tesla the company
          3. Elon Musk

          It is possible to believe that Elon Musk is a fascist, and that Tesla the company has been deceitful about the potential of FSD, whilst still believing that their cars are great. Liking Tesla cars is not an endorsement of the politics of Elon Musk, nor are they an endorsement of the ethics of Tesla (the company) more broadly and their repeated failure to deliver on FSD. Similarly, the Cybertruck being a disaster doesn't impact on whether a Model 3 or Model Y is a good car.

          I've recently test driven quite a number of EVs (and also own 2 EVs, and others in my family own another 2, all of which are different models), so I have quite a bit of recent experience. My view is that both the Model 3 and Model Y are well-balanced offerings - almost like a "Toyota Camry of EVs", where I could find certain things that other brands or models did better, but overall, as a package, the Model 3 and Model Y were both very good cars.

          I think you could definitely make less of an argument for the Model Y, given the many new mid-sized SUV competitors. However, I do think the Model 3 is genuinely one of the best options in its class, perhaps the only competition is the BYD Seal (but the Model 3 has significantly better driving dynamics).

  • Cluster on 16/09/2025 - 12:47
    +2

    The cars are nice but there's too much competition in China for Polestar to survive. Chances are dozens of Chinese EV makers over there will fail within a few years. As of 2024 there were around 200 EV makers just in China.

    Polestar's sales have been pretty woeful worldwide and I can't see the company surviving. Want to see what happens to EV resale value when the parent company fails? Have a look at the price of Fisker EVs.

    • corvusman on 17/09/2025 - 09:51

      I guess, no one knew that 'prestige' end of EVs market is a dead end.

      • Euphemistic on 17/09/2025 - 17:10
        +2

        Its not really a dead end. It just requires a particular badge to be prestige, and you cant expect what is effectively a new brand to have any badge snobbery attached. Seems to be plenty of market for porsche EVs. Merc and BMW etc seem to have enough brand snobery to get away with premium prices on their EVs.

  • boomramada on 16/09/2025 - 13:04
    +4

    But Polestar has effectively stopped selling cars in China.

    That tells it all.

  • pegaxs on 16/09/2025 - 13:34
    +4

    Not surprised. Not enough people associate the brand with being "premium" and in a sea of cheap Chinese EVs, a very expensive Chinese EV with hidden roots dressed up as a Volvo product isn't going to sell to average consumers.

    Obviously the current price point isn't selling the cars at the required rate. They need to either look at either reevaluating the pricing model or they need to find a way to widen the margin, and that last one is harder to do.

    Polestar's biggest problem is themselves and their "legacy car maker" strategy.

    • p1 ama on 17/09/2025 - 23:43

      a very expensive Chinese EV with hidden roots dressed up as a Volvo product isn't going to sell to average consumers

      Do you reckon they'd be more successful had they just branded as Volvo rather than Polestar?

  • Dollar General on 16/09/2025 - 13:36
    +5

    A poll on polestar

  • Brick Tamland on 16/09/2025 - 14:10
    +2

    Share price down to 32c says it all really. Its a dead brand

  • JimB on 16/09/2025 - 14:16

    I think the cars may be folded into the Volvo brand. They should have done this from day 1 rather than have a separate brand/dealership.

    The Polestar 3 & 4 are great looking cars.

    Like Merc, BMW, Porsche, Polestar are finding it hard to sell electric electric cars.

    • mboy on 16/09/2025 - 15:08

      The Polestar 3 & 4 are great looking cars.

      I reckon the Polestar 2 also looks great. The visual lines give it a bit of a muscle look. Shame though that the best parts of the car appear to be skin deep.

      • JimB on 16/09/2025 - 15:32
        +1

        I think the Polestar 2 looks handsome but not sporty like the Polestar 3 & 4.

        Polestar 2 interior space is compromised because its platform is based on a Volvo ICE car. Newer Polestar is based off an EV platform.

        Polestar 3 would be a great car to buy used in an a couple of years. The depreciation on it (like Merc, BMW, Porsche EVs) would be massive.

        • mboy on 16/09/2025 - 15:38

          Polestar 3 would be a great car to buy used in an a couple of years. The depreciation on it (like Merc, BMW, Porsche EVs) would be massive.

          I just looked up the Polestar 3: MSRP starts at AU$116,754. Granted, it's the first time I'm looking at the car, but is that crazy? How do they justify a price like that?

          • JimB on 16/09/2025 - 15:50
            +1

            @mboy: It's a stunning car but very pricey.

            I think there's a small market for for expensive EVs.

            Porsche are finding that our with their Electric Macan (and Taycan), so much so they are fast tracking a petrol SUV to replace the petrol Macan.

          • 11112007 on 17/09/2025 - 08:42
            +1

            @mboy: There are some banger deals for the P3 via some novated lease companies. Polestar have discounted the base car plus pilot pack to under LCT cap. I think Flare is one of the providers that can access the deal, september only.

  • plmko on 16/09/2025 - 14:34

    Range was too big and they kept on getting more expensive. Meanwhile they never fixed their electrical/software issues. Manager/spokes people were way too arrogant despite their underdog position.

    Says it all.

  • Shame on 16/09/2025 - 15:37

    The best thing a Polestar owner can do now is park it on a street in Melbourne and hope it gets stolen.

  • Euphemistic on 16/09/2025 - 16:21

    Like any emerging market theres gonna be winners and losers. Being first, doesnt guarantee youll last longest.

    Be a shame to see polestar fail with their roots in volvo, but in reality its just another chinese car maker.

    Itll probably take at least another 5 years, .ore like 10, to settle in to whi is going to survive and who gets gobbled up by a other maker or just shut down.

  • ramb9 on 16/09/2025 - 17:16
    -1

    Looks like sales and revenue's up 50%+ though

    It does tell me for the near future, their recent releases have been very successful.

    It'd be a shame if they go under. Some proper nice concept cars making it into production by these guys.

    I do think their pricing strategy has been an absolute disaster though. Proper cannibalisation of their own business lol.

  • miwahni on 16/09/2025 - 21:19
    +1

    This news doesn't surprise. I had an Amazon driver turn up one time in a Polestar and I was keen to ask him about it - and despite being busy, he was keen to tell me what a POS it was. It was off the road quite often, mainly with electrical issues. His current (at the time) issue was that the screen would suddenly go blank when he was using maps to navigate, which as a delivery driver was a pretty important piece of tech. Car had been back numerous times trying to get it fixed. I'm not sure how true it was but he reckons the service manager told him not to bring it in any more for that problem as they were done trying to fix it. Doesn't sound right but that's what he said. Interior trim levels were crappy, roof lining was sagging etc. I was really surprised as I thought they were supposed to be a good car, especially at the price.

    • lachhelix on 17/09/2025 - 11:24

      His current (at the time) issue was that the screen would suddenly go blank

      Yep, that's what my mates has been doing

  • Far Cough on 16/09/2025 - 23:01
    +1

    time to just re-release a volvo 850r wagon

  • mrvaluepack on 17/09/2025 - 05:39
    +2

    There are 150 carmakers in china. No way that many can survive. Time for capitalism to weed out the weak.

    • smartazz104 on 17/09/2025 - 07:10
      +2

      At this rate they'll end up with some sort of conglomerate; they could name it the Chinese Motor Corporation.

      • BartholemewH on 17/09/2025 - 21:45
        +3

        They could name it the Chinese Car Program.

  • tenpercent on 17/09/2025 - 07:25

    Can you add an option for: what is polestar?

    • Ryanek on 17/09/2025 - 07:34

      Then you shouldn’t bother joining the conversation.

      • tenpercent on 17/09/2025 - 10:21
        +1

        I went with "Not suprised Polestar struggling".

      • gromit on 17/09/2025 - 11:34
        +2

        actually his comment reflects the greater market. Most people don't know who or what Polestar is. Polestar has failed to make a name for itself as such it is a very hard sell as it has the prestige pricetag without the prestige brand.

    • smartazz104 on 18/09/2025 - 09:47

      https://www.google.com/

      • tenpercent on 18/09/2025 - 11:46

        username checks out

  • V2L on 17/09/2025 - 07:44

    not surprised - there's way too much competition in China. Polestar is priced like a luxury car but falls short against its competition in that tier in every metric

    • V2L on 17/09/2025 - 08:49
      +5

      lol

    • StalkingIbis on 17/09/2025 - 09:17
      +8

      Which 5 year old car can you buy that doesn't have an ECU/software?

      • mjdau on 17/09/2025 - 11:21

        My 1990 Civic was (just) pre ECU. No smarts in the car. Loved it, wish I still had it.

        • StalkingIbis on 17/09/2025 - 11:46
          +9

          That would be a fantastic answer to my question if I asked it in 1995.

    • gromit on 17/09/2025 - 11:38
      +1

      ICE/EV BOTH are dependent on software and computers and you won't find much if anything that is 5 years old that isn't.

    • TightAl on 17/09/2025 - 11:44
      -2

      Boomer brain

    • smartazz104 on 18/09/2025 - 09:47
      +1

      You probably believe in clean coal too.

    • gezza90 on 19/09/2025 - 12:02
      -1

      I really am starting to doubt the OzB community if you have been downvoted so much. I am inclined to believe the demographics of OzB are Gen Z and late Millennials who show strong support for EVs.

      • klaw81 on 19/09/2025 - 12:32
        +1

        No, it's because it's just plain false…..and an obviously dumb claim if you think about it for a moment.

        Firstly, the amount of electronics in a 2019 model ICE vehicle (ie "5 or 6 years ago) and a 2025 EV are quite similar. Vehicles of all types have had multiple computer modules (body control units, engine control units, modules for various sub-systems) for at least 10 years. Technicians have been working with such electronics for many years now. EVs are being singled out for this criticism for no reason at all.

        Secondly, the level of mechanical and electrical complexity in a modern ICE and drivetrain is extremely high these days. A mechanic from the 90's would be absolutely lost trying to work on a modern car, and there's an absolute ton of stuff that can go wrong. In contrast, EVs are actually quite a lot less complex - they have far fewer moving parts, and the machinery is extremely simple - one or more electric motors direct-coupled to a differential, and some wiring to a control box connected to the battery. All of the other systems are simpler too, because they aren't coupled to an engine.

        Moreover, it's pretty clear that EV electronics are not incomprehensible and there's already a good level of knowledge about how to modify and repair EV components. There are already plenty of aftermarket motor controllers, battery management systems etc available and the EV modification / conversion scene is heating up rapidly. They're absolutely not an impenetrable "black box" that many assume. And if you think about it, we only understand the ridiculous complexities and inter-dependencies of an ICE and all its supplementary systems because it's something we've taken the trouble to learn about.

        And finally, lived experience shows that the software does actually get updated over time. Anyone who owns a Tesla knows that their car is genuinely getting noticeably improved in small ways with regular software patches, even though many of them are now 10 years old. And even if that's not the case - some manufacturers are far less proactive with software development - there is zero reason to believe the cars will somehow stop working because they're not getting software updates.

        I am inclined to believe the demographics of OzB are Gen Z and late Millennials who show strong support for EVs.

        Or maybe it's because EVs represent a significant improvement over ICE in many ways, and if you remove the emotional attachment / nostalgia component of ICE and "car culture" there are few logical reasons to avoid them.

        • gezza90 on 19/09/2025 - 12:49

          It depends which 2019 ICE vehicle you are referring to. The technology and architecture of a 2019 Kia Rio is different to a Merc GLE. Physical handbrake, 5sp manual, analogue dials and much less electronics on your smaller hatchbacks. Cannot assume that ALL ICE vehicles have entirely the same platform, inc. Engine and drivetrain. I don't disagree with the fact that EVs are superior in all aspects on paper. But you last point on 'emotional attachment' is a strong one, and the downvotes on the top comment seems to represent that. Gen Z and later Millenials don't have as much opportunity as we did 20yrs ago to gain that 'emotional attachment'. The upbringing of being surrounded by tech plays a vital role in that as well. It nurtures the attitude of 'Don't care how fun it is, I just want it to be fast, efficient, cutting edge, cool, or just take me from A to B'. We are slowly losing touch of the real art of driving. That's the price we pay to advance innovation in the automotive industry. Let's just hope we all still have options in the future. If someone wants to drive a carburettor, let him have the option. If someone wants to drive a manual, let him. If someone wants to drive a big V8 muscle car, let him. But the reality is, as more and more people continue buying EV, manufacturers will axe ICE.

          • klaw81 on 19/09/2025 - 13:41

            @gezza90:

            The technology and architecture of a 2019 Kia Rio is different to a Merc GLE.

            Sure, but even a 2019 Kia Rio will have multiple electronic control modules for the engine, various ancillary systems, ABS and electronic stability controls, a transmission module for the automatic versions and even lane guidance on up-spec models. And those "analog dials" are electronically driven, even if they don't look fancy.

            Unless there are faults discovered that warrant attention, those electronic systems will never get any system updates and that's totally okay - they probably won't need them and will work for the lifetime of the car. And that's kind of my point really - these electronic systems are pretty bulletproof and won't be "bricked" simply by not getting regular updates.

            Here's the original claim, in case you've forgotten:

            An EV which is driven by software will be bricked in a few years as you cannot access the software any more.

            It's pretty clear that this claim is ridiculous, and has no relationship with reality. It's either ignorance or fear-mongering (or both). I challenge anyone to identify a real-world example to back this up.

            But you last point on 'emotional attachment' is a strong one, and the downvotes on the top comment seems to represent that.

            Alternatively: the downvotes are there because it's a stupid claim and sensible people can see that doesn't stand up to any scrutiny.

            It nurtures the attitude of 'Don't care how fun it is, I just want it to be fast, efficient, cutting edge, cool, or just take me from A to B'.

            For the vast majority of people, a car should be exactly those things. And it's a particular strength of EVs.

            Also, I absolutely disagree that EVs aren't or can't be fun. Vehicle weight tends to be a downside right now, but also there's simply not a big enough market for EV sports cars yet while the typical buyer is a wealthy old guy with "rather traditional" views on cars.

            We are slowly losing touch of the real art of driving.

            Again, I totally disagree - unless you consider the "art of driving" to be changing gears. The rest of the driving experience is largely the same.

            EV rally cars and EV drift cars are motorsport these days, and many consider them to be competitive - impressive considering the weight penalty.

            If someone wants to drive a carburetor, let him have the option. If someone wants to drive a manual, let him.

            Sure, there's no good reason to remove existing cars from the road. But on the whole, there's absolutely zero reason to produce new cars with such outdated and inefficient equipment. There are genuine negative externalities to such behaviors.

            But the reality is, as more and more people continue buying EV, manufacturers will axe ICE.

            Just like incandescent bulbs were dumped for LEDs. They had some downsides when they first entered the market, but with solid investment, ongoing product improvements and some regulatory encouragement, they're all but gone - and good riddance to them.

            I look forward to the day I no longer have to listen to (profanity) revving their deliberately loud exhausts for "fun" and generally being a menace. Cities and suburbs will be a much nicer place when all vehicles are silent EVs, and ICEs are consigned to museum collections, historic rallies and the eccentric old guy down the street who goes for a drive on Sundays.

            • gezza90 on 19/09/2025 - 14:02

              @klaw81: Much of what you write is your opinion thus subjective in nature.
              "it's a stupid claim and sensible people can see that doesn't stand up to any scrutiny" - Depends who you ask. Someone who is in the car culture of modifying their cars, attending motorsport events such as dragging or racing, they would disagree with you. I also know a handful of people that actually prefer to drive manual cars and they don't necessarily need to be fast. It's just personal preference. My dad, two of my cousins, my uncle, myself, my neighbour etc.

              "For the vast majority of people, a car should be exactly those things" - Again, depends who you ask. I personally have drive a Tesla model 3 and while it is very fast and responsive, It lacked enjoyment. Look at the second hand market of EV sales. It's flooded, and there are reasons why. People make impulsive purchases and then regret it.

              "The rest of the driving experience is largely the same" - No, it isnt.

              "There's absolutely zero reason to produce new cars with such outdated and inefficient equipment." - Partially agree, As carburettors and big V8 engines are totally inefficient, but a MT Mazda 3 hatchback with 88kw of power is much more suitable, plus they're just as efficient. But manufacturers are gearing towards automation because certain tech can only operate on such a drivetrain.

              "I look forward to the day I no longer have to listen to (profanity) revving their deliberately loud exhausts for "fun" and generally being a menace." - Like I said, your car doesn't need to be loud and powerful to have a manual transmission. For 8yrs now, I have been driving a quiet 2010 hatchback in a manual and enjoy every moment of it. It's a shame I can no longer purchase the newer model in a manual so I will have to maintain mine till the day I die.

              I say this again, much of what you say stems from your personal preference. And believe me when I say this, you will hear the words, "they don't make them like they used to" or "Old is Gold". There's a reason why these statements exist. You wouldn't be saying the things you are saying once you are caught in a deadlock in your fully automated electric vehicle. It's good to support technology and innovation, but for the right reasons and in the right ways.

              • klaw81 on 19/09/2025 - 15:30

                @gezza90:

                "it's a stupid claim and sensible people can see that doesn't stand up to any scrutiny" - Depends who you ask.

                This is not subjective. There's zero evidence to support it. It's false, and logically flawed.

                Someone who is in the car culture of modifying their cars, attending motorsport events such as dragging or racing, they would disagree with you.

                They must be either stupid, or responding to a different question. Personal preferences are fine, but this one is unequivocally false.

                "For the vast majority of people, a car should be exactly those things" - Again, depends who you ask. I personally have drive a Tesla model 3 and while it is very fast and responsive, It lacked enjoyment.

                I also drive a Model 3. And I enjoy the hell out of that experience. As you say - it's fast, responsive, it corners very well for a somewhat heavy car and it even drifts to some extent on dirt roads - plus it's very quiet and comfortable on the highway. That's a fun car in my books.

                "Fun" is obviously subjective, so this part is moot. But there are EVs that are way more "fun" to drive than a Model 3, including a few that allow "gearshifts" if you can't live without that aspect.

                Look at the second hand market of EV sales. It's flooded, and there are reasons why. People make impulsive purchases and then regret it.

                Statistics show that the vast majority of EV owners buy another EV, and surveys of EV owners show that most EV owners never plan to buy another ICE vehicle. So I don't believe there's any such "flood of regretful buyers." Some have changing requirements that an EV can't easily or affordably meet, and that's fine.

                "The rest of the driving experience is largely the same" - No, it isnt.

                It absolutely is. Keeping a car finely balanced on the limit of traction, adjusting speed and approach to take a corner on the apex, anticipating and countering under- and over-steer, timing of acceleration and deceleration inputs to maintain weight distribution, allowing for body roll and road surface changes - these are all the same in EVs. That's the main part of driving IMO.

                The only things that are missing are the gear-changes and the noise. And if not having those are the deal-breakers for you, then I'd suggest you're not really into the "joy of driving." (/jk gate-keeping LOL)

                But manufacturers are gearing towards automation because certain tech can only operate on such a drivetrain.

                Manufacturers aren't throwing away ICE tech because they're all racing towards automation. Automation can be implemented in various ICE vehicles anyway - EVs just make it a little easier. The transition is being driven by much larger forces - climate concerns and the resulting emissions regulations are the obvious one. But there's also advantages in other areas, such as efficiency and cost of ownership which buyers find attractive.

                Like I said, your car doesn't need to be loud and powerful to have a manual transmission. For 8yrs now, I have been driving a quiet 2010 hatchback

                Me too, until it was written off by an idiot in a loud, over-powered car who was distracted by his phone. Sadly, I was unable to replace it and now I have a CVT auto in my work bomb.

                "they don't make them like they used to" or "Old is Gold". There's a reason why these statements exist.

                Sure, it's pure nostalgia. They hark back to a bygone era, which people usually view with rose-tinted glasses and forget all the bad things.

                In reality, most old cars weren't very good and we should absolutely be grateful they don't make them like that anymore. They were loud, smelly, unreliable, slow, inefficient, uncomfortable, unsafe and most of them were somewhere between mediocre to truly awful to drive - including an awful lot of hallowed "classic cars" I've driven: Mustangs, Corvettes, MGs, various early Fords and Holdens and the odd Cadillac or Euro lux-barge.

                People clearly have an emotional attachment to those old cars, and I'm happy for them to have a hobby but in my experience they're always having to fix things, and few can actually rely on them for transport.

                You wouldn't be saying the things you are saying once you are caught in a deadlock in your fully automated electric vehicle.

                I genuinely look forward to the day that I can just sit in an automated car and hold a long conversation or play a game with friends and family while the car takes care of everything. Driving can be fun at times, but on the daily commute or on a long trip, I would much prefer to be doing something else.

                Anyway, we're well off-topic now, so I'm out. Incidentally, if your username is an indication of your age, then I'm actually considerably older than you.

  • H_J on 17/09/2025 - 08:49
    +2

    not surprised , if you have driven polestar 2.

  • Seaword on 17/09/2025 - 09:03
    +4

    I am looking at an EV and found Polestar to be very expensive, especially when you add the packs that give you extra options that other cars come with as standard.

  • JuryWheel on 17/09/2025 - 09:14
    +1

    "The brand’s US share price has crashed from $15.33 in November 2021 to $0.32 today." yikes!

    • Trying2SaveABuck on 17/09/2025 - 09:55

      This is one of those Wall Street Bets Hero buys/gambles that someone puts their life savings into an either end up in a homeless shelter or becomes a billionar like when that scandianian airlines during COVID

    • tenpercent on 17/09/2025 - 10:23
      +1

      Buy the dip!
      /s

  • Maxxjet on 17/09/2025 - 09:45

    Never liked it and cannot care less if it disapperes now…

  • Thinkscape on 17/09/2025 - 10:00
    +5

    Driven all Polestars available in Australia. Decent cars, if they costed 30-40% less to have parity with other brands - or if they were 30-40% better than other EVs.

    None of the Polestar models had any feature or spec that exceeded what's already on the market for much lower price.

    Pricing:

    • Polestar 4 Long Range performance, 22", basic autosteer: $117k drive-away
    • Tesla M3 Performance: $87k drive-away.

    Compared:

    • Polestar advantages: fotochromatic roof (+$2.2k), 22" rims (if you're into that), 22kW AC inverter, 5y chassis warranty (vs 4y)
    • M3 advantages: quicker, much lighter, more efficient, more internal space, track mode, leagues better infotainment, faster DC charging (250kW vs 200), 8y/192k batt warranty (vs 8y/160k), FSD option coming to Australia this year (compared to glitchy volvo basic autosteer that bounces between lanes, disengages randomly, gets confused with signs etc.)
    • adgnetworks on 18/09/2025 - 18:29

      They never wanted you to compare them with anyone.

      They wanted everyone to accept their quality and price is justified as they're unique.

      Glad to see these sociopathic idiots die a slow corporate death.

  • JuryWheel on 17/09/2025 - 10:05
    +1

    Anyone kinda wish there was a basic/budget car brand that was basically similar to a corolla/camry back in the day - described as a fridge on wheels that got you from A to B without a fuss, very few features or gadgets that you basically wouldnt use anyway, reliable, simple, affordable….? I watched a video yesterday for some new EV with the presenter going over all these amazing "features" and I couldnt care less about them. 0-100 in 10-12 seconds, no worries. Reversing camera, sure. Basic display that has apple carplay/android auto, yep. Pretty much everything else, i couldnt care less about. I feel like im in the minority.

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