Polestar’s first model, the Polestar 1, will be limited to just 500 units per year when it comes into production.
This is due to the complex process of bonding the 1’s carbon-fibre bodywork to the steel chassis from the Volvo S90 that is being used as the base, resulting in a longer manufacturing process for each unit.
That is well below the targets of nearest rivals BMW i and Tesla, who both expect to sell at least 100,000 vehicles this year alone, according to Automotive News Europe.
Production of the Polestar 1 is slated for mid-2019, although full-scale production won’t begin until a year later.
The plug-in hybrid coupe will be the first of three models that Polestar has announced, with the Polestar 2 saloon being the brand’s first all-electric car later in 2019. The Polestar 3 will be an all-electric SUV that is due to go into production in 2021.
Having been part of Volvo Group since its inception back in 1996 as a tuning department, Polestar announced it would be its own independent brand earlier in 2017 before unveiling the 1 back in October.
The 1 comes with a 600bhp petrol-electric hybrid powertrain, with an electric range of 90 miles.
Polestar won’t be selling the cars to customers, but instead will be using a subscription service that will be applied for online – with additional costs for servicing and home delivery included in the monthly costs on two- or three-year contracts.
