CEO Polestar Thomas Ingenlath tentang menciptakan identitas EV yang unik.

Today, I’m having a conversation with Polestar CEO Thomas Ingenlath, who was previously interviewed on the show in 2021. Back then, the landscape was very different, especially for new EV companies like Polestar, which appeared to be on the brink of meeting the seemingly endless demand for electric cars. Fast forward to 2024, and the market has shifted significantly – Polestar is no longer primarily owned by Volvo. Instead, it has become an independent sister company to Volvo, both falling under the umbrella of Chinese parent company Geely.

In our discussion, Thomas and I delved into the implications of Volvo’s step back and how much Polestar can leverage Geely’s platforms while still maintaining its unique identity within the brand portfolio. Thomas shared his insights on why people gravitate towards certain car brands, emphasizing desirability as a key factor for Polestar. We explored how Polestar views its relationship with Volvo, other luxury carmakers, and the broader EV market.

Polestar is aiming to capture a larger share of the market. When Thomas and I first spoke, the Polestar 2 was the company’s main offering. Now, Polestar is gearing up to launch its Polestar 3 SUV and debut the Polestar 4 crossover, expanding its model lineup to attract more consumers.

We also touched on the evolving software experience in cars. Unlike many other car executives, Thomas doesn’t view software as a major opportunity. Polestar vehicles currently run on the Android Automotive OS in partnership with Google, and in China, the company has teamed up with Xingji Meizu to utilize the Flyme OS platform. Thomas discussed the partnerships and Polestar’s approach to integrating Apple, Google, and other software providers.

Given Thomas’ background in design, we explored recent trends in car design, including the retrofuturistic styles seen from companies like Rivian and the more unconventional aesthetic of the Cybertruck. Thomas provided valuable insights, including a unique perspective on the Cybertruck design.

The conversation with Thomas Ingenlath, CEO of Polestar, was insightful and shed light on the company’s evolution. The transcript has been edited for brevity and clarity, and we covered a wide range of topics related to Polestar’s growth, partnerships, and future plans in the dynamic EV market.