Polestar will no longer be able to sell new cars in the US from the 2027 model year onwards, marking a major setback for the Swedish EV brand. In an official press release, Polestar confirmed that the US Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security has not granted it authorisation under the current Connected Vehicle Rule.
The rule restricts the import and sale of certain connected vehicles linked to China or Russia. Polestar is closely tied to Chinese automotive giant Geely, which has put the brand in a difficult position under the new US regulations.
This does not mean every Polestar on sale in America disappears overnight. The company says it will continue selling existing stock of the Polestar 3 and Polestar 4 in the US. It will also continue to support current customers, including access to its service network.
Even so, it is a huge blow for Polestar’s long-term US plans. The brand only became a standalone electric car maker less than a decade ago, and the US was meant to be one of the key markets for its growing EV lineup.
Polestar is now putting more focus on Europe, which it says accounts for close to 80 percent of its retail sales volumes. The company also says 94 percent of its first-quarter 2026 retail sales came from outside the US.
The decision could also raise questions about future Polestar models in America. Polestar’s planned lineup includes a new Polestar 2 successor in 2027, the Polestar 7 compact SUV in 2028, and the Polestar 6 roadster. Under the current ruling, those future models will not be sold in the US unless something changes.
Polestar says it will continue investing in other growth markets, including Southeast Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin America, and Canada.
What is clear is that Polestar is not leaving all US customers behind, even if its new-car business in America has effectively been shut down.