Polestar reports record third-quarter sales amid regional shifts

Polestar has reported its strongest third quarter to date, with global sales reaching an estimated 14,371 vehicles, a 1% increase compared to the same period in 2025. However, the company’s performance shows a sharp divergence between regional markets.

In Portugal, Polestar experienced significant growth, with registrations increasing by 19% between January and September 2026. This local surge is supported by the introduction of new models, including the Polestar 5 and the Polestar 4 SUV.

In contrast, global sales figures excluding the United States showed a decline. When the U.S. market is removed from the data, third-quarter sales fell by 8% and year-to-date sales through September decreased by 0.5%. The recent spike in U.S. sales—which rose approximately 124% in the third quarter—is attributed to heavy discounting as the company clears inventory ahead of a Department of Commerce rule. This rule prohibits certain Chinese connectivity and driver-assistance technologies, a restriction that Polestar failed to bypass despite exemptions granted to Volvo.