Polestar Q3 Sales Rise as US Business Faces Ban

Polestar delivered an estimated 14,371 vehicles worldwide in the third quarter of 2026, an increase of approximately 1% from a year earlier. However, sales outside the United States declined by 8%, making American deliveries the main reason the electric automaker recorded quarterly growth despite new restrictions on its U.S. business.

US Deliveries Offset Weaker Global Demand

Polestar's latest quarterly figures reveal a significant difference between its American performance and results in other markets.

Worldwide deliveries increased from 14,222 vehicles in Q3 2025 to approximately 14,371 in Q3 2026, establishing a third-quarter record for the company.

However, international sales excluding the United States moved in the opposite direction. Deliveries across those markets fell from 13,256 to 12,211 vehicles, representing a decline of nearly 8%.

Based on the reported totals, U.S. deliveries reached approximately 2,160 vehicles, compared with 966 during the corresponding quarter last year. That represents growth of roughly 124%.

The increase of 1,194 American deliveries was sufficient to offset the loss of 1,045 vehicles across Polestar's other markets.

Without that contribution, the company's worldwide third-quarter result would have shown a decline rather than modest growth.

Nine-Month Results Show a Similar Pattern

Polestar also reported record deliveries for the first nine months of 2026, although the overall improvement remained limited.

Between January and September, global volume reached 44,790 vehicles, compared with 44,511 during the same period in 2025. That represents growth of approximately 0.6%.

Excluding the United States, deliveries decreased slightly from 40,968 to 40,773 vehicles, a decline of around 0.5%.

The difference between those totals indicates that Polestar delivered approximately 4,017 vehicles in the U.S. during the first nine months of 2026, compared with 3,543 a year earlier.

American volume therefore increased by roughly 13% over the nine-month period.

These figures show that the company's recent growth has depended partly on a market where its ability to continue selling new vehicles has become increasingly restricted.

Federal Technology Rules Disrupt US Sales

Polestar's American operations face a regulatory obstacle following a decision by the U.S. Department of Commerce in June 2026.

The restrictions concern certain connected-vehicle systems and automated-driving technologies associated with China. Polestar, which operates under a corporate structure connected to China's Geely Group, was unable to secure the authorization needed to continue normal new-vehicle sales.

The decision created a different outcome for Polestar and Volvo, another automaker associated with Geely.

Volvo received an exemption, while Polestar's request for similar treatment was rejected.

The distinction is particularly notable because the Polestar 3 and Volvo EX90 are both assembled at the same South Carolina manufacturing facility.

Polestar said in August that the decision had been unexpected and that the company was seeking greater clarity about the different regulatory treatment.

The restrictions do not immediately eliminate all Polestar activity in the United States. Existing vehicle inventory can still be sold, and the company has said it intends to continue supporting current owners.

Inventory Discounts May Explain the Sales Increase

The sharp rise in American deliveries occurred as Polestar introduced substantial incentives to reduce its remaining inventory.

Discounts on certain Polestar 4 vehicles reached approximately $25,000, while the Polestar 3 was also offered with significant promotional pricing.

Those incentives may have encouraged purchases among customers seeking discounted premium electric vehicles before availability became more limited.

However, Polestar has not provided a detailed U.S. sales breakdown by model. As a result, the precise contribution of each vehicle and promotion cannot be established from the published figures.

The increase in deliveries therefore demonstrates stronger short-term sales activity, but it does not establish whether comparable demand could continue without the discounts or under the new regulatory restrictions.

Polestar Faces a Difficult Transition

Polestar's challenge extends beyond maintaining its quarterly delivery figures.

The company recorded approximately $1 billion in operating losses during 2025, despite delivering a record 60,119 vehicles worldwide that year.

Its 2026 results show that sales volumes remain relatively stable, but the decline outside America raises questions about how quickly other regions can compensate for reduced U.S. access.

The immediate priority is managing remaining American inventory while maintaining customer service and support for existing vehicles.

Longer term, Polestar will need stronger performance in its other markets if it cannot resume normal U.S. sales.

The third-quarter figures confirm that American customers contributed substantially to Polestar's latest sales record. They also highlight the difficulty of replacing that demand as the company adjusts to a more restricted operating environment.

FAQ

How many vehicles did Polestar sell in Q3 2026?

Polestar reported approximately 14,371 global vehicle sales in Q3 2026, an increase of 1% compared with 14,222 a year earlier. The result represents the company's strongest third quarter, although the 2026 figures are preliminary.

How much did Polestar's US sales increase?

Based on Polestar's reported global and non-U.S. totals, American deliveries reached approximately 2,160 vehicles in Q3 2026, compared with 966 in Q3 2025. That represents an increase of roughly 124%, despite weaker sales across the company's other markets.

Why is Polestar facing restrictions in the United States?

Polestar faces restrictions under U.S. connected-vehicle regulations targeting certain technologies associated with China. The rules affect its ability to sell new vehicles in the American market, although eligible existing inventory can still be sold.

Can customers still buy Polestar vehicles in the US?

Yes. Polestar can continue selling eligible vehicles from its existing American inventory, including remaining Polestar 3 and Polestar 4 models. The company also intends to maintain customer service for current owners.

How many cars did Polestar sell in the first nine months of 2026?

Polestar recorded approximately 44,790 worldwide vehicle sales between January and September 2026, up 0.6% year over year. Excluding the United States, sales totaled 40,773 vehicles, representing a 0.5% decline.

Recommend Reading: Polestar 4 SUV Adds Rear Window and More Space