Polestar is preparing for the Italian debut. Interview with Alexander Lutz

From Polestar and its first hybrid we told you for the first time 2018. It was the official announcement of the new Swedish challenge Volvowhich after announcing goodbye to endothermic engines and its intention to develop electric vehicles, had just delivered in parallel with brand new with the aim of developing a luxury electric and hybrid range, under a new brand. Four years later, on the eve of Polestar Automotive Holding’s Italian premiere, let’s try to correct that argument. So, let’s talk about the Swedish manufacturer of electric cars in the premium segment, founded by Volvo (itself part of the Chinese Geely) in 2017 and which, together with the Swedish brand, shares technology and cooperation.

Polestar, Sweden’s road map against Tesla

Polestar is headquartered in Gothenburg, Sweden, since 2018 its range of models (produced in China, in the future also in the United States) has increased and today the brand is already present in various European markets (such as in the neighboring country of Switzerland, where the headquarters headquartered in Zurich and has a showroom in Geneva), North America, China and Asia Pacific. And the Polestar brand, for many the most approved rival of TeslaTwo models have been released so far, the hybrid coupe pole star 1built between 2019 and 2021 in a small series, no sorry 2 starsthe brand’s first electric car.

The launch is expected in autumn 2022 pole star 3The first electric SUV, followed the following year by another more compact electric SUV, 4 point star and, in 2024, sorry star 5, a high-performance electric 4-door coupe. A strong focus on sustainability distinguishes the new Swedish brand: Polestar follows the campaign Race to Zero of the United Nations and was the first car brand to participate in the highway map program, an alliance whose goal is halve global emissions by 2030.

The first match in Italy, Milan and Rome

The goal? Establish yourself as a global and premium brand (i.e. high quality and performance) of fully electric vehicles, also rapidly increase the number of sales points, Position of Polestar and Destination. This is the updated status so far. At the same time, a few months after the start of the Swedish brand on the Italian market, expected the second half of the yearwe met Alexander Lutzdirector general of Polestar Italy. Young but with significant international experience behind him with brands such as Maserati and Audi, we met him in Milan.

Performance, design and innovation are our strengths

“The Italian market is very important for us, here we are sure that our concept of performance, design and innovation, which is applied to complete electric models, can be strategic. Being part of a large group like Volvo and Geely allows us to take advantage of important partnerships and make our debut in the Italian market, where passion for cars is combined with a growing focus on sustainability”, explained Lutz, anticipating the opening in the first coming months. Position of Polestar in Milan, followed by a second one in Rome. Selling points that, of course, are added to the online shopping experience, where it will be possible to buy one’s electric car online in a “transparent, fast and easy” way, using the experience gathered in other countries, where dates have been sold 55 thousand Polestar.

Young, but with an open mind. For this reason we decided in our interview to play a “game”, which is to comment on some the main word which defines new mobility, current and future. And this is how it was.

Sustainability
Sustainability is valuable not as a marketing tool, but for the company. Polestar aims to reduce its climate impact with each new model, with the goal of creating a zero climate car by 2030, from production to end of life.

Self-driving cars
We already offer in our models 2 levels of driving freely. Autonomous driving will definitely be more important for us in the future and we are investing heavily in this direction, even if we think that driving in the Polestar style will always be a pleasant and rewarding experience, while offering those who prefer to rely on autonomous driving. more advanced tools and security.

Smart cities
It is a situation that we evaluate and develop especially in other countries. In Italy at the moment it does not seem to be a priority yet, but in countries like Sweden and Volvo together with other partners we have launched a project that simulates the situation and where wireless charging of electric cars is already a reality in the city of Gothenburg, where it is already circulating a small fleet of taxis batteries that recharge wirelessly (without using cables) at selected stations. Smart city and e-mobility are definitely two important concepts.

Metaverse
Metaverse is very interesting to us, we are a company aware that we cannot develop everything internally, having partners who know the digital world is important. An example? Let’s think about the need to quickly develop a marketing network on several markets. At that time, using all the digital power to reach people on their computers or mobile phones becomes a way to stay connected, consult, or respond to any customer need, wherever they are; we have experienced in other countries during health emergencies, when reaching people physically was difficult for us. We are a digital company, so change and the virtual world in general are undoubtedly part of our future, even if for us physical contact remains the basis.

2035
On the decision of the ministers of the Council of Europe to stop gasoline and diesel cars from 2035 I personally agree that the current state of electric mobility is certain, even if I am not convinced that all technologies, such as hydrogen, have the same prospects for development. I repeat, the electric car is definitely the future, so I am participating in the European Council elections. However, the important thing is that politics, us builders and the needs of people and customers of mobility are considered as an important whole; the need to work with these three stakeholders remains fundamental to improving the world and continuing to commit to sustainable mobility, mobility that for us at Polestar also means fun and driving.

Big data
Two aspects are important for Polestar: data owners remain customers and the use of data must be for the benefit of the customer. For this we already work with Google through our infotainment systems because we knew we couldn’t build such complex systems ourselves. To develop software such as Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, a large investment is required, we can never match Google, Amazon or Microsoft in data management, that’s why we prefer to create strategic partnerships.

Internet of Things
The Internet of Things for us means innovation, giving the customer the tools to have more free time in life. Time is the money of life. IoT can make life more fun, more comfortable, and that’s what we want to offer those who choose Polestar.

Circular economy
For the electric car, this is just the beginning of an increasingly circular virtuous circle. We strongly believe in partnering with experts to accelerate development and provide customers with the best technology available. Let’s take an example: the interior Commandmentand even more that of Polestar O₂, is characterized by a strong focus on sustainability thanks to the use of new materials and innovative processes. The use of local materials that reduce the environmental impact offers new opportunities to have a car’s impact: recycled PET bottles, recycled fishing nets or recycled cork. In most of the car’s interior components and some of the exterior parts we use a linen based blend. We also focus heavily on transparency and traceability to promote responsible sourcing, using blockchain technology to track raw materials, including those for batteries.

Next time
I think about the short future, say 5 years. I imagine cities with less noise, quieter, with fewer cars, more and more electricity, and more time for people. I’m thinking of a more fragmented world, a bit like what happened in the viewing world, and the first of the first quartz watches. It was a turning point, for technology and for design which, due to the absence of mechanics, was able to cross new creative thresholds, test new forms, reduce costs and increase reliability. Here, for me electric mobility has the same creative power. Over the next 5 years, the brand will be more important than the product, the goal will not be just sales numbers, to improve the world we will not have to just sell cars, but provide value to people. An example of a city Oslo where the use of cars is greatly reduced, where attention to space for people and nature are priorities, it is an example that I personally share, I believe it is the future. The car will still play a major role for a long time, but differently for each person, according to styles and areas of life.

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