Polestar claims it was blindsided by sales ban

BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 26: Polestar cars are displayed in the showroom at a Polestar dealership on June 26, 2026 in Beverly Hills, California. Electric car maker Polestar will be barred from selling new vehicles in the United States starting with the 2027 model year after the Commerce Department cited national security concerns under new connected-vehicle regulations. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Polestar said the Trump administration strung it along for months before finally rejecting its request to continue selling its electric vehicles in the US under a rule outlawing vehicles with connected software from China.

In an August 18th letter sent to dealers and obtained by The Verge, Polestar said it doesn't have a clear answer as to why its application to continue selling its EVs in the US was denied, considering its sister company Volvo was authorized to sell its vehicles despite similar corporate ownership. (The letter was first reported by The Wall Street Journal.)

The US Department of Commerce approved Volvo in May 2026 to con …

Read the full story at The Verge.