Swedish electric vehicle maker Polestar has delivered a sharp jolt to Chinese automotive giants in the UK, with British drivers flocking to its premium EVs amid a fiercely competitive market. Polestar, headquartered in Gothenburg and listed on Nasdaq as PSNY, reported record UK retail sales of 16,959 vehicles in 2025—a staggering 95% jump from 8,693 the previous year, according to data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
This surge was driven by popular models like the Polestar 2, starting at £45,160, which combines minimalist Scandinavian design with high performance and a range of up to 409 miles. December alone saw 1,733 registrations, up 93% year-on-year. This growth positions Polestar as the UK's fastest-growing premium EV brand, securing a 0.84% market share in a year where total new car registrations hit 2,020,520—up 3.5% overall.
Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) accounted for 473,348 sales, or 23.43% of the market, reflecting a 23.9% rise in EV uptake.
While Chinese brands collectively boomed—capturing 9.7% of the market with nearly 196,000 vehicles sold—performance across the sector was uneven. MG led the pack with 85,155 units, up 4.44%, and BYD rocketed to 51,422, a 485% increase. Newcomers like Omoda (19,855) and Jaecoo (28,232) also posted explosive growth.
However, Great Wall Motor (GWM), parent of ORA and Haval, suffered a 53% drop to just 542 sales, highlighting a distinct vulnerability in the premium segments where Polestar thrives.
Analysts suggest Polestar's European brand identity is paying off, with the company focusing on refinement and sustainability to lure buyers away from aggressive Chinese pricing strategies.
Michael Lohscheller, Polestar CEO, noted in a recent statement that the brand's strategy update on February 18 will likely emphasise this upward momentum.
The company's newer models, including the £69,990 Polestar 3 SUV and £53,750 Polestar 4 coupé, have further bolstered its appeal, supported by aggressive 0% APR finance offers running until March.
This success comes amid broader EV market turbulence, where tariffs and intensifying competition are squeezing margins. Although majority-owned by China's Geely, Polestar has strategically diversified its production to South Korea and the United States.
This move has allowed the brand to sidestep some of the trade barriers and tariffs that have hit pure Chinese imports. Industry experts warn that Polestar's premium positioning could continue to erode the market share of higher-end Chinese rivals like NIO and XPeng, whose UK sales remain modest—XPeng at 900 units, while NIO remains unlisted in the top SMMT figures.
As UK drivers increasingly prioritise perceived quality and brand heritage over cut-price options, Polestar’s 2025 triumph signals tougher times for many Chinese incumbents in the race to electrify Britain's roads.
