Volvo spinoff Polestar had a rough 2024, and 2025 looks like it could be just as difficult.
Polestar Automotive (PSNY -12.29%) stock crumpled under the pressure of an earnings miss Thursday morning. As of 10:35 a.m.
Polestar said on Thursday it sold fewer-than-expected cars and the Swedish EV maker's CEO added that it will take longer for the company to be profitable.
Polestar Automotive Holding UK PLC is expected to report a Q3 loss of -$0.15 per share on $634M in revenues, with demand remaining weak. Analysts predict continued unprofitability and uncertain future performance, despite management's optimistic remarks about stronger volumes in H2 2024. Key concerns include declining EV market share in Europe, high debt levels, and stiff competition, making profitability by 2025 unlikely.
Polestar has announced stronger sales over the fourth quarter as the Swedish electric vehicle (EV) maker grapples with tough conditions on a wider slowdown in demand. Sales jumped by 5.3% to 12,256 cars during the quarter, Polestar reported on Thursday, while its order intake was said to have surged by 37.2%.
Polestar on Thursday reported rises in fourth-quarter retail sales and order intake, raising optimism amongst jittery investors over demand for the Swedish EV maker's higher-priced models.
Electric vehicle (EV) stocks got quite a charge on Friday thanks to good news coming from one of their more prominent players. That player wasn't Polestar (PSNY 10.91%).
Polestar is a pure-play electric vehicle manufacturer on the cusp of an inflection point, according to Bank of America analysts. Polestar “offers pure-play exposure to the growing EV market, is nearing an inflection point in sales volumes, and is improving its earnings profile”, they said in a research note.
Polestar said on Monday that a proposed Biden administration rule to bar the use of Chinese vehicle hardware and software would "effectively prohibit" the automaker from selling vehicles in the United States.
Should you invest in this unloved electric vehicle maker?
The EV maker has faced numerous challenges over the past year, and a new management team will look to right the ship.
Polestar said on Friday that it expected to achieve a positive gross profit margin in the fourth quarter despite its electric vehicle deliveries falling 14% in the third quarter.