Polestar has announced the appointment of Michael Lohscheller as its new CEO, effective Oct 1, following the resignation of Thomas Ingenlath, who has led the company since its inception.
Lohscheller, with a background as CEO of Opel, VinFast, and Nikola, is expected to bring extensive experience in operational excellence and strategic growth to Polestar as it aims to expand its global footprint in the premium electric vehicle market.
Polestar’s incoming chairman Winfried Vahland said: “Polestar has experienced an exceptional start-up phase and with a broader model line-up, Michael Lohscheller is the ideal leader to guide Polestar into its next chapter.
“His deep industry knowledge, especially in driving operational excellence, developing a coherent product strategy and strengthening the global market presence will be instrumental in the next chapter of Polestar’s growth. ”
Vahland also acknowledged Ingenlath’s contributions, saying he had transformed Polestar from a Volvo performance division into a global premium EV brand with a strong focus on design and performance.
Lohscheller’s appointment comes at a difficult time for Polestar, which is navigating a period of restructuring aimed at achieving profitability by 2025.
The company has faced several hurdles, including delayed model launches, missed delivery targets, and the need to reduce reliance on China-based production due to import tariffs from the EU, US., and Canada.
Piling on the pressure is the broader EV market slowdown and price discounting, sparked by competition from Tesla.
Polestar’s leadership transition marks a continued shift away from its Volvo roots, with recent changes including a new chairman and design head, reflecting a broader effort to redefine the brand.
Philipp Römers was appointed the new design chief after Maximilian Missoni also left Polestar.
Philipp has over 25 years of experience in automotive design and joins Polestar from Audi.
Lohscheller expressed his enthusiasm for joining Polestar at this pivotal moment, highlighting the brand’s reputation for innovation and his commitment to accelerating its development.
He said he aims to build on the foundation laid by Ingenlath and guide Polestar into its next chapter as a leader in premium electric mobility.
While Volvo has reduced its stake in Polestar, Geely has become a majority shareholder, and has affirmed it would support Polestar’s strategy and future development.
