Auto Shanghai 2021

And given that China is, in many ways, the entire automotive industry in microcosm, an appearance at a Chinese auto show is an opportunity to interact with the industry directly. Which is why we appeared at Auto Shanghai 2021.

There were a number of highlights which commanded the lion’s share of the Polestar-related press around the event. The golden Polestar 1 was one of them. “The Polestar 1 is already one of the most striking cars to spot on the road today,” enthuses Road Show by CNET. “ And for 25 fortunate customers, it’s about to become even more jaw-dropping.”

Built to commemorate the Polestar 1’s final production year, the golden version is a send-off in style for our electric performance hybrid. Matte gold exterior, matching stitching on the Nappa leather interior, and black wheels ensured that this extremely limited-run Polestar 1 (25 to be built total) shone like a beacon for the in-person and virtual attendees of Auto Shanghai 2021.

Another focus for press and public alike was Polestar CEO Thomas Ingenlath’s wake-up call, delivered in the form of a keynote to those who would prioritise market valuations over environmental protection. “It frankly amazes me that there are companies out there that are worth billions of dollars and have never made a car,” he says. “I would like to today state clearly that the electric mobility revolution needs to be grounded in reality, not dreams.”

Which is not to say that dreams don’t play a part. Thinking beyond the current reality is how revolutions are formed, after all. But the collective ambition that is a more sustainable electric future needs to be firmly anchored in the real world. In today’s automotive landscape.

And what better place to address the current state of automotive than China?