Loscheller to succeed Ingenlath as next Polestar chief executive

Polestar has appointed automotive leader Michael Lohscheller as its next chief executive.

Thomas Ingenlath, who has served as the chief executive since Polestar’s inception more than seven years ago and successfully positioned the brand for its next chapter, is stepping down from the company. 

The change is effective October 1, 2024.

Lohscheller, a previous chief executive of Opel, VinFast and Nikola, brings a wealth of expertise in the automotive industry, particularly in navigating competitive markets and scaling businesses. 

Polestar will ambitiously expand its global footprint and position as a leader in the premium electric vehicle market in the coming years. 

“Polestar has experienced an exceptional start-up phase, and with a broader model lineup, Michael Lohscheller is the ideal leader to guide Polestar in its next chapter,” Polestar chairperson Winfried Vahland says. 

“His 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.

“With Scandinavian heritage, passion and performance, Polestar will set new standards for future individual mobility. Geely remains deeply committed to Polestar’s success, and with Michael at the helm, supported by a dynamic leadership team, we are well-positioned for continued innovation and growth,” Vahland says.

“I am honoured to join Polestar at such an exciting time in the company’s history,” Lonscheller says. 

“Polestar has already established itself as one of the most desirable and innovative brands in the electric vehicle space. I look forward to working with the talented team to build on this strong foundation and accelerate our development,” he says

Vahland also acknowledged Thomas Ingenlath’s contribution as the first chief executive of the Polestar brand. 

“Thomas has been instrumental in shaping Polestar, transforming it from a Volvo performance division into a global premium electric vehicle brand with an outstanding focus on design, performance, and premium qualities. We extend our deepest gratitude for his leadership,” Vahland says.

“I am very proud of what we’ve achieved together in the last seven years,” Ingenlath says. 

“We had the vision of an electric premium brand with performance and design at its core. And we made it; the dream became a reality: Polestar is the only truly global premium electric brand. We just launched the Polestar 3 and 4, and we are producing on two continents. 

Thank you to everybody who has contributed so far on this journey. It was a lifetime experience to build up this brand with you all. I wish Michael and the team the best for the next chapter of Polestar,” he says.