As expectations rise for the new Polestar 5, the brand is cutting back on its engineering staff in the UK. The layoffs will affect several departments.
The new Polestar 5 is just around the corner. However, along with the upcoming launch, the brand's management is making significant cuts.
The car brand plans to significantly reduce the number of engineers in England, even though the employees in question have been central to the development of the new car.
The reduction will affect staff at Polestar's research and development centres, specifically at the Nuneaton, Warwickshire and Coventry sites.
The British teams of employees have otherwise played a crucial role in the development of the car. Software development in particular has been a significant focus area for the British departments.
Polestar emphasizes that there are no layoffs in Sweden. The automaker will continue research and development in both the UK and Sweden.
Polestar stated this in a statement to the BBC .
The brand writes that the cuts must be made 'in a socially responsible manner'. And they are actually not alone in that formulation. Read more about it here .
The Chinese-Swedish brand is initially working on voluntary redundancy schemes, with layoffs described as a last resort.
Polestar 5: a Grand Tourer with lots of horsepower
At the same time, expectations for the new Polestar 5 are high. The car is described as a GT-format supercar.
The Polestar 5 also differs from previous models in terms of construction. It is made of anodized aluminum. The joints are made with thermosetting adhesives instead of traditional welds.
The new construction method is intended to make the electric car lighter. Lower weight could potentially improve the car's range and driving characteristics.
The launch of the Polestar 5 will take place later this year. And it will have a whopping 884 horsepower and a staggering 900 newton meters.
But for many of the engineers who helped create the car, the future is uncertain. They face layoffs in the midst of celebrating what is in many ways 'their' project.
– Unfortunately, the entire staff will no longer be needed. Therefore, we must reduce the number in the research departments, the report says.
