Polestar launches cellphone

A Swedish carmaker has launched its own cellphone in China, where high-tech and highly connected offerings are popular with drivers.

It has been developed by Polestar Automotive Holding’s design team in Gothenburg and Chinese smartphone maker Xingji Meizu Group. 

Both companies are controlled by billionaire Li Shufu’s car conglomerate Zhejiang Geely Holding Group.

The phone, which comes with up to one terabyte of storage and a 50 megapixel camera, will run on an operating system adapted from Xingji Meizu’s Flyme Auto that can connect seamlessly with Polestar’s electric cars.

Calls, messaging, music and videos from the device can be displayed on the in-car dashboard. 

The line between automakers and tech companies in China is blurring with vehicles increasingly equipped with voice control, large dashboards and advanced driver-assistance systems. 

Polestar’s foray into smartphones comes as it struggles with sluggish car sales. It delivered 54,600 units globally last year, short of its target of 60,000, and is cutting about 450 jobs.

Earlier this year, bailed out Polestar to relieve financial pressure on another company it owns – Volvo Car AB. The brand is facing competition in China where marques are heavily discounting prices and overall growth is slowing.