Polestar publishes Q2 2024 results: 82% growth in global deliveries
- 13,150 cars delivered in Q2 2024, up 82% compared to Q1 2024
- 30% improvement in inventory turnover driving working capital reduction with positive impact on cash flow
- Secured up to
USD 300 million in additional external funding in August
Deliveries were 13,150 cars, an 82% increase compared to the first quarter, taking global deliveries for the first six months of the year to 20,371, with strong momentum especially in the
Recent developments:
- Appointed
Michael Lohscheller as Polestar CEO, effectiveOctober 1, 2024 . Michael previously served as CEO of Opel, VinFast and Nikola and brings a wealth of expertise in the automotive industry, particularly in navigating competitive markets and scaling businesses. - Appointed Philipp Römers as Head of Design and
Michael Manske as Head ofGlobal Communications & PR . Phillip joins from AUDI AG where he was Head of Exterior Design, and Michael fromVolkswagen Group where he held a variety of roles. - Commenced Polestar 4 SUV coupé deliveries in
Europe . Initial vehicles delivered to customers inGermany ,Norway ,Sweden ,Netherlands ,Denmark andBelgium . - Started production of luxury SUV, Polestar 3 in
South Carolina, USA . The firstSouth Carolina -produced cars are being handed over to customers in the next few weeks. - Secured up to
USD 300 million in external funding, in the form of a one-year revolving term loan facility and intended to be used for general corporate purposes. - Filed 2023 Annual Report on Form 20-F with the
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission , and as a result, regained reporting compliance under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5250(c)(1).
Outlook
As previously reported, sales momentum seen in the second quarter had a positive impact on inventory levels and cash flow. Polestar remains confident of a stronger second half of the year, particularly in the fourth quarter as sales of the two premium SUVs build.
Conference call and upcoming events
Polestar management will hold a live audio webcast today
Following the completion of the call, a replay will be available at https://investors.polestar.com/.
Key financial highlights
The below table summarises key preliminary unaudited financial results for the six months ended
(in millions of
(unaudited)
|
For the six months ended |
||
|
2024 |
2023 |
% Change |
|
|
(Restated) |
|
Revenue |
918.0 |
1,237.6 |
(26) |
Cost of sales |
(947.1) |
(1,216.0) |
(22) |
Gross (loss) profit |
(29.1) |
21.6 |
n/m |
Gross margin (%) |
(3.2) |
1.7 |
n/m |
Selling, general and administrative expense |
(437.8) |
(474.6) |
(8) |
Research and development expense |
(23.3) |
(83.1) |
(72) |
Other operating income, net |
24.0 |
38.6 |
(38) |
Operating loss |
(466.2) |
(497.5) |
(6) |
- Revenue decreased by
USD 319.6 million or 26%, mainly due to lower global vehicle sales and higher discounts in a competitive market. - Gross result decreased by
USD 50.7 million to a gross loss ofUSD 29.1 million with lower vehicle sales and higher discounts. Cost of sales was also impacted as IP related to the Polestar 2 previously depreciated into research and development expense is now capitalized into inventory and released into cost of sales upon inventory sale. - Selling, general and administrative expense decreased by
USD 36.8 million , or 8%, with management actions offsetting costs for promotional activities related to commercial campaigns and events for Polestar 3 and Polestar 4 global launches. - Research and development expense decreased by
USD 59.7 million or 72% toUSD 23.3 million mainly driven by increased capitalization for future car models and Polestar 2 IP amortization now being capitalized in inventory. - Other operating income decreased by
USD 14.5 million or 38%. - Operating loss decreased by
USD 31.2 million or 6%, with lower revenue offset by cost management actions.
Key financial highlights
The below table summarises key preliminary unaudited financial results for the three months ended
(in millions of
(unaudited)
|
For the three months ended |
||
|
|
|
% |
2024 |
2023 |
Change |
|
|
|
(Restated) |
|
Revenue |
574.9 |
693.3 |
(17) |
Cost of sales |
(579.1) |
(692.4) |
(16) |
Gross (loss) profit |
(4.2) |
0.9 |
n/m |
Gross margin (%) |
(0.7) |
0.1 |
n/m |
Selling, general and administrative expense |
(225.8) |
(258.9) |
(13) |
Research and development expense |
(11.6) |
(47.3) |
(76) |
Other operating (expense) income, net |
(0.7) |
31.7 |
n/m |
Operating loss |
(242.3) |
(273.6) |
(12) |
- Revenue decreased by
USD 118.4 million or 17% due to lower global volumes and higher discounts. - Gross result decreased by
USD 5.1 million , with an impact of lower global volumes and higher discounts partially offset by positive impact of impairment release and some normalisation of revenue recognition on sales of cars to China JV. - Selling, general and administrative expenses were down
USD 33.1 million or 13% with cost management actions. - Research and development decreased by
USD 35.7 million or 76% mainly due to higher capitalization of internal development program expenditures and Polestar 2 IP amortization now being capitalized in inventory. - Other operating income decreased by
USD 32.4 million , primarily due to foreign exchange effects. - Operating loss decreased by
USD 31.3 million or 12%.
Cash flow highlights
The below table summarises preliminary cash flow for the six months ended
(in millions of
(unaudited)
|
For the six months ended |
|
2024 |
Beginning cash |
768.9 |
Operating |
(166.1) |
Investing |
(354.3) |
Financing |
440.8 |
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents |
(20.4) |
Ending cash |
668.9 |
- Operating cash outflow of
USD 166.1 million , less than the operating loss, as improved working capital mainly due to inventory management actions primarily seen in the second quarter. - Investing cash outflow of
USD 354.3 million , predominantly driven by intellectual property investments related to the Polestar 3, Polestar 4 and Polestar 5 as well asUSD 34.3 million capital injection into China JV. - Financing cash inflow of
USD 440.8 million , with proceeds fromUSD 950 million club loan facility, partially offset by principal repayments on borrowings and trade financing facilities.
Preliminary key operational highlights
The below table summarises key preliminary operational results as of and for the six months ended
|
For the six months ended |
% Change |
|
|
2024 |
2023 |
|
|
|
|
|
Global volumes1 |
20,371 |
27,868 |
(27) |
– including external vehicles with repurchase obligations |
978 |
1,229 |
(20) |
– including internal vehicles |
907 |
516 |
76 |
For the six months ended |
Change |
||
|
2024 |
2023 |
|
|
|
|
|
Markets2 |
27 |
27 |
0 |
Locations3 |
189 |
150 |
39 |
Service points4 |
1,163 |
1,129 |
34 |
(1) |
Represents the sum of total volume of vehicles delivered for (a) external sales of new vehicles without repurchase obligations, (b) external sales of vehicles with repurchase obligations, and (c) internal use vehicles for demonstration and commercial purposes or to be used by Polestar employees (vehicles are owned by Polestar and included in inventory). A vehicle is deemed delivered and included in the volume figure for each category once invoiced and registered to the external or internal counterparty, irrespective of revenue recognition. Revenue is recognized in scenarios (a) and (b) in accordance with IFRS 15, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, and IFRS 16, Leases, respectively. Revenue is not recognized in scenario (c). |
(2) |
Represents the markets in which Polestar operates. |
(3) |
Represents Polestar Spaces, Polestar Destinations, and Polestar Test Drive Centers. |
(4) |
Represents |
|
|
|
Ends.
Contacts
Bojana Flint
Head of IR
Bojana.flint@polestar.com
Theo Kjellberg
Head of Corporate PR
theo.kjellberg@polestar.com
Statement Regarding Preliminary Unaudited Financial and Operational Results
The unaudited financial and operational information published in this press release is preliminary and subject to potential adjustments. Potential adjustments to operational and consolidated financial information may be identified from work performed during Polestar’s year-end audit. This could result in differences from the unaudited operational and financial information published herein. For the avoidance of doubt, the preliminary unaudited operational and financial information published in this press release should not be considered a substitute for the financial information filed with the
About Polestar
Polestar (Nasdaq: PSNY) is the Swedish electric performance car brand determined to improve society by using design and technology to accelerate the shift to sustainable mobility. Headquartered in
Polestar plans to have a line-up of five performance EVs by 2026. Polestar 2, the electric performance fastback, launched in 2019. Polestar 3, the SUV for the electric age, launched in late 2022. Polestar 4, the SUV coupé transformed, is launching in phases through 2023 and into 2024. Polestar 5, an electric four-door GT and Polestar 6, an electric roadster, are coming soon.
The Polestar 0 project supports the company’s ambitious goal of creating a truly climate-neutral production car by 2030. The research initiative also aims to create a sense of urgency to act on the climate crisis, by challenging employees, suppliers and the wider automotive industry, to drive towards zero.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release (“Press Release”) may be considered “forward-looking statements” as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements generally relate to future events or the future financial or operating performance of Polestar including the number of vehicle deliveries and gross margin. For example, projections of revenue, volumes, margins, cash flow break-even and other financial or operating metrics and statements regarding expectations of future needs for funding and plans related thereto are forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may”, “should”, “expect”, “intend”, “will”, “estimate”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “predict”, “potential”, “forecast”, “plan”, “seek”, “future”, “propose” or “continue”, or the negatives of these terms or variations of them or similar terminology. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward looking statements.
These forward-looking statements are based upon estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by Polestar and its management, as the case may be, are inherently uncertain. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include, but are not limited to: (1) Polestar’s ability to maintain agreements or partnerships with its strategic partners, such as Volvo Cars,
Nothing in this Press Release should be regarded as a representation by any person that the forward-looking statements set forth herein will be achieved or that any of the contemplated results of such forward-looking statements will be achieved. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. Polestar assumes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future, except as may be required by law.
Appendix A
Polestar
Preliminary Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Loss
(in thousands of
|
For the six months ended |
|
|
2024 |
2023 |
|
|
(Restated) |
Revenue |
917,993 |
1,237,635 |
Cost of sales |
(947,094) |
(1,216,020) |
Gross (loss) profit |
(29 101) |
21,615 |
Selling, general and administrative expense |
(437,839) |
(474,607) |
Research and development expense |
(23,345) |
(83,050) |
Other operating income, net |
24,034 |
38,559 |
Operating loss |
(466 251) |
(497,483) |
Finance income |
5,606 |
12,489 |
Finance expense |
(201,427) |
(92,656) |
Fair value change - Earn-out rights |
139,638 |
232,995 |
Fair value change - Class |
2,500 |
10,750 |
Share of losses in associates |
(4,350) |
— |
Loss before income taxes |
(524,285) |
(333,905) |
|
|
|
Income tax expense |
(17,003) |
(6,925) |
Net loss |
(541,288) |
(340,830) |
Preliminary Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Financial Position
(in thousands of
|
As of 2024 |
As of December, 31, 2023 |
Assets |
|
|
Total non-current assets |
1,991,711 |
1,850,194 |
Current assets |
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents1 |
668,911 |
768,927 |
Other current assets |
1,171,629 |
1,502,183 |
Total current assets |
1,840,540 |
2,271,110 |
Total assets |
3,832,251 |
4,121,304 |
|
|
|
Total equity |
1,821,318 |
1,262,299 |
|
|
|
Liabilities |
|
|
Total non-current liabilities |
(2,611,599) |
(1,863,313) |
Total current liabilities |
(3,041,970) |
(3,520,290) |
Total liabilities |
(5,653,569) |
(5,383,603) |
Total equity and liabilities |
(3,832,251) |
(4,121,304) |
(1) Excludes restricted cash
Preliminary Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
(in thousands of
|
For the six months ended |
|
|
2024 |
2023 |
|
|
(Restated) |
Cash used for operating activities |
(166,119) |
(660,242) |
Cash used for investing activities |
(354,337) |
(279,168) |
Cash provided by financing activities |
440,827 |
1,061,440 |
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash and cash |
(20,387) |
(38,495) |
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents |
(100,016) |
83,535 |
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period |
768,927 |
973,877 |
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period |
668,911 |
1,057,412 |
Appendix B
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Polestar uses both generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP," i.e., IFRS) and non-GAAP (i.e., non-IFRS) financial measures to evaluate operating performance, for internal comparisons to historical performance, and for financial decision-making purposes. Polestar believes non-GAAP financial measures are helpful to investors as they provide useful perspective on underlying business trends and assist in period on period comparisons.
These non-GAAP measures are presented for supplemental information purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for financial information presented in accordance with GAAP. The measures are not presented under a comprehensive set of accounting rules and, therefore, should only be read in conjunction with financial information reported under GAAP when understanding Polestar's operating performance.
The measures may not be the same as similarly titled measures used by other companies due to possible differences in calculation methods and items or events being adjusted. A reconciliation between non-GAAP financial measures and the most comparable GAAP performance measures is provided below.
Non-GAAP financial measures include adjusted operating loss, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net loss, and free cash flow.
Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA is calculated as listing expense, fair value change of earn-out rights, fair value change of Class
Adjusted Net Loss
Adjusted net loss is calculated as net loss, adjusted to exclude listing expense, fair value change of earn-out rights, and fair value change of Class
Free Cash Flow
Free cash flow is calculated by subtracting cash flows used for property, plant and equipment and intangible assets from cash used for operating activities. This measure is reviewed by management and is a relevant measure for understanding cash sourced from operating activities that is available to repay debts, fund capital expenditures, and spend on other strategic initiatives.
Unaudited Reconciliation of GAAP and Non-GAAP Results
Adjusted EBITDA
(in millions of |
For the six months ended |
|
|
2024 |
2023 |
|
|
(Restated) |
Net loss |
(541,288) |
(340,830) |
Fair value change - Earn-out rights |
(139,638) |
(232,995) |
Fair value change - Class |
(2,500) |
(10,750) |
Interest income |
(5,606) |
(12,489) |
Interest expense |
162,536 |
73,356 |
Income tax expense |
17,003 |
6,925 |
Depreciation and amortization expense |
18,847 |
53,204 |
Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP) |
(490,646) |
(463,579) |
Adjusted Net Loss
(in millions of |
For the six months ended |
|
|
2024 |
2023 |
|
|
(Restated) |
Net loss |
(541,288) |
(340,830) |
Fair value change - Earn-out rights |
(139,638) |
(232,995) |
Fair value change - Class |
(2,500) |
(10,750) |
Adjusted net loss (non-GAAP) |
(683,426) |
(584,575) |
Free cash flow
(in millions of |
For the six months ended |
|
|
2024 |
2023 |
|
|
(Restated) |
Net cash used for operating activities |
(166,119) |
(660,242) |
Additions to property, plant, and equipment |
(83,137) |
(42,948) |
Additions to intangible assets |
(236,935) |
(237,930) |
Free cash flow (non-GAAP) |
(486,191) |
(941,120) |