Polestar Will Not Challenge US Ban, and Dealers Are Displeased With This: TDS
Polestar
The latest automotive news and reviews, no fluff
Welcome to The Downshift, or TDS for short, a morning news summary from The Drive featuring the most significant automotive stories from around the globe.
The Downshift offers concise summaries of news articles with links to additional sources for more detailed information. Here’s your update for Tuesday, July 21, 2026.
🤷 Polestar has decided not to challenge the Commerce Department’s ruling that prohibits the company from selling vehicles in the U.S. due to its connections with China. A representative for the Geely-backed electric vehicle manufacturer stated that Polestar had extensive discussions with authorities and did not believe that an appeal would succeed. This decision has understandably frustrated the brand’s dealer network, which consists of 32 locations in the U.S., particularly after investing time and resources into their operations. [Wall Street Journal]
🏦 In related developments, Mercedes-Benz is eager to mitigate the impact of the legislation banning automakers with over 15% ownership by a Chinese entity, as their ownership exceeds this threshold by nearly 5%. A Senate committee hearing on this proposal, initially set for last week, has been postponed until this week, so we can expect more clarity on the situation soon. [Automotive News]
🅰️ Acura is reportedly planning a new flagship three-row SUV that will be positioned above the MDX and is slated to go into production in 2029. [Automotive News]
📈 Although GM’s net income for the second quarter fell by 31% due to restructuring related to electric vehicles, the company has raised its guidance once more thanks to a robust performance in North America, where profits rose by 43 percent. [Reuters]
💎 Mercedes has introduced the Maybach variant of its GLS SUV, featuring the brand's new twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 engine, which delivers 603 horsepower and 627 lb-ft of torque. [Mercedes]
🚐 Volkswagen reportedly considered adding an optional gas range extender for the ID.Buzz to address range anxiety, but ultimately found it unfeasible due to the vehicle's design, which leaves little room for an engine. [Motor1]
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Polestar Will Not Challenge US Ban, and Dealers Are Displeased With This: TDS
Polestar decided against appealing the U.S. government's ban as it believed success was unlikely. Naturally, dealers would have preferred the company to at least attempt a challenge.