Polestar Board of Directors Undergoes Leadership Transition with Strategic Focus on EV Market Expansion

Polestar (Nasdaq: PSNY) has announced significant changes to its board of directors structure, signaling the company’s shift into a new growth phase in the competitive electric vehicle market. The automotive brand has named Winfried Vahland as its new Board Chair, with the transition becoming effective following the upcoming Annual General Meeting of Shareholders.

Leadership Changes and Strategic Direction

Håkan Samuelsson, who has guided Polestar’s board since the company’s 2017 launch as an independent electric performance brand, is stepping down from his chairman role. Under his tenure, Polestar expanded its model lineup and established a strong market presence across multiple regions. Samuelsson expressed confidence in the company’s achievements: “Polestar has accomplished remarkable growth as Europe’s leading independent pure-EV manufacturer, setting itself apart through the intersection of design excellence, luxury appeal and high-performance capabilities.”

Carla De Geyseleer, who served as Audit Committee Chair and played a crucial role in Polestar’s Nasdaq listing, has decided not to seek re-election to focus on her executive responsibilities. Her departure marks the end of an important chapter in the company’s early institutional development.

The New Board Chair Brings Deep Automotive Expertise

Vahland takes the helm with an extensive background in international automotive leadership. His career trajectory includes roles as CEO and President of Volkswagen Group China (2005-2010), where he orchestrated a major operational turnaround, and CEO of Škoda Auto (2010-2015), where he delivered brand repositioning and record financial performance. Most recently, he served a five-year tenure on Volvo Cars’ board before joining Polestar in January 2024.

Vahland outlined an ambitious vision for Polestar’s trajectory: “The momentum is undeniable. We’ve proven with a single model that Polestar represents a new standard for performance and design in the EV era. Now, with Polestar 3 and 4 already in market and Polestar 5 garnering exceptional early acclaim, our full product offensive is accelerating. These vehicles demonstrate that Polestar is positioned to be among the automotive industry’s transformation leaders.”

Strengthening Governance Through New Appointments

To fortify its board composition, Polestar has proposed two additional directors subject to shareholder approval:

Christine Gorjanc brings more than 35 years of finance and accounting expertise. Previously serving as CFO at Netgear and Arlo Technologies, Gorjanc has extensive public and private board experience, including audit committee chairmanships and compensation committee roles. She currently serves as lead director at Juniper Networks and is proposed to chair Polestar’s Audit Committee.

Xiaojie Shen (Laura) contributes over two decades of automotive sector experience, having held senior positions including Vice President and Managing Director roles within Volkswagen Group China and previous leadership positions at BMW Brilliance.

The board of directors enhancements reflect Polestar’s strategic emphasis on financial rigor and automotive operational excellence as the company scales production and expands its model range in increasingly competitive global markets.