Polestar is reportedly dipping its toes into the mobile device industry.
The brand is partnering with smartphone company Xingji Meizu to launch its own smartphone in December, Polestar CEO Thomas Ingenlath told CNBC.
Both Polestar and Xingji Meizu are owned by Chinese parent company Geely.
The Verge reports the smartphones will likely be a showcase in how connectable and computerised Polestar cars are, rather than an effort to take on industry giants such as Apple.
“Where you have an opportunity to link these two worlds, without any border … then you can really have a seamless transition,” Mr Ingenlath told CNBC.
There are question marks over the compatibility of the products’ operating systems (OS) however. Polestar cars feature a native Android OS from Google whereas Xingji Meizu uses Flyme, an Android-based OS.
The Verge reports Polestar could make syncing your phone to your car easier by using software developed by Xingji Meizu. Whether the Xingji Meizu software is an add-in as part of an over-the-air update or a whole new operating system is unclear, however the latter is unlikely.
This is the latest in a line of other Polestar brand deals. The company has also partnered with Sweden’s Cake to produce electric mopeds as well as partnering with Allebike, another Swedish company that makes mountain bikes.
Polestar’s partnership with Xingji Meizu is reportedly an attempt by Geely to push Xingji Meizu upmarket. As Polestar is a premium EV producer, it gives Xingji Meizu, traditionally a mid-tier phone maker, an opportunity to sell to a more upmarket audience.
However, the brand’s partnership is not completely unique, with other brands also pivoting to make phones such as China’s Nio, who will reportedly release their own smartphone later this month.
