Polestar reached its 2021 international gross sales aim of 29,000 automobiles, which was a improve of greater than 185 p.c on 2020, the Volvo Vehicles subsidiary stated on Tuesday.

Polestar, which plans to go public through a merger with the special-purpose acquisition firm Gores Guggenheim within the first half of this yr, has a fair harder aim for this yr: 65,000 gross sales.

CEO Thomas Ingenlath advised Automotive Information Europe he’s cautiously optimistic the electrical automotive maker, which depends on the Polestar 2 for essentially the most of its present quantity, will be capable of increase gross sales by practically 125 p.c this yr regardless of the continuing chip disaster.

“Up to now, we’ve had no motive to regulate our outlook downward, however who is aware of how unhealthy issues can be. We must wait and see how 2022 develops,” he stated.

Polestar, which ranks itself alongside Tesla as the one international EV-only gamers within the premium market, will debut a brand new mannequin every every year beginning with the Polestar 3 premium giant SUV in 2022.

It will likely be adopted by the Polestar 4 midsize SUV and the Polestar 5 premium giant sedan in 2023 and 2024, respectively. The intention is to achieve international gross sales of 290,000 by 2025 (see chart, beneath).

Polestar expanded its attain to 19 markets final yr from 10 in 2020, led by new additions akin to Austria, Denmark and Hong Kong.

The expansion will proceed within the first half of this yr as Polestar plans so as to add Spain, Portugal and Eire in addition to enter the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Israel.

By the top of 2023, Polestar goals to be working in not less than 30 international markets.

Moreover, Polestar’s retail footprint greater than doubled in 2021 to 100 areas globally and the corporate goals to have 150 in operation by the top of 2022.

“This positively will speed up with the rise in quantity that may include the arrival of the Polestar 3,” Ingenlath advised ANE. “It’s taking place in all of the international locations the place we’re energetic as we transfer from being within the large capitals to the subsequent wave of areas.”