Waylands Automotive has officially opened the doors to its new Polestar Space at Cribbs Mall in Cribbs Causeway, Bristol.

The AM Award-winning car retail group’s site it the Geely-owned performance electric vehicle (EV) brand’s fifth in the UK and its opening marks the start of a new OEM partnership for the group.

It adds to a Waylands car retail portfolio which includes five Volvo dealerships, two Kia and two MG, alongside its Waylands E used electric vehicle (EV) operation.

Commenting on the new partnership the head of Polestar UK, Jonathan Goodman, said: “As a city committed to a sustainable future, choosing Bristol as the destination for our next Polestar Space was a no-brainer.

“The Space in Cribbs Mall is located in a pivotal retail destination in the South West making it easier than ever for customers to interact with the brand.”

Waylands Automotive chief executive John O’Hanlon recently discussed Waylands' rapid growth and its growing involvement in property development in an interview on the AM News Show podcast.

The opening of its new Polestar Space at Cribbs Causeway follows Paul Rigby’s opening of a Polestar Space in Solihull and Endeavour Automotive’s move into a new Polestar Space at Battersea Power Station.

Endeavour is also developing a new Polestar site as part of its plans to create a new group headquarters and Volvo dealership in West London.

All Polestar sales are completed entirely online – through the Polestar app or website – with its Polestar Space facilities designed to offer a brand experience to customers, along with an option to test drive a range of EVs which is set to grow in 2023.

Polestar delivered a 79.3% rise in new car registrations from just one car – the Polestar 2 hatchback – in 2022, but the Polestar 3 large electric SUV will join its line-up later this year.

Goodman said: “We continue to change the face of the traditional automotive retail model with our direct to consumer digital-first approach and our Bristol Space will feature the same state-of-the-art minimalist design and allow our customers, not us, to define and shape the experience they have with Polestar.

“With no sales pressure, an intimate environment and cutting-edge technology we continue to put the fun back into buying a car.”

Polestar said that Waylands’ new Polestar Space, located in the mall just off just off the M5 to the north of Bristol city centre, would also fulfil the role of a community hub.

As part of a new initiative, each Polestar Space will “foster a community”, hosting talks and exhibitions, from design and architecture to technology and of course automotive, it said.