Getty Image: Polestar, a renowned EV manufacturer which is based in Sweden and owned by China, is all set to expand its range beyond electric cars. In an unexpected move, the company has decided to venture into the smartphone market. Thomas Ingenlath, the CEO of Polestar, informed CNBC during the IAA Mobility auto exhibition in Munich, Germany, this week that the company is gearing up to launch its own smartphone by December.

The smartphone production will be undertaken by Xingji Meizu, a smartphone producer owned by Geely, the parent company of Polestar. However, Ingenlath made it clear that this development should not be interpreted as Polestar trying to compete with established Chinese tech giants such as Apple and Oppo. Instead, he stated that these phones would serve as the ideal means to demonstrate the versatile technological capabilities of Polestar's electric vehicles, which are essentially computers on four wheels.

Ingenlath expressed his vision to CNBC, 'We can achieve a seamless transition by merging these two technological realms without any barriers'. However, detailed information regarding the phone’s launch and the markets it will be targeting remain undisclosed as the company's spokesperson did not respond to any queries about these aspects immediately.

Analysts speculate that this move indicates Geely's attempt to propel its smartphone subsidiary Xingji Meizu into the premium segment of the market. Currently recognized for crafting mid-tier phones, the strategic partnership with Polestar, a luxury EV maker, can provide Xingji Meizu with an opportunity to appeal to a more affluent clientele.

Questions abound regarding the operating system to be employed in these phones. Polestar’s EVs come equipped with native Android software from Google, whereas Xingji Meizu employs an Android-based operating system named Flyme. CNBC reported that Polestar intends to use Xingji Meizu’s software in its cars for effortless smartphone-car synchronization.

Even though most car manufacturers deliberately avoid foraying into the smartphone industry due to their own intricate supply chains, this is not an isolated incident as there are other instances of Chinese EV companies exploring the smartphone market. For example, NIO announced its intention to launch its own smartphone soon. On a different note, Polestar is also involved in other partnerships like their collaboration with Cake of Sweden for manufacturing electric mopeds and with Allebike of Sweden for producing a Polestar-branded non-electric mountain bike. Ingenlath expressed his desire for their upcoming e-bikes to be more than just a marketing gimmick.