Chine
Polestones
Polestones (極石 in Chinese, sometimes transcribed Jishi or Polar Stone) is a young Chinese automaker linked to the manufacturer Rox Motor, headquartered in Shanghai. The project was launched in January 2021 by Chang Jing, an entrepreneur best known as a co-founder of Roborock, the robot vacuum maker backed in its early days by Xiaomi. An off-road enthusiast, Chang Jing reinvested part of his fortune into building an automaker devoted to high-end electrified vehicles, largely aluminum in construction and geared toward adventure and the outdoors. The Polestones commercial brand was unveiled in 2023, and the company gradually consolidated its identity under the name Rox Motor starting in 2024. To accelerate its development, the company formed technology partnerships with several major suppliers, including Bosch, CATL (batteries), Continental and Valeo. The first vehicle, presented on August 22, 2023 under the name Polestones 01 (also called Jishi 01, then Rox 01), is a large range-extender SUV with a boxy design evoking classic off-roaders, styled by the Italian studio Pininfarina. Series production began in late October 2023 and the first deliveries followed in November 2023, with the vehicle assembled under contract by Beijing Automotive Works (BAW). Still modest on a global scale, Polestones / Rox Motor began international expansion in 2025, mainly toward the Middle East, Africa and Central Asia, where the brand was notably recognized in the electric vehicle category. At the time of writing, the brand has no confirmed official commercial presence in North America and remains essentially an emerging player in the Chinese market, which explains its very limited distribution in Quebec and Canada. Its positioning combines an electrified powertrain, luxurious finishes and a recreational vocation, with unusual features such as a built-in kitchenette and a deployable awning.
ActiveÉlectrique / hybrideCamion / utilitaireChinoises
History
History of Polestones
Polestones (極石 in Chinese, sometimes transcribed Jishi or Polar Stone) is a young Chinese automaker linked to the manufacturer Rox Motor, headquartered in Shanghai. The project was launched in January 2021 by Chang Jing, an entrepreneur best known as a co-founder of Roborock, the robot vacuum maker backed in its early days by Xiaomi. An off-road enthusiast, Chang Jing reinvested part of his fortune into building an automaker devoted to high-end electrified vehicles, largely aluminum in construction and geared toward adventure and the outdoors. The Polestones commercial brand was unveiled in 2023, and the company gradually consolidated its identity under the name Rox Motor starting in 2024. To accelerate its development, the company formed technology partnerships with several major suppliers, including Bosch, CATL (batteries), Continental and Valeo. The first vehicle, presented on August 22, 2023 under the name Polestones 01 (also called Jishi 01, then Rox 01), is a large range-extender SUV with a boxy design evoking classic off-roaders, styled by the Italian studio Pininfarina. Series production began in late October 2023 and the first deliveries followed in November 2023, with the vehicle assembled under contract by Beijing Automotive Works (BAW). Still modest on a global scale, Polestones / Rox Motor began international expansion in 2025, mainly toward the Middle East, Africa and Central Asia, where the brand was notably recognized in the electric vehicle category. At the time of writing, the brand has no confirmed official commercial presence in North America and remains essentially an emerging player in the Chinese market, which explains its very limited distribution in Quebec and Canada. Its positioning combines an electrified powertrain, luxurious finishes and a recreational vocation, with unusual features such as a built-in kitchenette and a deployable awning.
Public founding or origin of Polestones.
Technologies
Technologies, innovations and platforms
Polestones relies on a range-extender (EREV) architecture: a turbocharged 1.5L four-cylinder gasoline engine serves as a generator and does not directly drive the wheels, which are instead powered by one or two electric motors. Depending on the configuration, output ranges from about 200 hp (two-wheel drive) to nearly 470 hp with all-wheel drive. The batteries, NMC cells supplied by CATL, allow a pure electric range of roughly 215 to 235 km and a combined range exceeding 1,300 km. The structure makes extensive use of aluminum to keep overall weight down. On the driver-assistance side, the SUV integrates a roof-mounted LiDAR sensor that feeds semi-autonomous functions, along with a generous suite of technology and multimedia features.
Brand image
Identity, reputation, strengths and weaknesses
Positioning
An emerging Chinese brand of electrified, range-extender SUVs with adventurous styling and a recreational-luxury positioning.
Reputation
As a very recent, low-volume brand, Polestones (Rox Motor) does not yet have a long track record for reliability or established resale-value data, especially outside China. Reviews generally praise the Pininfarina-penned design, the well-appointed cabin, the high combined range and the original recreational features, while noting the vehicle's considerable weight and on-road dynamics that are adequate but no more. The perception remains that of an ambitious newcomer. In Quebec, the absence of a dealer network and parts makes the brand practically unknown, which calls for caution regarding maintenance and residual value.
Strengths
Distinctive Pininfarina design, a range-extender architecture delivering high combined range without charging anxiety, aluminum construction, a powerful powertrain in the all-wheel-drive version, and original recreational features (kitchenette, awning). The brand also benefits from solid partnerships with Bosch, CATL, Continental and Valeo.
Points to watch
A very young brand with limited distribution, no established reliability track record or resale value. No dealer network, parts or service in North America, and no official sales in Canada. The vehicle is heavy, the technology is recent and not yet proven at large scale, and there is uncertainty about the automaker's long-term viability.
Models
Polestones models
Current or active models by market
Production and compatibility
Plants, tires and wheels
Production
Production of Polestones / Rox Motor vehicles takes place in China, under contract by Beijing Automotive Works (BAW), while design and engineering are directed from Shanghai. Series assembly began in late 2023. The brand favored a partner-plant strategy rather than immediately building its own facilities, which is common among young Chinese automakers. At the time of writing, no plant or production presence is established in North America, and the brand is not officially marketed there. Its known expansion targets the Middle East, Africa and Central Asia instead, which strongly limits its availability in Canada and Quebec.
Tires and wheels
Polestones SUVs are large in format (roughly 5 m or more in length, with an imposing footprint), which implies large-diameter wheels typical of recent big SUVs (often around 20 to 22 inches depending on the version). For this type of heavy, powerful vehicle, you should aim for tires with adequate load and speed ratings, and respect the bolt pattern and offset specific to the model. In Quebec, winter tires bearing the mountain-snowflake symbol are mandatory and strongly recommended given the vehicle's weight and traction demands. In the absence of precise official figures for the local market, it is essential to confirm the exact factory-fitted size before any purchase.