Cost of sales and gross profit
Cost of sales increased by $488,915 or 98%, from $498,966 for the six months ended June 30, 2021 to $987,881 for the six months ended June 30, 2022. Gross profit increased by $17,603 or 49%, from a profit of $35,813 for the six months ended June 30, 2021 to a profit of $53,416 for the six months ended June 30, 2022. The increases were driven by expanded production and commercialisation of Polestar 2 vehicles. The reduction of revenue per car that was primarily driven by product mix and market mix for the six months ended June 30, 2022 had a direct impact on gross profit.
Selling, general and administrative expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased by $167,928, or 60%, from $278,853 for the six months ended June 30, 2021 to $446,781 for the six months ended June 30, 2022. The increase is primarily due to (1) increased investments in advertising, marketing, and promotional activities as part of Polestar’s commercial expansion across new and existing markets, (2) increased professional service fees related to accounting, finance, and information technology, and (3) higher wages and salaries associated with scaling headcount of Polestar’s sales and administrative personnel to meet the demands of the growing business.
Research and development expenses
Research and development expenses decreased by $8,116, or 8%, from $106,871 for the six months ended June 30, 2021 to $98,755 for the six months ended June 30, 2022. The decrease is the result of lower amortisation of intangible assets related to the Polestar 1, which was fully amortised during the 2021 period. The lower amortisations for Polestar 1 is partially offset by increased research and development activities related to future vehicles and battery electric technologies, including the Polestar Precept and the P10 powertrain.
Other operating expenses, net
Other operating expenses, net increased by $5,972, or 40%, from $14,770 for the six months ended June 30, 2021 to $20,742 for the six months ended June 30, 2022. The increased expense is mainly driven by negative foreign exchange (“FX”) effects on payables to Volvo Cars for the contract manufacturing of the Polestar 2. The listing expense of $372,318 incurred upon the merger with GGI on June 23, 2022 is non-recurring and presented separately below Other operating expenses, net.
Finance income and Finance expense
Finance income decreased by $14,420, or 95%, from $15,194 for the six months ended June 30, 2021 to $774 for the six months ended June 30, 2022. The decrease is driven by a negative net FX effect related to financial items for the six month ended June 30, 2022 compared to a positive net FX effect related to financial items for the six month ended June 30, 2021. Finance expense increased by $39,052, or 316%, from $12,375 for the six months ended June 30, 2021 to $51,427 for the six months ended June 30, 2022. The increase is primarily related to higher interest expense associated with partly short-term financing facilities and partly overdue trade payables and also the negative net FX effect on financial items for the six month ended June 30, 2022 compared to a positive net FX effect related to financial items for the six month ended June 30, 2021. The negative FX effect for the first six month ended June 30, 2022 is mainly driven by unrealised FX related to the working capital loan of $400,000 recorded in the subsidiary Polestar Performance AB with functional currency SEK.
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