Audi has initiated legal proceedings to block the parallel import of its China-exclusive electric vehicles, the E5 Sportback and E7X, into Germany. These models are produced under the AUDI brand, a joint venture between Audi and SAIC, which intentionally excludes the traditional Four Rings branding.
The German importer Auto China has been bringing these vehicles into the country, handling homologation and registration. Audi representatives stated that the company will rigorously enforce its rights, noting that these cars are not intended for distribution outside of China through official channels.
The automaker emphasized that its authorized European dealer network cannot provide maintenance, diagnostics, or replacement parts for these models, as they are not classified as official Audi products outside of China. This creates significant practical challenges for owners regarding service and long-term support.
While the E5 Sportback and E7X have recently been removed from the Auto China website, the importer did not confirm whether this action resulted from Audi's legal pressure. The site continues to list various other Chinese-market vehicles from brands including Xiaomi, Jetour, Zeekr, and Huawei.
