Audi takes legal action to block Chinese-made E5 Sportback and E7X from European market
Audi has launched legal steps to stop parallel imports of its China-only AUDI E5 Sportback and E7X electric vehicles into Germany, after an importer had already delivered the cars to buyers. The manufacturer says the models were never intended for sale outside China.
Audi has taken legal action to halt parallel imports of the AUDI E5 Sportback and E7X electric vehicles, models built specifically for the Chinese market, into Germany, German outlet "Automobilwoche" reports. The case was also covered by iAuto.lv, citing German media.
Audi developed both models together with its Chinese partner SAIC exclusively for the domestic market, marketing them under a new brand identity that differs from traditional Audi — without the four-ring logo and with the brand name written in capital letters.
Importer had already sold the cars
A company called Auto China had already imported the vehicles into Germany, obtained homologation, and offered them to buyers. Despite this, Audi pursued legal action against the importer, arguing the vehicles were never intended for export outside China.
Potential problems for owners
According to Audi, the issue extends beyond possible competition with its own e-tron lineup. Because the China-market vehicles fall outside Europe's official Audi dealer network, owners could face difficulties with software updates, diagnostics, spare parts, repairs and servicing.
Following the legal move, the E5 Sportback and E7X have disappeared from Auto China's listings, though the importer continues to offer other Chinese-brand vehicles.
Audi is seeking to prevent the significantly cheaper, well-equipped, China-only electric vehicles from reaching Europe through unofficial channels. At the same time, the willingness of importers and buyers to bring in these models points to genuine demand — raising the question of why such vehicles are not officially offered to European customers.
