Audi sues importer over Chinese electric models in Germany

Audi has initiated legal action against the independent importer Auto China to stop the unauthorized sale of electric vehicle models in Germany. The dispute centers on the E5 Sportback and E7X, which were developed through a joint venture between Audi and SAIC specifically for the Chinese market.

These vehicles are sold under the brand name AUDI (in all capital letters) and do not feature the traditional four-ring logo. Audi maintains that these models are not intended for European distribution and that their presence in Germany via parallel imports could cannibalize sales of the official e-tron line.

Beyond brand identity, Audi expressed concerns regarding technical support and safety. Because the vehicles are designed for the Chinese digital ecosystem, official European service networks may be unable to provide necessary software updates, diagnostics, or specialized maintenance. While Auto China claims to handle homologation and warranties, Audi asserts that these vehicles are not integrated into its official European service and support infrastructure.