Audi halts independent imports of the AUDI E5 and E7X
The brief workaround for prospective German buyers has been closed for now: Audi has initiated legal action against the importer that had offered the AUDI E5 Sportback and E7X in Germany. Both electric cars have since disappeared from its website.
Audi has not disclosed the specific legal measures being pursued, citing the ongoing proceedings. However, the manufacturer intends to enforce its rights consistently. This brings the independent sale of the two models developed exclusively for China to an end, at least for the time being.
Although the vehicles bear the AUDI name, they belong to a separate product line created specifically for China and do not feature the familiar four-ring logo.
These Chinese electric cars were available in Germany
The E5 Sportback was most recently offered from €59,980. The importer charged at least €72,900 for the larger E7X. Interest was reportedly considerable despite the lack of official Audi marketing.
| Model | Most recent German import price | Current status |
|---|---|---|
| AUDI E5 Sportback | from €59,980 | No longer offered |
| AUDI E7X | from €72,900 | No longer offered |
When the Chinese imports of the AUDI E5 and E7X first became known, Audi emphasized that these vehicles were not intended for Europe. Initially, the company limited itself to that warning. The manufacturer now appears to be taking a much firmer approach to unauthorized distribution.
Why AUDI is not simply Audi
The AUDI brand, developed jointly with SAIC, is aimed specifically at Chinese customers. Its models deliberately omit the four-ring logo and combine technology from the Audi ecosystem with Chinese software, electronics and digital services.
The platform was also created as part of this partnership. This enables Audi to respond more quickly to the rapid pace of development and the specific digital requirements of the Chinese market. The company still has no plans to officially sell the E5 Sportback or E7X in Europe.
This distinction matters for German customers. An imported AUDI E5 is not a model sold through Audi’s regular European distribution network and cannot automatically be treated like an official Audi electric car when it comes to warranties, spare parts, connectivity and software services. One regular European alternative, for example, is the Audi A6 e-tron.
There are reasons for the large price difference compared with China
Depending on the version, the E5 Sportback costs considerably less in China when converted into euros. Even the top version, with up to 579 kW, costs slightly more than €40,000 there. At first glance, the German import price therefore appeared much less spectacular.
However, a direct comparison does not tell the whole story. Transport, customs duties, homologation, technical modifications and separate warranty packages significantly increase the cost of such an import. Simply adding transport costs to the Chinese price therefore does not produce a realistic final price for Germany.
VW ID.6 provides the legal blueprint
The Audi case is reminiscent of the parallel import of the VW ID.6 Crozz, which was intended exclusively for China. A dealer had brought 22 vehicles to Germany. In a partial judgment issued in March 2026, the Hamburg Regional Court largely ruled in Volkswagen’s favor, although the decision was not yet legally binding at that time.
The case centered on trademark and design rights. One key issue is whether a product was placed on the market in the European Economic Area with the rights holder’s consent. This is precisely where models intended exclusively for China run into problems.
This explains why Audi is not merely warning about technical or practical disadvantages but is also taking legal action against their distribution. The case is therefore less about opposing attractive electric cars from China and more about controlling the brand, market approval and distribution channels.
What this means for prospective German buyers
Anyone who has ordered an E5 Sportback or E7X will have to await further developments in the proceedings and review their individual contractual situation. Vehicles that have already been imported will not automatically disappear from German roads because of the sales halt. For new customers, however, the regular purchasing route through the importer concerned is closed for now.
Other Chinese electric cars can still be imported independently, provided that no comparable legal obstacles apply. Nevertheless, such a purchase remains more complicated than buying an officially offered model, particularly with regard to registration, warranties, spare parts and the long-term availability of online services.
