Audi is taking legal action in Germany to stop the parallel import of its China-only E5 Sportback and E7X electric vehicles. The models were developed with SAIC for the separate AUDI brand, but German importer Auto China has been bringing them into the country, completing homologation and offering them to local customers.

An Audi spokesperson told Automobilwoche that the automaker has begun legal proceedings against the importer and intends to enforce its rights. The move puts Audi in the unusual position of trying to keep Audi-related electric vehicles out of its home market.

Why Audi created the AUDI brand

Audi and SAIC created AUDI as an EV-only brand specifically for China. Its vehicles use the all-caps AUDI name and do not wear Audi’s familiar Four Rings. The strategy is aimed explicitly at younger, tech-focused customers who want a different design and technology proposition from Audi’s established lineup.

The E5 Sportback and E7X look substantially different from the Audi models sold through the automaker’s global range, both inside and out. Their appearance in Germany was not part of Audi’s official distribution plan, and the company could also face additional competition for customers considering its own e-tron models.

Parallel-import service concerns

Auto China has said it can manage the process of homologation, registration, warranty coverage and service support for the imported vehicles. However, a car imported independently does not automatically become part of Audi’s official European dealer network.

Audi said its authorized dealers outside China cannot perform maintenance work on these vehicles because the AUDI models are treated as non-Audi vehicles in markets outside China. That could create questions around software, diagnostics, replacement parts and repairs, particularly as electric vehicles rely on extensive sensors, cameras and driver-assistance systems.

Getting a China-market EV registered for German road use is therefore only one part of ownership. Long-term support may depend on the importer rather than Audi’s established European infrastructure.

Importer website removes the two EVs

The E5 Sportback and E7X no longer appear on Auto China’s website. The importer did not tell Automobilwoche whether the vehicles were removed because of Audi’s legal action, so the reason for their disappearance remains unclear.

Auto China continues to list other Chinese vehicles, including models from Xiaomi, Jetour, Zeekr and Huawei. The site also offers limited configuration options for some vehicles, including the Maextro S800.

What the dispute means

Audi’s legal position reflects the tension created by developing market-specific EVs while maintaining strict control over where they are sold. The E5 Sportback and E7X are intended for Chinese customers, yet their arrival in Germany shows that some buyers are interested in vehicles unavailable through Audi’s official European channels.

For German customers, the dispute also highlights the difference between buying a vehicle that can be legally imported and buying one supported by the manufacturer’s normal dealer, parts and service network.