Audi is taking legal action against the import of Chinese models.

Image: Audi

Audi is taking legal action against importer Auto China, according to Automobilwoche. The German automaker aims to stop the parallel import of AUDI models built solely for the Chinese market. “We have initiated legal proceedings against the importer and will firmly enforce our rights,” a company spokesperson told the industry portal. The Ingolstadt-based firm did not provide further details.

The dealer Auto China has already removed the relevant vehicle models from its website, per the report. It is unclear whether this action is directly linked to the legal measures, as the company declined to comment when asked.

To date, through the importer, electric vehicles such as the AUDI E5 Sportback and AUDI E7X from other Chinese manufacturers have also been offered in Germany. According to Automobilwoche, the first vehicles of this type have already been spotted in German cities.

Audi developed these models in collaboration with manufacturer SAIC, tailoring them specifically to the needs of the Chinese market. Due to this focus, these vehicles from the China-exclusive subbrand, which feature the word “AUDI” instead of four rings, do not have EU type approval. According to the premium brand, Audi AG does not officially export these models to countries outside China.

Audi also warns, according to Automobilwoche, of risks for customers regarding service and spare parts supply: “AUDI AG and authorized Audi dealers outside China cannot carry out maintenance work, as AUDI models in countries outside China are considered foreign-made vehicles.”

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Thomas Langenbucher is an expert in electromobility with experience in the automotive industry and finance sector. Since 2011, he has been covering electric vehicles, sustainable technologies, and mobility solutions on ecomento.de. Learn more.

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