Audi wants to stop imports into Europe of cars of its AUDI brand – dedicated to the Chinese market that already has two models in its range developed only for that country.
© Qilai Shen/Bloomberg via Getty Images
18/09/2026
by
News to Minutes
Nlast year, the AUDI E5 Sportback – the first model of the exclusive brand for China. And despite being part of Audi, the manufacturer of Ingolstadt wants to stop imports to Europe.
All because this is a parallel market, through an unofficial importer online. According to the publication Automobilewoche, cited by Motor1. with, an Audi spokesman confirmed that they were opened legal proceedings against this importer – which is known to facilitate the introduction into Europe of Chinese models not available on the Old Continent.
An understandable measure: with the parallel arrival of the AUDI E5 Sportback and E7X fully electric, audi may be affected by sales of its electric models for Europe – seeing chinese cars introduced into the market unofficially by third parties.
A survey of the company’s website showed that these vehicles are no longer available – unlike what happened about a month ago.
A China-only business
AUDI, stylized with its full name in capital letters and without the logo of the four rings, is jointly owned by Audi and SAIC Motor, having its own and independent operations in China – with a range unique to that Asian country.
The electric luxury van E5 Sportback started the offensive in 2025, while this year the SUV E7X arrived – which can be both electric and electric with autonomy extender.
As we told you about a month ago, they were available for parallel imports with E5 Sportback since the EUR 68,730 and E7X from the EUR 75,350 in the five-seat version.