Audi Is Fighting to Keep Its Own China-Only EVs Out of GermanyAutoblogPablo SalapantanSat, September 19, 2026 at 7:58 PM UTCAdd us on GoogleAutoblog and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article.AUDI in ChinaYou're doubtless aware that different regions and markets have different automotive preferences. So if a region has a large enough customer base, an automaker is likely to create a model (or models) tailored to that market. Whatever that model is, it will likely only be available there and nowhere else.Audi is a German manufacturer, but it also has a strong presence in another major country: China. There, Audi sells itself differently than it does in its home country and has China-specific cars.AudiNo To China ModelsAutomobilwoche reports that people are apparently parallel importing Audi China products into Germany, and Audi isn't happy. Parallel importing is when a third-party group or individual brings in cars not officially through the brand or local distributor. In this case, the cars being brought in are the E5 Sportback and the E7X SUV. These 2 cars are products of a joint venture between Audi and SAIC, sold specifically in China under the AUDI brand, which uses this branding instead of the iconic four rings logo used elsewhere.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe importer in question is called Auto China, which has been importing, homologating, and selling the E5 Sportback and the E7X. Audi isn't taking this lightly and has already begun taking legal action. In a statement given to Automobilwoche, a brand representative said the brand has initiated legal proceedings against the importer and will rigorously enforce their rights. The report also says Auto China's official website has already removed the AUDI models, but refuses to confirm whether it was because of the legal pressure asserted by the parent company.Two Audi E5 Sportback in pastel violet and whiteOut Of PlaceHaving the E5 Sportback and the E7X show up in Germany creates problems for the Audi ecosystem because these cars are targeted and built for a completely different market segment. Not to mention, these "outsider" models could cannibalize sales. Furthermore, although the importer claims it can properly offer warranties for these cars, owners could still struggle to source specific parts that aren't available in Germany.AUDI E5 SportbackAUDIThis story was originally published by Autoblog on Sep 19, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Autoblog as a Preferred Source by clicking here.