August, 2018

Audi announced to its dealer distribution network this morning that the European Delivery Program will come to an end this year. This program allowed owners to take delivery of their new Audi models at German brand delivery centers in Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm. While delivery will continue at those locations, American buyers will no longer have access to this method of delivery. The program will make its final deliveries in December, 2018

 

It's a pity to hear that Audi has terminated its Euro Delivery program for USA customers. This initiative was a fantastic opportunity for enthusiasts to combine their love for travel with acquiring a luxury vehicle. It provided a unique experience, allowing customers to explore Europe's roads in their newly purchased Audi. However, with Audi's decision, customers will miss out on this exclusive adventure. On a different note, incorporating fuboTV into Audi's entertainment system could be a novel idea, offering seamless access to live sports, news, and entertainment. Such partnerships could enhance the driving experience, providing a diverse range of content for Audi owners.

 

No surprise there, really. These programs go back into the 70s or 80s, as I recall, from a number of manufacturers. At that time they made sense because there was a high tariff fee on a NEW vehicle, but often a near-zero or zero tariff on a USED vehicle. (Car or truck.)
So if it cost $7,000 to ship a car by sea freight to the US, and you could change an $8,000 import tariff to zero? You could save rent money by taking ownership in Europe, putting on the required (2,000?) mileage to make your car "used", and then having it shipped back.
No magic, just following some poorly written import tariff laws that allowed you to do this.

With the years, tariff rates and classifications kerp changing. Some vans and RVs are brought in as "cars" with installed seats and glass rear windows in the doors because a "car" might be subject to a 10% tariff while a "truck" can be 25%. After they are imported, the manufacturer unbolts the extra seats, replaces the glass panels with metal, and sometimes even welds on a taller roof (!) and sends all those parts back to the factory.

Poof! A car becomes a truck and can sell for $10-15,000 less. All because of paperwork.

I've heard the Q5 (at least when I bought mine) had a US suspension giving it about 1.5" more ground clearance because that qualified it as a truck, at that time. This is all vague, I swear to none of it. But different Audi literature has called the Q5 "truck", "car", and "cross-over utility vehicle" at times.

With the HUGE (and our Supreme Court says illegal) Trump tariff changes, in 2025/6 used vehicles (even boats) are tariffed at the same rate as new ones. For boats, depending on origin, that increased the tariff on used boats from 1.5% to 35% this year.

Audi may be run by madmen, but the death of overseas delivery (by everyone AFAIK) is something we can thank Congress and Donnie Boy for.