The stock-outs of several electric cars signed Volkswagen benefit some scammers. Indeed, the manufacturer noticed at the end of 2022 that many of its vehicles are resold clandestinely on the European market, much cheaper than the original models. Problem: these are produced in China, and therefore do not comply with European regulations.
If you’ve recently tried to buy an electric car from Volkswagen, you’ve probably faced repeated stock shortages. The German manufacturer is indeed struggling to meet stronger demand than expected, especially since the supply problems are not yet fully resolved. But as the saying goes, the misfortune of some is the happiness of others.
In the second quarter of 2022, Volkswagen had the unpleasant surprise to discover that some of its Chinese models were found without authorization on the European market. “Unauthorized dealers are taking advantage of the high demand for Volkswagen models to offer these vehicles in other countries — without authorization from Volkswagen or the regulatory authorities of the countries concerned”explains the firm to the Automobilwoche media.
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Various models are affected, although Volkswagen notes a consequent representation of the ID. 4 among the models imported into Europe. Most often these come from China, and this for a simple reason: the production costs as well as the selling prices are much lower there than those in force on our side of the globe. This explains how resellers manage to lower prices on European soil.
The latter sometimes try to go directly through dealers, which prompted Volkswagen to warn them against the phenomenon – and against the consequences to which they risk in the event of acceptance on their part. Because indeed, the vehicles offered for sale are not homologated according to European regulations.
A spokesperson for the manufacturer explains that “hardware and software configurations cannot be homologated in the European area”citing in particular the e-call which does not meet the criteria imposed by the authorities, because Volkswagen offers Chinese equivalents to the applications installed in the cars. “Volkswagen’s objective is therefore to protect dealers as well as customers against the purchase of non-approved vehicles”underlines the company.
Source: Automobilwoche