Aller au contenu principal
About European sourcing & import

aboutPage.hero.title
aboutPage.hero.titleHighlight

aboutPage.hero.subtitle

Introduction - Automotive importing: from price arbitrage to a full profession

In 2025, European automotive importing is no longer just a price arbitrage lever. It has become a profession in its own right, at the crossroads of automotive wholesale, VO remarketing, fleet management, and tax and administrative compliance.

Whether it is recent used vehicles (VO), zero-kilometer units, executive cars, or long- and short-term fleet returns, the market is now:

  • Market

    Tighter

  • Data

    More transparent

  • Regulation

    More regulated

In this context, buying abroad no longer automatically means buying cheaper.

aboutPage.images.fleet.alt
1

Prices & markets

Price convergence in Europe: Germany, France, Spain, same challenge

1.1 The end of the "best price abroad" myth

For years, Germany, Spain, or the Benelux were seen as Eldorados for VO dealers and automotive brokers. Today, the reality is very different.

Vehicle prices:

  • Recent used vehicles
  • Zero-kilometer units
  • Fleet returns
  • Leasing or short-term rental vehicles

are broadly aligned across the major European markets, including France.

This convergence is driven by:

  • Pan-European remarketing platforms
  • European B2B auctions
  • Increased competition among VO dealers, wholesalers, and traders
  • Structural shortages of vehicles from the 2021–2022 fleets

👉 The raw price gap is no longer enough to justify an individual import.

2

Operations

Buying alone abroad: a false economic gain

A dealer, VO professional, or even an individual can sometimes spot a vehicle in Spain or Germany at an attractive price. But that purchase price is only part of the equation.

2.1 The hidden costs of importing alone

Importing alone means taking on:

Supplier sourcing
International transport
Administrative delays
Tax procedures
Documentary risks
Stock immobilization

In a VO market where turnover is key, lost time often costs more than the discount you hoped for.

3

Risks

Europa Service / Starcar: a stark reminder of the risks

Recent news in the European market highlighted a reality often underestimated: supplier risk is real.

The failure of a major rental player in Germany, central to European distribution and remarketing networks (Europa Service / Starcar), put many professional buyers in difficulty after sourcing vehicles without fully securing titles and payment flows.

👉 Without going into details, this episode reminded us of a simple rule in automotive wholesaling:
A vehicle can be physically available without being legally usable.

For VO dealers, traders, and dealerships, the risk is not theoretical: poor sourcing can turn inventory into a frozen asset.

Automotive import strategy
4

Performance

Pooled purchasing: where real margins are made today.

4.1 The power of volume in automotive wholesale

Today, performance is no longer about the country of purchase, but about:

  • Volume
  • Recurrence
  • Negotiation capacity

A player like Autonao, positioned as a wholesaler and European sourcing operator, does not buy a single vehicle but:

  • Homogeneous batches
  • Entire fleets
  • Series of identical vehicles (powertrain, trim, year)

Result:

  • Better purchase prices
  • Better logistics conditions
  • Better administrative security
5

Value

Autonao vs direct purchase: same vehicle, same price... without the constraints

In many cases, the conclusion is simple:
The client thinks they have found an opportunity in Germany or Spain, but Autonao can offer the same vehicle, at the same price level, already secured.

5.1 What the client tangibly avoids

By working with Autonao:

No transport management
No advance funds abroad
No complex tax procedures
No compliance risk
No operational time lost

👉 The client keeps the price but removes the risk.

6

Profession

Broker, wholesaler, remarketing: a new role in the VO market

The role of the automotive broker and VO wholesaler has evolved. It is no longer just about "finding a vehicle" but about:

  • Securing sourcing
  • Structuring the administrative flow
  • Pooling purchases
  • Smoothing remarketing

In a market where vehicles are increasingly similar, the difference is in stock access and process mastery.

Conclusion

Import less, buy better

In 2025, importing a vehicle alone from abroad is no longer a competitive advantage. Real performance relies on:

Volume Pooling Security Operational expertise

👉 Autonao fits this logic

enabling VO dealers, dealerships, fleet managers, and professional buyers to access the European market without bearing its risks.

"Value is no longer only in the savings at purchase, but in the legal, fiscal, and operational peace of mind across the chain."