I have done plenty of research and seen posts on expat forums that suggest this would be an exercise in futility (cost, certification timeline, loss of US warranty, resale perception), but I keep coming back to the potential net savings of attempting this if we plan to keep an ID.4 a long time. Does anyone here have any first-hand experience or knowledge around the homologation/certification modifications and process that would be required for a 2021 vehicle sold concurrently in the US and France?
Between VAT, exchange rate and the $7500 US EV tax credit, the initial savings would be significant. I'm just wondering how to definitively identify the list of changes that would be required to certify a US ID.4 for French roadworthiness. One example - I've seen a comment on another make around needing to swap out windows, even though they were identical, because the required EU markings weren't stamped on them. Obviously if there are enough of these arbitrary changes required throughout the vehicle, the net savings would erode. And if an extended/international warranty (if available) were too expensive or limited, that would weigh into the cost/benefit as well.
While the top-spec EU models have features that I want such as HUD and matrix lights, I could live without them. Ultimately, if this re-reg pursuit still proves to be futile, we'll just wait and pick up a demo or CPO ID.4 once we move over there next summer, and I'd console myself by knowing I got some extra features. Just wondering if anyone here has ventured down this path before.