While stationed in Germany, I bought a BMW made in Germany. (as opposed to SC) The car was not only cheaper than what I would have paid in the US, but MUCH cheaper than the cost in Germany! The VAT drove the price through the roof!
Tax-hungry bureaucrats can't just sit back and allow people to get a good deal....that would be terribly unfair....to them ;-)
In 1962 as a member of the USAF in Europe I bought a VW 1200 (Beetle) and paid $1120.00. The price at that time in America was $1595.00 so I saved $475. Doesn’t seem like much until you realize it amounted to a 30% savings.