Amag: This is the Group's 2021 balance sheet
SUCCESS With its Volkswagen, Audi, Škoda, Seat, Cupra and VW Commercial Vehicles brands, the Amag Group increased its market share in a weak overall market and was able to take over the leading position in all-electric vehicles.
In the coming years, the Amag Group will invest in sustainability and digitalization and expand its range of products and services related to electromobility. The focus is on customer convenience.
A year ago, hopes were justified that 2021 would see a noticeable recovery compared with the previous year. But today it is clear that this was not the case. The Corona virus has continued to preoccupy the world over the past twelve months, and the associated effects have left their mark on global trade.
Volkswagen remains number 1
The chip crisis has affected entire sectors of the economy, including global automotive production. With 238,481 newly registered passenger cars, the Swiss car market barely grew compared with 2020 (236,827 units) and remains well below a normal car year for Switzerland with around 300,000 units.
Amag's brands were also affected by the global situation. Nevertheless, they were able to make further slight gains in Switzerland and achieved a market share of 31.2 percent.
The Audi, Seat and Cupra brands made significant gains in the favor of Mrs. and Mr. Swiss, Škoda has the "favorite car in Switzerland" (gallery on the right) in its range with the Enyaq, and Volkswagen remains number 1 in the market. Almost 10,000 purely electric vehicles from the Amag brands could be registered in 2021, a threefold increase compared to 2020 and also the top position here for the Volkswagen Group brands.
Group strength and good cooperation
Helmut Ruhl, CEO Amag Group AG: "I had the privilege of taking over the management of Amag in a challenging time and I am correspondingly proud that we worked very well as a Group in 2021. Challenging times show the strength of the Group and the good cooperation with the sales and service partners. The workshops were well utilized in 2021 and the entire dealership organization also succeeded in increasing the market share of our brands. A thank you to our customers for understanding that the pandemic also had an impact on the delivery dates of our vehicles in some cases."
New customer experiences are also available at Porsche
Amag First AG has opened the first Porsche Studio in Switzerland for the Porsche brand at the Riesbach location following a major conversion. A completely new store concept that is not only a salesroom but also a meeting zone for Porsche fans.
In addition, Amag First also operated a Porsche e-pop-up store in Zurich in the second half of the year. And the Schlieren location has been an exclusive Porsche Center since January 1, 2022.
Amag Services AG back to pre-Corona level
2021 was also a bad year for the travel industry, with uncertainties and ever-changing entry regulations keeping many people from traveling. The rental car industry worldwide also noticed this.
Amag Services AG with Europcar was not spared either. However, Europcar in Switzerland, which now includes the Cupra Born (gallery on the left), made significant gains in the second half of the year and local business is back at pre-Corona levels.
Going on vacation with a combustion engine
Amag Services AG is launching a new offer for people interested in electric cars in 2022. Anyone who rents an electric car from Europcar on a long-term basis will receive the right to drive a combustion engine for three days per rental month, which can be used cumulatively for the summer vacations, for example.
Helmut Ruhl: "With the new rental offer, we have an optimal solution for all customers who still express concerns that it is not possible with only the e-car. Our claim is fundamentally to find solutions for customer needs."
BEV subscription including electricity starts in February 2022
For electromobility to be successful, it must be as convenient and simple as the familiar offering. That is why the Amag Group continues to develop its offerings.
Clyde was launched as a subscription offer in 2019 and has developed encouragingly since then. In 2021 alone, vehicle volume increased by 150 percent. Now Clyde is entering a new phase. In 2022, the transformation to an all-electric mobility ecosystem will begin (center gallery).
In addition to the familiar benefits of the Clyde offer, such as different terms, various mileage packages and inclusive services such as insurance, taxes, service, tires or delivery of the vehicle within ten days - including home delivery - the brand portfolio will be expanded to include other brands.
In addition, the e-car subscription now also includes a charging flat rate. The charging card allows unlimited charging in Switzerland and throughout Europe at no additional cost.
Transparency for used cars through digitalization
The new digital service Aquacar (www.aquacar.ch) has been live since October and has continued to evolve. Using a new machine-learning driven algorithm, Aquacar is the first digital product in Switzerland to offer a free estimate without asking for personal user data. Aquacar focuses on
Helmut Ruhl: "With the new subscription models from Clyde and Europcar, we are making it easier to get started with electromobility, and with Aquacar, we are making it easier to switch to electromobility: here, Mr. and Mrs. Swiss can simply sell their current combustion car!"
Sustainability remains a strategic focus
Helmut Ruhl: "The Amag Group is a young company. We have only existed in this form since 2018. We are focused on mobility and in transition. And we have a responsibility. That is why we have placed a further strategic focus on sustainability and, in addition to our own reduction measures, are investing accordingly in measures that serve to lower CO2 emissions. With its offering and its actions, the Amag Group wants to be part of the solution for sustainable individual mobility."
