Auto trade: "Let's get back to work!"
IT'S GETTING THERE The Swiss car industry is still waiting for binding commitments as to when businesses will be allowed to reopen their showrooms and sales areas. Regular car sales are currently not possible. Urs Wernli, Central President of the Swiss Garage Association AGVS, is calling for the showrooms to be reopened. A concept for hygiene and safety has been in place for two weeks. Experience in Germany shows that [...]
Urs Wernli, Central President of the Swiss Garage Owners' Association AGVS, calls for showrooms to be opened. A concept for hygiene and safety has been in place for two weeks. Experience in Germany shows that this works without any problems.
Urs Wernli: "Nothing less than the survival of 15,000 companies with 84,000 employees is at stake. For the AGVS and its member companies, the uncertainty is pure poison. All that is known so far is that the sales areas will have to remain closed until at least May 11. Whether cars can be physically sold again from then on is still unclear."
Slumps of up to 80 percent
The car trade effectively came to a standstill with the lockdown of the Swiss economy on March 16. In April alone, this vital business for Swiss garages slumped by 75 to 80 percent. This is also having a negative impact on the garage business.
Figas, a fiduciary company specializing in the automotive industry, has calculated on the basis of an average company that in the current situation the entire annual profit needed for investments will be lost in two to three months.
Work is currently permitted in garages. Car washes will open on April 27.
Request to the Federal Council
As a systemically important sector, the Swiss automotive industry has continued to operate its garages for cars and commercial vehicles even after the lockdown. This has proven that the necessary safety and hygiene measures are being adhered to.
Urs Wernli: "In this way, Swiss garage owners and their employees helped to ensure safety on our roads and maintain the supply of vital goods. We are calling on the Federal Council: let's get back to work, let's open our sales areas, don't leave us hanging now."
Good experiences across the border
In Germany, the showrooms of car dealerships are open again.
Thomas Peckruhn, Vice President of the Central Association of the German Motor Trade: "Our members have consistently had very good experiences. Employees and customers show great discipline and know how to behave."
Many car dealerships in Germany have brought back a large proportion of their employees from short-time working thanks to the rapid opening.
Thoams Peckruhn: "We can also relieve the burden on the state. I see no reason why we shouldn't reopen showrooms and exhibition spaces in Switzerland too."
