Garage owners: 2018 was a solid year
WELL DONE Swiss garage dealers can look back on a solid year in 2018. Brand dealers were able to compensate for the decline in the new car business in the garage sector and in the used car business. These are the findings of the latest "Branchenspiegel des Schweizer Autogewerbes", published by FIGAS Autogewerbe-Treuhand der Schweiz AG in collaboration with the Auto Gewerbe Verband Schweiz [...]
These are the findings of the latest "Branchenspiegel des Schweizer Autogewerbes", published by FIGAS Autogewerbe-Treuhand der Schweiz AG in collaboration with the Auto Gewerbe Verband Schweiz (AGVS). In particular, the cash flow of Swiss brand dealers remains at an unsatisfactory level of two percent, making it difficult for Swiss brand dealers to meet the increasing investments demanded by manufacturers and importers.
Delivery delays for new cars
At 299,716 registrations, the new vehicle business was 4.6% down on the previous year. This significant decline is primarily due to delivery delays caused by the slow introduction of fuel consumption figures in accordance with the new WLTP procedure. This led to higher prices in some cases and a higher margin in the used car business.
Strong situation in Swiss competition
AGVS Central President Urs Wernli: "The FIGAS key figures show that the car trade can look back on a satisfactory car year overall, despite the highly competitive situation, the ever-increasing standards and the unabated major challenges." In addition to the used car business, this rather positive conclusion by the Swiss Garage Association is primarily due to the areas of workshop work, spare parts, oil and tires, where the brand dealers surveyed were able to slightly improve their contribution margins. In 2018, this area covered almost two thirds of operating costs.
