Market: Less growth in September
WEAKENING After six months of double-digit growth, the upward trend on the Swiss car market slowed in September. The 21,578 cars represent an increase of three percent compared to the same month last year.
In September, the market grew at a slower rate than in previous months.
After three quarters of 2023, there are now 182,906 registered new cars on the books, and the difference compared with 2019 is now 43,000 vehicles. Despite the still significant market growth compared to the weak previous year, the now fourth calendar year in a row with significantly reduced market volume in the new car business is not leaving the Swiss auto industry unscathed. Although many official brand dealers are able to partially compensate for the lack of sales in their workshop operations, the entire industry is clearly feeling the effects of the decline in deliveries.
Waiver of Swiss Finish
The Council of States discussed the future emissions regulations for new vehicles last week during its deliberations on the CO2-law after 2024. After the Energy Commission of the Small Chamber had proposed a more restrictive Swiss regulation for new passenger cars from 2030 than the EU, Auto-Schweiz is satisfied with the decisions now taken.
For example, the target for new passenger cars would then be 45 percent of the 2021 target - in line with the EU. The Commission had proposed 25 percent.
Auto-Schweiz President Peter Grünenfelder: "The Council of States has clearly rejected the cost-increasing Swiss Finish, which would be at the expense of consumers, and wants to stay with the EU's lowering path, as proposed by the Federal Council. A separate Swiss regulation definitely makes no sense here, because Swiss importers use the same models of car manufacturers as the rest of Europe."
Slower growth
The growth curve for plug-in vehicles has already flattened out in the current year. After nine months, purely electric passenger cars and plug-in hybrids have been able to slightly expand their market shares, but growth rates have weakened significantly compared to previous years.
Peter Grünenfelder: "Consistent and compliant action by policymakers is needed to strengthen demand for alternative powertrains and make synthetic fuels price competitive."
