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."

amag.ch

The Flying Spur Hybrid drives as balanced and refined as you would expect in this price range.

The powertrain in the Flying Spur Hybrid was not simply taken over from the already available Bentayga Hybrid, as one might assume.

The 2.9-liter V6 turbocharged gasoline engine is a revised variant with twin turbochargers - together with the 100 kW electric motor, it now generates 544 hp, almost 100 hp more than the Bentayga. Whether customers can be dissuaded from their beloved eight- and twelve-cylinder engines remains to be seen.

Press spokesman Wayne Bruce: "I don't think that will be a problem. Especially in the luxury sector, we see that customers think very responsibly and place a lot of value on sustainability."

Purely electric 40 kilometer range
The V8 version is still a bit faster (and the W12 anyway), but with a sprint to 100 km/h in 4.3 seconds, the hybrid is also impressive. On the other hand, the PHEV consumes considerably less: Bentley talks about 3.5 liters, homologation is still pending. The V8 is on the books with 12.7 liters.

As with every PHEV, the actual consumption depends on the use: If the battery is charged often and the driving distances are short, the car can be driven without a combustion engine - at least 40 kilometers are said to be possible. The power for this is supplied by a 14.1 kWh battery, which can be fully charged in 2.5 hours in the best case.

56 billion configuration variants
In terms of comfort and driving pleasure, the hybrid is in no way inferior. It drives as well-balanced and refined as you would expect in this price range. And in electric mode it's almost silent - that's real luxury. Especially when you're being chauffeured, which is what half of the Flying Spur owners actually do.

Series Manager Chris Cole: "Customers of the hybrid variant will also want to drive this Grand Tourer themselves. This is without doubt the most advanced Bentley we've ever built."

Unfortunately, the new model is not quite cheap: You'll have to pay 220,000 francs - at least. With 56 billion configuration options, the base price will hardly ever be enough.

bentleymotors.com

The Ocean features 360-degree camera, radar, ultrasonic sensor systems and a camera-based driver display.

With the Ocean model, vehicle manufacturer Fisker is launching another electrically powered luxury SUV towards the end of the year. The focus here is to be on the driver assistance equipment Intelligent Pilot, which includes the sensor systems 360-degree camera, radar, ultrasonic sensor technology and a high-resolution camera-based driver display.

Ocean sees and feels even better
The upcoming Ocean model will celebrate the market premiere of the 4-D digitaradar, which also detects very flat objects on the road. Thanks to the latest-generation all-round camera system, the Ocean can detect vehicles up to a distance of 200 meters and pedestrians up to 80 meters.

In addition, these systems are said to be less sensitive to weather and glare. An interior camera also registers the onset of drowsiness on the part of the driver and warns accordingly.

Versions Sport, Extreme and One
The Fisker Ocean will be available in three versions: Sport, Extreme and One. The Intelligent Pilot safety package will be standard in all models. The manufacturer's asking price is $37,500 for the Ocean Sport and $69,000 for the other two models.

Prices and equipment for Switzerland are not yet known.

fiskerinc.com

The 62 vehicles in the Plus Four LM62 special series are delivered in Jet Green or Tertre Rouge paint finishes and always with a hardtop in Heritage White. And of course, both left- and right-hand drive are available.

The special models, which commemorate the legendary class victory at the 24-hour race in Le Mans in 1962, are technically based on the Plus Four model. The four-cylinder engine with 255 hp comes from BMW and can be combined with manual or automatic transmission.

Sport exhaust with black tailpipes
The standard equipment also includes the starting number 29 - as on the TOK 258 race car from 1962 - as well as the special spoked wheels and type badges. The sports exhaust with black tailpipes and other design details are also exclusive.

There is also a lot of special equipment in the interior: for example, the individual number plate, the door pulls made of black saddle leather and headrests with embroidery graphic elements.

Prices and equipment are available on request.

morgan-motor.com

The new Formula E World Championship safety vehicle, a Porsche Taycan Turbo S, also represents the eleven racing teams as well as the FIA and Formula E with its eye-catching livery. At the same time, the number 22 honors the performance of the 22 drivers competing this season.

Thomas Laudenbach, Head of Porsche Motorsport: "We are proud that Formula E is entrusting a Porsche with this important task for the safety of its pilots."

Jamie Reigle, CEO of Formula E, adds, "As the top-of-the-line high-performance electric vehicle, the Taycan will make a splash on Formula E street circuits around the world."

From 0 to 100 km/h in 2.8 seconds
With its drive power of up to 560 kW (761 hp), the new safety car has the best prerequisites for the important Formula E event. With Launch Control, it accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 2.8 seconds and achieves a top speed of 260 km/h.

With special equipment on the slopes
During the conversion of the Taycan Turbo S, roll bars and racing bucket seats with six-point harnesses were fitted, as well as wiring harnesses for the safety car lighting and the Marelli logger system.

Flashing lights have been integrated into the bumpers. In the interior, the Portuguese Formula E safety car driver Bruno Correia will also find a fire extinguisher and a high-tech communications system.

16 races in big cities
The races of the 2022 Formula E World Championship will be held in metropolises such as London, Berlin, Mexico City, New York, Monaco. Rome and Seoul. The season kicks off on January 28 and 29 with the first two World Championship rounds in Diriyah in Saudi Arabia.

With runner-up Edoardo Mortara (Venturi) and Sébastien Buemi (Nissan), two Swiss drivers are among the contenders.

porsche.ch
fiaformulae.com

Thanks to its all-wheel drive, the Formentor can easily handle gradients of up to 70 percent.

The Cupra Formentor VZ5 is capable of not only comfortably cruising through everyday traffic, but also accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.2 seconds and climbing grades of up to 70 percent.

To prove this, race driver Jordi Gené and Christoph Vierling, Head of Overall Vehicle Development at Seat's Technical Center, put it to the test.

Driving mode selection in infotainment
At the Motorland Aragón racetrack in Spain, the pair tested the versatility of the five driving modes, which promise maximum driving pleasure on any terrain. The driving mode can be set via the infotainment system. Preset configurations control the response, transmission, steering feel or suspension stiffness.

Christoph Vierling: "Each driving mode has its own character."

Jordi Gené: "In Comfort mode, the ride quality is very smooth, and in Sport mode you immediately feel that the response is even finer and the cornering is much more precise."

Exclusive equipment Drift
The drift mode is only available in the Formentor VZ5. However, it should only be used on closed-off tracks. In this driving mode, the electronic stability control is completely switched off. For race driver Jordi Gené, this is the closest thing to driving a race car.

The performance of the all-wheel drive was then tested on a dirt road.

Christoph Vierling: "This vehicle can handle gradients of up to 70 percent without any problems thanks to its all-wheel drive."

And the Formentor VZ5 keeps its grip even when driving over uneven terrain on just three wheels. It manages lateral inclination angles of up to 36 degrees.

cupraofficial.ch

A good 600 people attended the event of the Auto Gewerbe Verband Schweiz (AGVS) in the Kursaal in Bern, including Federal Councillor Simonetta Sommaruga as guest speaker. The head of the Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DETEC) emphasized the important role of Swiss garage owners.

Conditions for automated driving

Simonetta Sommaruga: "Without the daily commitment of the almost 40,000 mechanics, mechatronics engineers, mobility consultants and garage owners, the changeover to climate-friendly mobility would not be feasible. With the new CO2 law, the Federal Council also wants to promote charging stations for e-vehicles. And it will do so where they are still lacking - for example, in residential buildings and at the workplace."

And the Federal Councillor revealed to the 600 industry representatives that Switzerland is setting the framework conditions for automated driving through the partial revision of the Road Traffic Act.

Simonetta Sommaruga: "We want to make it possible in Switzerland as one of the first countries worldwide."

Continuous CO2 reduction in transport

Thomas Hurter, Central President of the Garagistenverband AGVS: "The visit of Federal Councillor Simonetta Sommaruga underlines that she takes our industry and our concerns seriously and is just as interested in a dialogue as we are. The automotive industry supports the goal of continuous CO2 reduction in road traffic. 100 million passenger kilometers are driven by private passenger transport in a normal year. This means that private motorized transport accounts for 80 percent of the passenger kilometers performed, compared to 20 percent by rail."

The garage owner as entrepreneur in focus

In view of these figures and the growth in electromobility and other alternative drive options, the garage owner is becoming a mobility consultant. The garage owner as entrepreneur was therefore the focus of the Swiss automotive industry conference.

Walter Frey, owner of the Emil Frey Group and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Emil Frey Holding AG: "Making decisions and keeping the passion, that's important to be successful and why it pays to go your own way."

Conclusion of the symposium: The automotive industry has a future full of entrepreneurial opportunities, because the importance of motorized individual transport will continue to grow in the future.

Thomas Hurter: "The fascination for the car and its undeniably high benefits that individual mobility brings are not diminishing."

agvs-upsa.ch

The elegant appearance of the Edition models is characterized by many details in silky Platinum.

The Platinum Edition is available as a Cayenne, Cayenne E-Hybrid, and Cayenne S as well as in the corresponding Coupé variants. The elegant appearance of the Edition models is characterized by many details in silky Platinum.

The inlays in the louvers of the front air intakes, the Porsche lettering integrated in the taillight strip, the model designation at the rear, and the exclusive 21-inch RS Spyder design wheels are painted accordingly. Sport tailpipes and windshield trim in black underscore the sporty, elegant look.

Exclusive Platinum and Aluminum
In the interior, seat belts in chalk and door sill panels in brushed aluminum with the Platinum Edition lettering create a special impression. This is complemented by the Aluminum Rhombus package and surrounding silver-colored accent trim.

In addition, the Platinum Edition comes with extended equipment ex works. For example, the LED main headlights, panoramic roof system, privacy glass, surround sound system from Bose, ambient lighting, eight-way leather sports seats, Porsche Crest on the headrests, and analog clock are all on board as standard. Many other refinement options for the interior and exterior are also available from the Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur.

All models with Porsche Swiss Package
The Platinum Edition of the Cayenne can be ordered now. Deliveries in Switzerland will start in May, with prices starting at 109,500 Swiss francs (Cayenne), 126,100 Swiss francs (E-Hybrid) and 130,100 Swiss francs (S).

Swiss customers benefit from a warranty extension and the contents of the rich Swiss Package.

porsche.ch

Mobility wants to convert all 3,000 cars to electric drive by 2030. One major hurdle is the installation of charging infrastructure. In Raiffeisen, the car-sharing provider has now found an important partner on its way to CO2-neutral mobility. All Raiffeisen banks can now place Mobility electric cars at their branches.

Mobility CEO Roland Lötscher: "Not only can we rapidly expand our electric location network, but we can also make car sharing palatable to a large number of people."

Premiere at Raiffeisenbank Freiburg East
Whether they want to benefit from the Mobility electric service is up to the individual Raiffeisen banks. To station the e-vehicles, the respective branch only has to provide the parking spaces and contribute to the annual operating costs.

Several banks have already expressed interest, including Raiffeisenbank Freiburg Ost, which will offer the first e-vehicle from the end of January.

mobility.ch

Bitterly, delays in vehicle deliveries caused by the global semiconductor crisis meant that Volkswagen 2021 in Switzerland was unable to deliver around 5,000 vehicles ordered by the end of the year.

Just under 20 percent all-electric models
The Tiguan is the most popular model of the Volkswagen brand. The all-electric ID.3 ranks second among all-electric cars in Switzerland with 2423 vehicles sold. Demand for electrically powered models has continued to grow strongly.

Compared with 2020, the proportion of hybrid and purely electric vehicles at the Volkswagen brand has increased threefold to 23.4 percent of the total volume - 19.7 percent of which are BEV models. BEV stands for Battery Electric Vehicle, i.e. a purely electric drive.

Volkswagen's e-offensive is now really picking up speed. In addition to the ID.3, ID.4 and ID.4 GTX e-models, which are already available today, the ID.5 and ID.5 GTX e-SUV coupés, the latter with all-wheel drive, will follow in May.

Electromobility continues to be a focus

Claude Gregorini, Brand Director of the Volkswagen brand: "In 2022, we will continue to focus on electromobility. We expect a 30 percent share of hybrid and pure electric vehicles of the Volkswagen brand in Switzerland in 2022."

volkswagen.ch