Swiss roads are full of vehicles financed on credit. Only 45 percent of car owners state that they paid for their vehicle themselves. Low monthly maintenance costs and flexible vehicle availability are the most important things for Swiss people when it comes to cars. A good half of those surveyed do not care whether their vehicle is new or not.

Comparis mobility expert Sandro Spaeth: "For parts of the population, the car has obviously lost its role as a status object."

Regional differences
The representative Comparis survey also shows that cars in German-speaking Switzerland are significantly more frequently financed from own funds (51 percent) than in French-speaking Switzerland (34 percent) and Ticino (21 percent).

Sandro Spaeth: "This is in line with the general level of debt in the language regions. In Latin Switzerland, in addition to leasing, installment payments, credit, loans from family and friends and overdrafts are also common."

Leasing is very popular
The most popular form of financing with borrowed money is leasing at 31%. In 2022, around 214,800 new leasing contracts for passenger vehicles were concluded in Switzerland. According to the Comparis survey, leasing is also more common in the middle and higher income brackets than among lower household incomes.

Just under 16% of respondents obtained their vehicle via a loan or credit from family or friends. This shows that 18 to 35-year-olds, with a share of 13 percent, are more likely to ask for money from family than older car owners.

Subscription for a limited time
The car subscriptions launched around five years ago only have a small market share of around three percent. The reason: a car subscription is often only suitable for a limited period of time. Otherwise, this flexible solution quickly becomes more expensive than leasing or a cash purchase. Conclusion: In principle, any external financing is more expensive than a cash purchase.

comparis.ch

The new partnership between the three Korean brands will enable customers to operate household appliances using touch and voice commands via their vehicles' infotainment systems. Conversely, they will be able to remotely control various vehicle functions via AI speakers, televisions and smartphone apps. To this end, Hyundai and Kia's connected car services will be linked to Samsung's Smart Things platform for the internet.

Home and Away mode
For example, the user can activate Home Mode from the car on the way home from work and switch on the air conditioning, start the robot vacuum or switch on the lights. Conversely, they can activate Away Mode before leaving the house and switch off the lights or start the robot vacuum cleaner and pre-temper the vehicle by remote control.

Home Energy Management
In addition to touchscreen and voice commands, location-based automatic operation is offered to provide customers with a more convenient service. Furthermore, owners of electric vehicles can use the home energy management service integrated into Smart Things to check the energy consumption of their home and vehicle and set the best charging times. The service will also be made available for existing vehicles via over-the-air and USB-based updates.

hyundai.ch

kia.ch

Since January 1, 2024, Amag subsidiary Clyde's range has been exclusively electric. Thanks to the close collaboration with Helion and the partnerships with Solarify and Meyer Burger in the field of photovoltaics, Clyde is a one-stop shop - with high added value in Switzerland. The aim is to make the switch to electromobility easier for as many people and companies as possible.

E-cars and soon also e-bikes

With the Energy Benefit, Clyde already offers electricity free of charge as part of a subscription. Anyone who charges their car privately or drives particularly economically also receives a credit. And owners of their own solar system benefit twice over, as they receive almost twice the tariff they would normally receive for their solar power when charging an electric car from Clyde. In addition to electric cars, Clyde already offers the Swiss Microlino in the L7e segment and will soon be adding e-bikes to its range.

Clyde CEO Fabrizio Tollin: "We are deliberately cutting back on the traditional car subscription market. Instead, we are increasingly focusing on our e-fleet and the Energy Benefit and ensuring that all electricity costs for charging are included. At private charging stations and for self-generated solar power, our customers receive additional remuneration".

Entry into electromobility

The Amag Group is focusing on a Swiss ecosystem with decentrally produced electricity and electric vehicles. Clyde and Helion's current offering is intended to make it easier for customers to get started with electromobility and jointly drive forward the energy transition.

Martin Everts, Managing Director of the new business segment of Amag Energy & Mobility AG: "With the Clyde Energy Benefit, we are reducing the risk with regard to the future development of electricity prices. In addition, we are also promoting local energy production with photovoltaics by significantly increasing the profitability of the systems with a high return tariff.

clyde.ch

Before production of the downsized Bentley Blower starts in 2024, six vehicles will undergo extensive tests in which they have to prove their durability and driving experience. These are part of the program to obtain EU type approval L7e for road approval. The Little Car Company's first exclusive sales partner worldwide is Schmohl Exclusive Cars AG in Zurich.

High demands on quality
The little Bentley Blower was developed in close collaboration between The Little Car Company and Bentley's Heritage Collection. It was inspired by Team Car No. 2, probably the most famous and most valuable Bentley in the world. The Junior model is handcrafted to particularly high quality standards and is characterized by many beautiful details inspired by the original Blower.

The Little Car Company is now carrying out a durability test over a distance of more than 8000 kilometers on three continents to prove the high technical quality and functionality of the design. The mission got off to a festive start in keeping with the season. One of the test cars was sent to snow-covered Switzerland to pick up a Christmas tree. The route shown in the film and pictures led from Schänis via Lantsch, where the Christmas tree was loaded, over the Maloja Pass to St. Moritz.

Authentic replica of the blower
The Bentley Blower Junior consists of 700 parts and is made entirely by hand from authentic materials. The rear section of the two-part body is made of high-quality carbon fiber. The hood with its numerous air vents is traditionally handcrafted from aluminum and fastened with classic leather buckles. The Blower Junior, a true-to-scale replica of the 1929 Bentley and scaled down by a factor of 0.85, has a 48 V electric drive with a 15 kW (20 hp) motor. It has a top speed of 72 km/h and an estimated range of around 100 kilometers.

schmohl-exclusive-cars.ch

Today, Mercedes-Benz vehicles can be many things: an individual wellness area, a mobile office, a private movie theater or a place of personal safety. The continuation of the "Defining Class since 1886" campaign focuses on the further development of individual mobility from Mercedes-Benz. With a pioneering spirit and the demand for the extraordinary, the brand continues to set standards today - with sophisticated technology, characteristic design and a great deal of comfort.

Continuation with star cast
The main campaign film visualizes the innovative power of the brand. The Energizing Comfort programmes offer a comprehensive wellness package. Numerous connectivity, information and entertainment functions transform the vehicles into a mobile office or a private movie theater as required. Safety and assistance systems ensure a safe and comfortable driving experience.

The audience follows the protagonists on a journey into the history of the automobile and its technical development. British actor Matthew Macfadyen and brand ambassador Roger Federer act in the style of secret agents, accompanied by Mercedes-Benz electric vehicles. While Macfadyen moves seemingly effortlessly from place to place, Federer pulls the strings in the background.

New chapter with 360-degree campaign
The "Defining Class since 1886" campaign was launched at the IAA 2023 and continues with this new chapter in a 360-degree brand campaign (see video). It will be played out via mercedes-benz.com and Mercedes' social media channels. It was launched in China and other markets in mid-November 2023.

The idea, concept and realization come from team x, Anorak Film GmbH is responsible for production, bEpic GmbH for post-production, and the music comes from Gustav Karlstrom.

mercedes-benz.ch

The developers achieved the outstanding aerodynamic qualities of the concept car (center gallery) by taking nature as a model. The body shape was created with the help of bionic design guidelines inspired by a tuna.

Based on the special folding of the dorsal fin, the Chery developers designed special air guiding elements, among other things. Various AI-based simulation techniques were used to carry out more than 2,000 optimization steps, which ultimately led to the outstanding result in a series of wind tunnel tests.

Sales records and export champion
The holding company of the Chery automotive group has announced new sales records for 2023. The Wuhu-based manufacturer, which is behind the Omoda (gallery on the right) and Jaecoo (gallery on the left) models soon to be launched in Switzerland, sold more than 1.88 million vehicles worldwide last year. With an export quota of more than 50 percent, Chery 2023 remains China's undisputed champion.

cheryinternational.com

Driving a Ferrari for a year and earning 200,000 euros at the same time? Is that not possible? But it is: anyone who bought an F 512 M a year ago can now enjoy this increase in value. According to Classic Analytics, the model from the 1990s is now worth twice as much. But it's not just racehorses from Italy that promise to increase in value, but also workhorses from England or faithful companions from Rüsselsheim. So why not get in, because it's not too late.

Potential winners at a glance
BMW 325i Baur. While full convertibles were more popular in the 1990s, collectors have now discovered the rare safety convertibles from Baur for themselves, as fewer than 400 were built. Today, you have to pay 18,000 euros for a well-maintained example - more than three times as much as twelve months ago.

Honda Civic CRW 1.6i - 16. The sports coupé from Japan, built in 1986/87, is a technical treat. The 16-valve engine delivered 125 hp, the electric sunroof came as standard, and the chassis was firm and sporty. Due to the high cost of spare parts, these little speedsters were often neglected over the years. Today, a good CRX costs 13,000 euros, compared to 4200 euros a year ago.

Ford Escort RS Cosworth. Built in 2500 units from 1992 to 1995, this Escort is a genuine rally car. The motorsport manufacturer Cosworth not only gave it a large rear wing, but also four-wheel drive and 227 turbo horsepower. The Michael Schuhmacher special model is particularly popular. According to Classic Analytics, a well-maintained RS Cosworth is no longer available for less than 50,000 euros, compared to 18,000 euros a year ago.

Opel Corsa A 1.6 GSi. The popular small car became a hit with its fuel-injected engine and 100 hp. The purchase price is still within reasonable limits; according to Classic Analytics, well-maintained examples cost 8,500 euros. But prices are rising; a year ago they were only 3600 euros.

Land Rover Defender 110 Tdi. Between 1948 and 2016, two million examples of the Lad Rover classic rolled off the production line. The forefather of off-road vehicles has always been considered cool in collectors' circles. Prices have developed accordingly. A year ago, a well-maintained example with a diesel engine was available for 12,000 euros; now it is 28,000 euros.

Ferrari F 512 M. After the Ferrari hype of the early 2010s, prices have fallen sharply. Now they are rising again, as the F 512 M shows. Classic Analytics now sees the flat twelve-cylinder from 1995/96 at more than 400,000 euros. At the beginning of 2023, it was still available for 195,000 euros.

Porsche 911 Turbo 3.6. The Porsche Turbo of the 964 model series has not quite taken off like this. The price excesses of the zero-interest era were followed by disillusionment. Now prices are rising again, as they are for this last air-cooled Turbo model with 360 hp. According to Classic Analytics, the 964 Turbo costs 253,000 euros in a well-maintained condition, 52,000 euros more than a year ago.

Aston Martin Virage. Only 877 of this Aston Martin from 1989 to 1996 were built, as it was not really accepted by many Aston Martin fans. But now collectors are rediscovering this outsider. In the past year, the price has risen from 72,000 to 89,000 euros, and the trend is still rising.

Lamborghini LM 002. The unusual design and the powerful twelve-cylinder engine from the Countach make this Lamborghini an exotic off-roader. Only 301 of the 2.7-ton vehicle were sold. However, Lambo fans have had their sights set on the LM 002 for some time and now pay more than 300,000 euros for a well-kept example, 15 percent more than a year ago.

Peugeot 205 Turbo 16. The rally Peugeot built in 1984/85 only has the type number and the look in common with the French small car. Under the bodywork is a Group B racing car with a mid-engine and 346 hp. To be able to compete in Group B, 200 cars had to be built. According to Classic Analytics, such a model currently costs 192,000 euros, ten percent more than twelve months ago.

Source: Car-Medienportal.net

classic-analytics.com

The electric drive has now spread across all segments. However, one still important body shape has been forgotten: the estate car. So far, only the Chinese MG5 is available in this segment, but only via direct import here, and the Porsche Taycan Sport Turismo with its shooting-brake rear end can also be counted as an estate car - but with a starting price of 105,200 francs, it is only affordable for a few.

Fair price for an e-combi
But now there is movement in the game. The Stellantis Group with its 14 car brands, including Peugeot, Citroën, Opel, Fiat and DS, has long announced two electric estate cars, the Peugeot E-308 SW and the technically identical Opel Astra Electric Sports Tourer, and now they are finally being launched on the market. The Peugeot was now ready for its first test drive - it will be rolling into Swiss dealerships from March and costs from 44,250 francs, which is a fair price for a 4.63-meter-long electric estate.

Range over 400 kilometers
The technical basis is the familiar Stellantis electric platform, which is already used in various models of several Group brands. A completely new, more powerful electric motor is now used in the E-308 and also in the Astra. The front wheels are now driven by 115 kW (156 hp) and 260 Nm of torque - making the Peugeot E-308 suitably motorized, although it is not particularly lively. A battery capacity of 51 kWh enables a WLTP range of 409 kilometers, charging with a maximum of 100 kW at the fast charging station or 11 kW at home on the wallbox. Here, too, the French compact car is only mediocre compared to the competition.

Seating comfort and space
On the other hand, the E-308 scores in other areas. As an SW variant with an estate rear, it offers an easily accessible load compartment with a volume of 608 liters, which increases to a generous 1634 liters with the rear seats folded down. Seating comfort and space are very good in all seats. The electric estate is also very pleasant to drive: thanks to its comparatively low weight of around 1.8 tons, it is agile and light-footed, sits firmly on the road and still rolls smoothly. This makes the Peugeot E-308 SW a sensible, comfortable and practical electric car that will not only be well received by families, but also by fleet managers.

E-208 comes with more power
And for those who prefer it a size smaller, the French have a treat on offer in the form of the E-208, which has now been visually and technically revised. It has the same drive system as the E-308, increasing the power output from the previous 100 kW (136 hp) to 115 kW (156 hp). The battery size, charging capacity and range are also the same, but with a starting price of CHF 31,050, the little one is naturally cheaper than its big brother.

peugeot.ch

In the UK, a program has been launched to demonstrate emission-free transport solutions for long-distance transport using battery-powered trucks. The program is scheduled to run for five years and is funded by the British government. It is supported by the Inovate UK initiative, which is not part of any government department. The aim is to support both the introduction of fully electric long-distance transport and the establishment of a public charging infrastructure for trucks.

Range of up to 500 kilometers
Dutch truck manufacturer DAF is also participating in the project with tractor units from the XD Electric and XF Electric series, which are used by major operators. Among others, fleets from Maritime Transport, Marks & Spencer, Menzies, Royal Mail and Eddie Stobart are involved in the program. The trucks have a range of up to 500 kilometers and a permissible total weight of 42 tons.

The program follows the completion of the recent field trial of battery-powered distribution trucks. This involved 20 DAF LF Electric trucks being used for urban goods transportation by public bodies, including the National Health Service (NHS) and local authorities, in England.
Source: Car-Medienportal.net

daf.ch

With 252,214 new registrations, a significant increase was recorded compared to the previous year, but the 2023 car year still remained well below the long-term pre-pandemic level of around 300,000 registrations. Although the supply difficulties that prevailed in 2022 due to microchip and parts shortages were largely overcome last year, the subdued demand resulted in a below-average year in 2023.

Auto Schweiz media spokesman Christoph Wolnik: "Private customers in particular have been very reluctant to buy cars in the last twelve months. Nevertheless, we expect the market to continue to grow in the new year."

More than 30 percent plug-in vehicles
A new market share record of 30.1% was achieved for electrically rechargeable plug-in vehicles. With a market share of 20.9%, more than one in five new passenger cars on the road in 2023 is fully electric. However, the increase in market share in 2023 was only 3.1 percentage points, compared to 4.5 percentage points in 2022. Hybrid vehicles account for 27.3% of new registrations, petrol engines for 33.3% and diesel engines for 9.3%.

2024 will be a challenging year
The declared aim of car importers is to further increase the market share of plug-in vehicles. This is the only way to reduce CO₂-target values are achieved without sanctions and future requirements in the Climate Protection Act are met.

Auto Schweiz President Peter Grünenfelder: "But 2024 will be a challenging year for electromobility in Switzerland - because politicians have massively worsened the framework conditions for e-vehicles. On January 1, not only was the exemption for electric cars from the four percent automobile tax abolished, but electricity prices also rose by an average of 18 percent. The purchase and operation of electric vehicles will therefore become significantly more expensive for consumers in the new year. Everyone is called upon to push ahead with the expansion of the charging infrastructure and improve the framework conditions."

car.swiss