New passenger car registrations in Switzerland and Liechtenstein reached 16,047 in August, a 0.6% decline from the same month last year, according to Auto Schweiz, the country’s import association. The August figure follows a year-to-date total of 151,445 units through August, up 1.8% from the prior-year period.
The industry’s outlook remains constrained, with the association describing the market as 'traditionally weak' in August and noting that Switzerland continues to lag behind broader European trends. Auto Schweiz reiterated calls for deregulation and greater flexibility in CO2 compliance rules to stimulate demand.
Electrified vehicles gained further ground in August, accounting for 37.2% of all new registrations, surpassing hybrids, which held 36.7%. Only one in five newly registered cars ran on fossil fuels exclusively. The shift toward alternative powertrains coincides with broader shifts in consumer preferences, including a rise in all-wheel-drive models, which comprised 52.5% of August’s new registrations.
The persistent softness in the market, despite the growth in electrified vehicles, underscores ongoing structural challenges for Switzerland’s automotive sector, including regulatory constraints and macroeconomic headwinds.
