Switzerland Auto Market reported a moderate decrease in 2018 with registrations were at 299.705, ending the year down 4.6%, affected by the WLTP introduction for EU Countries. Volkswagen is still the leader, while Ford scored an impressive performance.
Economic Environment
Switzerland economy floundered in Q3 due to falling exports and weaker domestic growth, while Q4 data has thus far been mixed. The KOF economic barometer fell again in November and the unemployment rate inched up in the same month. Nevertheless, retail sales rebounded in October and the manufacturing PMI recovered in November. Meanwhile, lengthy negotiations with the EU over an institutional framework agreement, to closer align Swiss law with EU regulations, have become more contentious in recent weeks.
Economic momentum is expected to ebb in 2019 on weakening external demand due to slower regional growth. Moreover, the licensing-revenue impetus from major sporting events in 2018 will dissipate.
Market Trend
Switzerland vehicles market in the last five years has been really stable with car passenger’s volume between the 300.000 and 330.000 units ending the 2017 at 314.088 sales (-1.1%).
In the 2018 the trend within the car passenger’s segment is keeping the marginal negative line. Indeed, according to the data released by the Auto Suisse, the Association of local Automotive Importers, sales have decreased by 4.6% with 299.705 units sold. The market was unable to reach the 300.000 level for the first time since 2010. The year ended with a negative annual gain for the third time in a row, influenced by the WLTP regulation introduced for EU Countries on September 1.
Competitive Arena
At brand wise, no changes on top of the 2018 list, with Volkswagen leader with at 32.949 (-8.4%) with 11% of market share.
The battle for the second place has been very interesting with just few units between the contenders, Mercedes and BMW. Actually Mercedes prevailed with 25.661 sales (-1.6%) over BMW with 24.283 (-2.5%).
Behind Skoda with 19.160 units (-6.9%) ahead of Audi with 18.378 (-10.9%), Ford with 15.185 (+9.4%), Renault with 12.729 (-8.2%), Opel with 11.933 (-15%), Seat with 11.468 (-4.9%) and in 10th place Peugeot with 9.712 (-4.9%).
At model wise, the 2018 best-selling is the Skoda Octavia with 8.661 sales (-13.5%) ahead of the Volkswagen Golf with 7.385 (-22.3%) and the Volkswagen Tiguan with 7.276 (+2.3%).
Tables with sales figures
In the tables below we report sales for all Brands and top 10 Manufacturers Group.
