Vehicle registrations saw another decline in July, continuing the negative trend already observed in June. According to data released today by the Federal Statistical Office (FSO), a total of 37,300 vehicles, including cars, trucks, buses, and motorcycles, were registered in July, marking a 1% decrease compared to the same period last year.
The data, which was anticipated ten days ago by the importers’ association Auto-Switzerland, highlights a particularly notable contraction in the automobile sector, which saw a 2% decrease, with 18,100 new registrations. However, this overall decline masks very different trends across various motorization categories.
Notably, gasoline vehicles experienced a significant drop of 17%, with only 5,200 units registered. In contrast, sales of conventional hybrid vehicles saw a substantial increase of 29%, reaching 6,200 units. Plug-in hybrids also declined, with a 14% drop and 1,500 new registrations. Diesel vehicles saw a 9% decrease, with 1,800 units, while registrations of electric vehicles fell by 6%, with 3,400 new cars hitting the roads.
Motorcycle registrations also declined, registering a 2% drop with 5,200 units. On the other hand, vans and trucks showed an 11% increase, reaching 2,700 units, as did vehicles for passenger transport, which grew by 5% to 700 units, including 600 camper vans.
Analyzing the cumulative data for the first six months of 2024 reveals a slight decrease in car registrations, which dropped by 1% to 141,100 units. In this context, gasoline vehicles saw a 13% decline, while electric vehicles registered a 7% decrease. Conversely, sales of conventional hybrid vehicles increased by 16%.
Regarding other segments, trucks showed a 10% growth with 21,300 registered units, while motorcycles increased by 2% to 34,700 units. The bus and camper segment also recorded slight growth of 1%, with a total of 5,200 units. Overall, the total number of vehicles registered in the first six months of 2024 remained stable at 207,000 units.
These figures highlight a mixed dynamic in the road vehicle market, with a general decline in traditional car registrations, offset by the growing popularity of hybrid vehicles and some dynamism in the commercial vehicle and passenger transport sectors.
