New Car Sales in Switzerland Rise, Strong Growth for Electric Vehicles

Overview of New Car Sales

In September 2026, new car sales in Switzerland increased significantly, with 21,900 new vehicles registered, representing a 9.6% rise from the same month last year, according to Auto-Switzerland.

Electric Vehicle Market Share

Alternative propulsion vehicles dominated the market with a 79% share, up from 73% in September 2025. Of this, electric vehicles contributed 36% of sales, a notable increase from 26% in the previous year, with 7,800 electric cars sold. Other segments included conventional hybrids at 32% (down from 34%) and plug-in hybrids at 12% (stable from 13%). Gasoline vehicles accounted for 17% (down from 22%), while diesel vehicles represented 4% (down from 6%).

Year-to-Date Sales Figures

For the first nine months of 2026, total car sales reached approximately 173,500, marking a 2.7% annual increase. Breakdown of sales includes:

• 62,600 hybrids (+2%)
• 45,500 electric vehicles (+27%)
• 34,900 gasoline vehicles (-16%)
• 21,300 plug-in hybrids (+15%)
• 9,300 diesel vehicles (-24%)

The share of 4x4 vehicles also rose from 50% to 53%.

Industry Insights

Thomas Rücker, director of Auto-Switzerland, expressed optimism about the rise in electric vehicle registrations but highlighted the financial burden on commuters and the transport sector. He stressed the need for the population and businesses to receive support to alleviate mobility costs. Despite the encouraging trends, the adoption of electric mobility remains below projected goals set by federal plans, indicating a need for improved conditions in the sector.

Brand Rankings

Volkswagen led sales with 18,900 units sold from January to September, followed by:

• Škoda: 16,000
• BMW: 13,900
• Mercedes: 14,200
• Audi: 11,600
• Toyota: 10,000
• Tesla: 5,300

Other manufacturers had lower sales figures, with many not surpassing 3,000 vehicles sold.