The Swiss car market is declining despite the growth of plug-in hybrids.

In February 2026, the new car market in Switzerland and Liechtenstein experienced a notable decline of 3.2% compared to the previous year, totaling 15,697 new registrations. This decrease reflects a persistent negative trend, exacerbated by strict CO2 regulations. However, plug-in hybrids were an exception, with a significant increase of 25.1%, representing 1,829 registrations. In contrast, pure electric models decreased by 8.5%, and diesel vehicles plummeted by 26.8%.

Thomas Rücker, director of auto-suisse, emphasizes the importance of this change for renewing the vehicle fleet and reducing CO2 emissions. Overall, this observation highlights the structural imbalance in the current automotive market, where alternative powertrains are gaining popularity.