From January to the end of June 2026, 19,597 light and heavy goods as well as passenger transport vehicles were registered. This represents an increase of 5.4 percent compared to the same period in 2025. Although economic and political uncertainties persist, numerous companies are catching up on postponed investment decisions. Heavy commercial vehicles over 3.5 tonnes gross weight benefit particularly, with new registrations rising by 9.2 percent to 2,155 vehicles compared to the first half of 2025. Passenger transport vehicles - including motorhomes, minibuses, coaches, and buses - also increased with 3,206 new registrations, up 4.2 percent. The segment of light commercial vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes gross weight also benefited from growth of 5.1 percent, increasing to 14,236 registrations. Many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are investing cautiously due to the still uncertain economic situation and are replacing their vehicle fleets later than planned. Nonetheless, a slight compensation for the declines of previous quarters is apparent during the second quarter.
Thomas Rücker, director of auto-schweiz, comments: "The first half of the year showed that companies are investing in new drives where they are operationally and economically convincing," said Rücker. "It is all the more important to have long-term reliable framework conditions that enable investment planning security." auto-schweiz once again reminds Parliament not to brake the momentum of electromobility. Statistics show that in the weight class from 3.6 to 16 tonnes, unlike heavy trucks, the degree of electrification is still very low - although these vehicles are also subject to the heavy vehicle charge (LSVA).
"Alternative drive concepts will only prevail if they are economically viable for transporters. Goods must be transportable at equal total costs. This is apparently not currently possible for every application in all weight categories," Rücker notes.
More Than One in Four New Trucks Runs Electrically
The share of purely electric vehicles (BEVs) in heavy commercial vehicles over 3.5 tonnes gross weight remains high. In the first six months of 2026, it was 26.3 percent. This means that already more than every fourth new vehicle in this segment is electric, as the previous subsidy system generated significant market demand, particularly in the weight class from 18 tonnes. In contrast, for light commercial vehicles, delivery vans, and light semi-trailers up to 3.5 tonnes gross weight, the BEV market share is only 13.9 percent.
Together with the 116,548 new passenger cars, a total of 136,145 new motor vehicles have been registered in Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein in the first half of 2026. This represents an increase of 4,423 new registrations or 3.4 percent compared to the previous year.
Detailed figures by brand are available at www.auto.swiss. The evaluations by auto-schweiz are based on federal surveys; the data may be preliminary and not yet completed.
Press Contact:
Frank Keidel
Media Spokesperson
T 076 399 69 06
frank.keidel@auto.swiss