cars
Chinese competition helps drive Swiss car prices lower
Average asking prices for new and used cars in Switzerland fell again in the third quarter, with competition from lower-priced Chinese brands contributing to the decline. New-car prices dropped 5. 8% year-on-year, while used-car prices fell 4. 3%.
New-car asking prices fell 5.8% in one year, giving Swiss buyers another sign that the market is moving in their favour. AutoScout24 recorded a further 2.6% decline between the second and third quarters of 2026, while prices for used cars fell 4.3% year-on-year and 0.8% quarter-on-quarter.
The figures cover asking prices listed on Switzerland’s leading online car marketplace, rather than final transaction prices. They nevertheless show a broad movement across the market. Families replacing an older vehicle, commuters seeking a more affordable model and companies renewing fleets are all encountering lower advertised prices than a year ago.
Competition from Chinese manufacturers is contributing to the shift. AutoScout24 said these brands are expanding their presence in Switzerland with lower-priced models, while also attracting attention through technology and rapid product development. Their growing visibility gives consumers more options when comparing cars in a market long dominated by European, Japanese and South Korean manufacturers.
Supply is also increasing. The number of vehicles advertised on AutoScout24 rose 0.7% from the previous quarter and 2.6% over the year. More choice and sharper price competition are putting pressure on sellers across both the new and used markets.
Watch the Powertrain Price Gap
New plug-in hybrid prices plunged 16% year-on-year, the sharpest decline identified in the AutoScout24 analysis. The drop points to a particularly competitive segment where buyers can weigh petrol, hybrid and fully electric options against one another.
New petrol cars also became cheaper. Their average asking prices fell 4.4% compared with the second quarter and 4.9% compared with the third quarter of 2025. These declines affect one of the most familiar categories on Swiss roads, where buyers continue to assess purchase price, running costs and access to charging infrastructure.
The electric-car picture is more mixed. Used electric vehicles rose 1.5% quarter-on-quarter, making them the only category in the analysis to record a short-term increase. Their prices still remained 1.4% below the level recorded a year earlier. That annual decline suggests that depreciation and expanding supply continue to influence the second-hand electric market, even as individual quarters produce temporary rebounds.
Chinese manufacturers are entering this contest with models positioned around price, equipment and newer technology. AutoScout24 previously highlighted their growing presence in Switzerland. Their expansion adds pressure to established brands, particularly in segments where buyers compare electric and hybrid drivetrains closely.