Summary

The Swiss Federal Council opened a consultation on two regulatory revisions on May 13, 2026. The Price Disclosure Ordinance (PBV) is being amended to require vehicle leasing providers to disclose financing contributions. At the same time, the Motor Vehicle Ordinance (KFZV) is being adjusted to extend minimum termination periods to the agency model. The consultation runs until September 3, 2026.

Persons

  • Federal Council (collective body)

Topics

  • Consumer protection
  • Automotive sector
  • Regulation and transparency
  • Regulatory revision

Clarus Lead

The reforms address two central market deficiencies in the Swiss automotive sector: incomplete price transparency in leasing offers and asymmetric termination protection rights between manufacturers and garages in the agency model. Both adjustments are based on parliamentary motions and signal increased consumer protection priorities. The consultation period until September 2026 gives stakeholders a voice before final legislation.

Detailed Summary

The PBV amendment aims to establish comparability of leasing offers. In the future, providers must disclose and quantify when affiliated companies or distribution partners provide financing contributions that reduce the leasing price or effective annual interest rate. This enables consumers to transparently identify the scope of subsidization and objectively compare offers from different providers as well as alternative financing forms. The measure implements Motion 22.4544 (Pfister).

The KFZV adjustment affects the agency model, a direct distribution form in which vehicle providers distribute their vehicles in their own name and at their own expense through garages as intermediaries. Garages in this model now have a claim to the minimum termination periods of the KFZV – a de facto expansion of termination protection. The regulation implements Motion 22.3838 (Gugger).

Key Statements

  • The Federal Council requires vehicle leasing providers to disclose financing contributions to increase consumer comparability.
  • Minimum termination periods are extended to the agency model, thereby better protecting garages.
  • Both revisions are based on parliamentary motions and are subject to public consultation until September 3, 2026.

Critical Questions

  1. Evidence: What data demonstrates that failure to disclose financing contributions actually leads to suboptimal consumer decisions? Are there empirical comparative studies?

  2. Conflicts of Interest: How are manufacturers and garages involved in the consultation, and is there a risk of conflicting positions that could delay implementation?

  3. Causality: It is unclear whether extending termination periods to agency models actually leads to better market conditions for garages, or whether other factors (market concentration, manufacturer power) are more dominant.

  4. Feasibility: How are financing contributions concretely delineated and quantified when affiliated companies use multiple financing instruments (discounts, subsidies, credit concessions)?

  5. Side Effects: Could increased transparency requirements disproportionately burden small leasing providers and promote market concentration?

  6. Enforcement: What sanctions apply for non-disclosure, and how is compliance monitored?

Source Directory

Primary Source: [Federal Council Improves Transparency in Vehicle Leasing and Agency Contracts] – https://www.news.admin.ch/de/newnsb/TfePz1WKWp_lqpys246HR

Verification Status: ✓ 13.05.2026

This text was created with the support of an AI model. Editorial responsibility: clarus.news | Fact-checking: 13.05.2026