Car Co-Investment in Switzerland: How It Works at RG Automotive

Car co-investment means co-financing the purchase of a premium used vehicle with RG Automotive, with the net profit shared once the car is sold. In practice: a Mercedes-AMG C43 recently handled at the garage generated CHF 4,000 in profit over 23 days, distributed between both parties according to the mandate terms. This model is not a conventional financial product and makes no claim to rival an index fund. It addresses a specific question: what to do with available capital in a Swiss context where buy-to-let property has become increasingly difficult to access and short-term rates remain low.

TL;DR — Car co-investment at RG Automotive: you finance a vehicle selected by the garage, RG handles preparation and sale, and the net profit is shared on a contractual basis. No guaranteed return, no regulated financial instrument — an operational partnership built around a tangible asset.

The AMG C43 Case Study: a Real Operation from Start to Finish

In late 2023, RG Automotive acquired a Mercedes-AMG C43 for CHF 48,500 from a private seller. Twenty-three days later, the car was sold for CHF 63,900 to a buyer in the Romandy region. Below is a full breakdown of the operation, figures included.

Capital deployed

• Acquisition price: CHF 48,500
• Mechanical preparation (full service, rear brake pads, filters): CHF 1,850
• Cosmetic preparation (machine polish, touch-ups, professional interior detailing): CHF 620
• Cantonal inspection and administrative fees: CHF 180
• Photography and listing: included in RG Automotive's margin
• Total deployed: CHF 51,150

Returns

• Sale price: CHF 63,900
• Gross profit: CHF 12,750
• Ancillary costs (platform commission, test drives, provisioned statutory warranty): approx. CHF 1,750
• Net profit available for distribution: CHF 11,000

How the split worked

The co-investor had contributed half the acquisition capital. Under the contract signed beforehand, the net profit was divided 50/50: CHF 5,500 to the co-investor, CHF 5,500 to RG Automotive. Total duration of the operation, from purchase to completion: 23 days.

What this case is not

A co-investment in premium used cars in Switzerland can equally run for four months, generate a more modest return, or break even on a model that moves slowly. This example is neither a benchmark nor a promise of repeatable performance. It illustrates a mechanism — not a return to plan around.

One further point: the co-investor had no involvement in day-to-day operations. Vehicle selection, negotiation, preparation, listing, client test drives, inspection paperwork — all of it remained RG Automotive's responsibility. The financial partner's role begins with the capital contributed and ends with the distribution of the result.

How Car Co-Investment Works: Roles and Responsibilities

The model rests on a clear division: RG Automotive handles all operations; the co-investor provides the capital. No grey areas — each role is defined in a written contract signed for the specific transaction.

RG Automotive manages the entire process:

• Vehicle sourcing (Swiss and cross-border market, professional network, auctions)
• Technical assessment prior to purchase and acquisition price negotiation
• Mechanical and cosmetic preparation in-house
• Sales management: listings, photography, test drives, buyer negotiations
• Full administrative handling (registration transfer, cantonal road authority formalities, VAT, statutory warranty)

The co-investor contributes the capital, from CHF 5,000 per transaction. You sign the contract, transfer the funds to the dedicated account, and have nothing further to do until the final settlement. No management, no administrative steps, no liability towards the end buyer: the vehicle remains legally within RG Automotive's stock throughout.

The Per-Transaction Contract: What It Covers

Each co-investment is governed by a separate bilateral contract, tied to a specific, identified vehicle (make, model, chassis number, purchase price). It sets out: the amount contributed, the profit-sharing ratio, the ceiling for preparation costs, the target duration of the transaction, and the terms applicable should the vehicle remain unsold beyond that period.

This arrangement is a private participation agreement on a defined transaction. It is neither a fund, nor a collective investment scheme, nor a financial product within the meaning of the FinSA (LSFin). There is no public solicitation, no guaranteed return, and no performance promise of any kind.

How the Net Profit Is Calculated and Paid

The calculation is straightforward:

Net profit = sale price − (purchase price + documented preparation costs)

The resulting profit is then split 50/50. At closing, the co-investor receives three documents: the signed contract, the full set of supporting invoices (purchase invoice, workshop invoices, ancillary costs), and a line-by-line final settlement statement. Payment is made as soon as RG Automotive receives the sale proceeds.

Market Context: Why Switzerland in 2025

Three factors converge in 2025 to make car co-investment genuinely relevant in Switzerland: compressed returns on traditional savings, a structurally deep used-car market, and a predictable depreciation curve on recent premium vehicles that creates consistent sourcing opportunities.

Traditional Returns Under Pressure

In March 2025, the Swiss National Bank cut its policy rate to 0.25 %, then to 0 % in June. The direct consequence: savings accounts now yield between 0.1 % and 0.75 % depending on the institution, while 10-year Confederation bonds hover below 0.5 %. Once inflation (around 1 %) and withholding tax are factored in, the real return on a standard savings account is negative.

This is prompting a segment of Swiss savers to look for short-cycle alternative placements — ones that do not lock capital away for a decade the way direct property investment does.

A Structurally Deep Used-Car Market

According to the TCS, Switzerland trades roughly three times as many used vehicles as new ones each year — a secondary market running into several hundred thousand units. That depth has two practical implications:

• Liquidity exists: a vehicle bought well and prepared properly will find a buyer.
• The gap between motivated sellers (relocation, separation, an expiring lease, an estate) and buyers willing to wait for the right car creates regular sourcing windows.

Depreciation as Raw Material

A premium vehicle typically loses 30 to 45 % of its list price within its first three years. Acquiring a well-maintained example between years three and six — from a seller who needs a quick transaction — then repositioning it after a thorough preparation is a matter of exploiting an information and timing asymmetry, not speculating on price appreciation.

Car co-investment therefore sits between fixed income (too little return), buy-to-let property (too capital-intensive, too illiquid), and crypto assets (too volatile): a tangible, short-cycle placement backed by an asset you can inspect and have independently assessed.

Car Co-Investment vs Swiss Buy-to-Let Property: a Factual Comparison

Swiss buy-to-let property remains a solid asset class — but it operates on an entirely different scale from car co-investment: different entry points, different time horizons, different levels of involvement. Comparing the two is less about choosing a winner and more about understanding which approach suits which investor profile.

Five criteria, side by side

Criterion	Car co-investment (RG Automotive)	Buy-to-let property, Suisse romande
Minimum entry	From CHF 5,000	Several hundred thousand CHF (deposit + property)
Capital lock-up	A matter of weeks to a few months	5 to 10 years minimum to absorb transaction costs and tax
Indicative gross return	Variable — depends on the vehicle and time to resale	3 to 7% gross, per comptoir-immo.ch and analyse-financiere.ch
Active management required	None — RG handles sourcing, preparation, display, and resale	Maintenance, tenants, service charges, PPE, property management
Liquidity	Capital and share of any gain returned at resale	Structurally illiquid: selling takes months and incurs notarial fees

What this means in practice

An individual with CHF 20,000 available can participate in four co-investment operations simultaneously — or spend the next decade accumulating the minimum deposit for a studio flat in Suisse romande. These are not competing strategies; they belong to different chapters of a financial plan.

Property builds long-term wealth, with bank leverage and a well-understood tax framework. Car co-investment deploys more modest sums over short cycles, with no management burden on your part. The two can coexist within the same portfolio without conflict.

One caveat applies equally to both: no advertised return is ever guaranteed. The following section sets out precisely what can go wrong on the automotive side, and how the co-investment agreement addresses those scenarios.

Real Risks and Contractual Framework

A car co-investment is neither a savings account nor a guaranteed return. Three unfavourable scenarios should be understood clearly before signing.

The vehicle takes longer than expected to sell

A projected sale window of 4 months can extend to 8 or 10 months depending on the model, the season, and prevailing market conditions. During that period, your capital remains committed with no interim return. RG Automotive does not accrue running interest: the return crystallises at the point of sale only. Co-investment should therefore be considered only with funds you will not need to access at short notice.

The resale price falls short of projections

If the final sale price is below the initial estimate, the settlement follows a straightforward rule: net sale price − documented costs = distributable balance. That balance is then allocated according to the ownership shares set out in the contract. In practical terms, if costs — reconditioning, transport, marketing, commission — erode the expected margin, your share may equal your original capital or, in the least favourable cases, fall slightly below it. No scenario exposes you to a loss greater than your initial outlay.

Disputes over costs

Every cost line is supported by a verifiable document — workshop invoice, transport receipt, appraisal fee, or commission statement. These are provided to you alongside the final settlement. The contract signed at the outset defines the ceiling for admissible costs and the categories covered; any expenditure outside that scope requires your prior written consent.

What the contract does not cover

• Any form of guaranteed return
• An automatic buyback of the vehicle should the sale fail
• Cantonal tax fluctuations on private capital gains
• Force majeure events not covered by the consignment insurance

For a significant sum or a complex financial situation, consulting a tax or legal adviser before signing is the prudent course. RG Automotive provides the contract in advance specifically to allow for that independent review.

Frequently Asked Questions about Car Co-Investment at RG Automotive

What is the minimum amount required to participate in an operation?

Co-investment starts from CHF 5,000 per operation. This threshold gives you access to mid-range premium vehicles — recent sports compacts, executive saloons — without committing disproportionate capital. For classic cars or high-end grand tourers, the individual ticket rises accordingly, but the principle remains unchanged: one operation, one contract, one clearly defined entry point.

How long will my capital be tied up on average?

The duration depends entirely on the vehicle, its asking price, and market conditions at the time. As an illustration, the Mercedes-AMG C43 operation mentioned earlier concluded in 23 days. Some cars sell faster; others take several months. No timeline is contractually guaranteed — that is the counterpart of a return linked to a real transaction rather than a fixed-rate placement.

What happens if the vehicle does not sell within the expected timeframe?

The contract sets out several outcomes agreed upon in advance: a price adjustment after a defined period, an extension of the listing, or a buyout of the vehicle by one of the co-investors at its residual value. No forced sale at a loss is triggered without the written agreement of all parties.

How can I model my potential return before committing?

Simply contact us to review a current or upcoming operation. We present the vehicle, its acquisition price, the estimated resale range, and the proposed profit-sharing structure — with no obligation on your part. No signature is required at this stage.

Is this arrangement subject to FINMA oversight?

No. This is a bilateral contract covering a specific transaction between RG Automotive and the co-investor — not a public offering of securities within the meaning of FinSA (LSFin). No financial instrument is issued. If you have questions about your personal situation — tax treatment, cumulative operations — we recommend consulting an independent legal or tax adviser.

How to Start Your First Operation with RG Automotive

The starting point is a straightforward conversation — by phone or e-mail. You outline your situation: the amount you are considering, your time horizon, and any preference for a particular segment. We then check whether a current or upcoming operation fits your profile. No commitment is required at this stage.

The Process, Step by Step

1. Initial contact. You write or call us. We arrange a meeting — typically within a week — either at the garage in Pont-en-Ogoz or by video call.
2. Presentation of an operation. We walk you through a specific vehicle (or a short-list): its full history, the proposed acquisition price, our resale estimate, the expected timeframe, and the planned profit split. Every figure is on the table.
3. Decision and contract. If the operation suits you, we sign a written agreement setting out the invested amount, the distribution key, the maximum holding period, and the exit terms. You leave with your own copy.
4. Ongoing updates. Throughout the holding period, you receive regular progress reports: showroom visits, feedback from prospective buyers, any price adjustments. Once the vehicle sells, you receive a detailed settlement statement alongside your payment.

Before Getting in Touch

Two pages on the site are worth a quick read:

• The garage — to understand who we are, our team, and our approach to the trade.
• Consignment sale — to grasp the business model within which car co-investment in Switzerland operates at RG Automotive.

We work with a limited number of partners at any one time, which calls for a genuine alignment of expectations rather than a rush to sign. Take the time to read, compare, and ask questions. When you are ready to move forward, our contact details are on the contact page.

A first operation typically takes shape over a coffee at the Pont-en-Ogoz showroom: we review the vehicles currently being sourced, discuss realistic investment figures, and go through the mandate clauses — with no obligation. If you would prefer to get a feel for RG Automotive through the selling side first, placing your own vehicle on a consignment mandate is often the most natural entry point. You can also browse the current stock to see the type of premium used cars we handle. To discuss a co-investment opportunity, contact us directly with your time horizon and the amount you have in mind.