Switzerland used to have a lively car industy, with about 25 car manufacturers, 100 years ago, with brands such as “Turicum” and “Martini”. Even until 1975 cars were actually built in Switzerland — you would have guessed: the Opel Rekord.
Car manufacturing, however, is still important for Switzerland, not ontly in retail. The manufacturer’s contribution to the GDP is an estimated 7 billion francs worth in car-parts, manufacturing equipment and engineering services. More elegantly named, the “automotive industry” in Switzerland should become more visible and be working more closely together with universities and foreign partners. This is the aim of scope34, to create innovation partnerships for the automotive industry. Peter Troxler is the Research Manager of this programme for 2007.