Behind the scenes
Swiss motorists are fitting winter tyres themselves
by Tobias Heller
"You only have to refuel yourself"
6.6.2019
Translation: machine translated
Pictures: Thomas Kunz
Galaxus is putting horsepower on the road: we have recently started offering you a hand-picked selection of cars and a mobility solution in the form of a car plan. To mark the launch, I met with our project manager Beata Ballé. Traffic jams, new mobility and neglected Barbie dolls: they all came up for discussion.
The market for cars and mobility is in a state of upheaval: new technologies are bringing new products and players, and changing customer needs are demanding new offerings. And Galaxus is also getting in on the act: We have had a selection of vehicles in our range since last week.
Beata, when I think of cars, I think of traffic jams, ruinous insurance premiums and diesel scandals. How are you going to get me away from my beloved suburban railway?
We don't want to get you away from public transport, we want to show you new options for motorised transport. We offer our customers two things: together with the Bern-based start-up Carvolution and the importer Auto Kunz, we offer a new type of car plan. And if you really want to see your name on the car licence, we have a range of hand-picked new cars for you. And at prices that are 10 to 40 per cent below the official list price.
How does the plan work
?
Imagine your old warhorse gives up the ghost. With our plan, you now have the option of using one of nine cars in mint condition for three, six, nine or twelve months. The vehicle will be delivered to your home ready to drive, fully fuelled and redeemed. The delivery date will be arranged with you in advance by telephone.
The price also includes the following services: Taxes, tyre change, service, insurance (comprehensive and third-party liability) and 1,750 free kilometres per month. You only have to refuel the car yourself. What makes the offer even more attractive is that if you order the car today, it will be delivered to your home the next working day. All you need is a valid driving licence (Cat. B) and accident insurance. And of course a Galaxus login.
What is special about our purchase package?
Special is that the vehicle is delivered to your home ready to drive, fully fuelled and redeemed - at no extra charge and without a delivery fee. And we also keep up with the standard services. Cashing in at the road traffic office, insurance formalities, instructions on the vehicle on delivery: everything is included. You can also make warranty claims with all brand representatives, as the European manufacturer's warranty is valid for these vehicles.
Our warehouse in Wohlen is quite large, but I don't see any room for cars there. Where do we actually store all these things?
Don't worry, we don't close the employees' car parks either: the parking spaces are located on the premises of our partners. So we don't have to store the cars ourselves.
How did you actually come to be a category sourcer for cars at Galaxus?
Thanks to my father, I have petrol in my blood: he is a car mechanic and a gifted DIY tinkerer. I have fond memories of the good old days when we could still repair cars together. They weren't computers on wheels back then. I don't think my mum ever really forgave us for the fact that I preferred to play with cars instead of the "beautiful" Barbie dolls and spent hours tinkering with cars with my dad. It came as no surprise to anyone that I wrote my master's thesis on strategic alliances in the automotive sector. And after many years in the advertising industry, specialising in car importers, I joined Digitec Galaxus two years ago. <p
Norina Brun
Senior Communications Manager
norina.brun@digitecgalaxus.chNews aren’t enough for me – it’s the stories behind the news that capture my interest. Curiosity is my constant companion and the reason why I spend Saturday afternoons in my favourite café, eavesdropping on city stories while planning my next travel adventure and creating new event ideas. Zen meditation can wait.
