Discussion
A recent flight into Geneva has got me thinking a bit. On walking out of the airport I noticed that the taxi rank consisted of mostly older large saloons (S Class, LS400, E Class and the like) all of which appeared to be petrol and in immaculate condition, the type of which is now becoming scarce in the UK.
I also noticed during our transfer to the French Alps that the cars on Swiss roads were not as new as I might have imagained (for such a wealthy place) and were again immaculate, like the 1983 Sierra that we pulled up alongside at the lights; I did'nt get the impression that it was someone's pampered classic either.
So a couple of things that I am curious to know:
1) Is Diesel not all that common in CH?
2) Is there any particular reason why the cars appear to be in such better condition (and not it would seem just the taxis)?
Hope someone can enlighten me!
I also noticed during our transfer to the French Alps that the cars on Swiss roads were not as new as I might have imagained (for such a wealthy place) and were again immaculate, like the 1983 Sierra that we pulled up alongside at the lights; I did'nt get the impression that it was someone's pampered classic either.
So a couple of things that I am curious to know:
1) Is Diesel not all that common in CH?
2) Is there any particular reason why the cars appear to be in such better condition (and not it would seem just the taxis)?
Hope someone can enlighten me!
1) diesel is more expensive than 98 Octane
2) the swiss are usually obsessive cleaners, that's why all seems so well kept, however a trucker friend in CH says that their servicing is not always as good (i.e. well kept up) as the cars/trucks shinyness may imply.
AND the buying power of the SFR has dropped badly since the Euro came in and the Swiss are hurting nowadays... our area close to the border has seen a large drop in swiss shoppers in the last 6 months due to a poor SFR/€ exchange rate (they always came over for the vastly cheaper white goods and also food!)
there is also a huge earnings gap between the blue and the whitecollar workers in Switzerland which they don't like to admit....
a blue collar may only earn around 3-4000,- monthly, whereas anyone with a degree and a good job may well earn in the high teens or higher!!!
2) the swiss are usually obsessive cleaners, that's why all seems so well kept, however a trucker friend in CH says that their servicing is not always as good (i.e. well kept up) as the cars/trucks shinyness may imply.
AND the buying power of the SFR has dropped badly since the Euro came in and the Swiss are hurting nowadays... our area close to the border has seen a large drop in swiss shoppers in the last 6 months due to a poor SFR/€ exchange rate (they always came over for the vastly cheaper white goods and also food!)
there is also a huge earnings gap between the blue and the whitecollar workers in Switzerland which they don't like to admit....
a blue collar may only earn around 3-4000,- monthly, whereas anyone with a degree and a good job may well earn in the high teens or higher!!!
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