The other inflation - delivery charges
12/10/2018
A few days ago, we published an article about the Audi 50. We also came across a (Swiss) price list from back then and were a little surprised at the price development over the last 40 years.
A full-size Audi 50 GL (with a 60 hp engine) cost CHF 11,440 back then, special colors cost CHF 100, metallic colors CHF 220 more. Front headrests cost an additional CHF 130, radios were between CHF 275 and 430 (without cassette player).
A comparable car today - one euro can currently be exchanged for CHF 1.13 - might cost twice as much in francs, but front headrests and radios would be included at no extra charge.
The much greater inflation, however, was in the delivery costs, which are listed in the price list as "flat rate for transportation and delivery". Today, these can easily amount to 400 or even 500 francs instead of the 55 francs charged back then, i.e. almost a factor of 10! Of course, a highway toll sticker has been added since then and the gasoline in the tank should also be a little more expensive, but the difference shouldn't really be that big.
