Our History
Autobritt: The story of a Geneva garage spanning three generations.
Autobritt, The Garage Since 1968!
With three locations in Geneva specializing in sales and mechanical repairs, Autobritt has established itself as a key player in Geneva’s automotive scene, recognized for its expertise, high standards, and passion for cars with a special soul.
A look back at a family saga that has spanned more than 50 years.
The Family Business
In the heart of Geneva, a passion for cars was born in 1968. Jean-Jacques Thuner, a Swiss rally driver, founded the Autobritt garage—then an official Triumph dealer—together with his partner, Mr. Jacques Vananty. Building on Jean-Jacques’s reputation and Triumph’s success, the garage quickly became a go-to destination for enthusiasts of British cars.
The company’s history is a family affair: Iris Thuner, Jean-Jacques’s wife, welcomes customers and handles the bookkeeping, instilling in the business a family spirit that endures to this day. In the 1970s and 1980s, Autobritt expanded its lineup to include Jaguar, Land Rover, and Rover.
In 1984, Bernard Thuner, the founder’s son, joined the company. He took over as CEO in 2000, joined by his wife Sandra, marking the transition to the second generation. The renowned Swedish brand Volvo then joined the group’s portfolio of luxury brands.
Since 2022, Fabien Thuner, the founder’s grandson, has been at the helm of the company. As a representative of the third generation, he is steering Autobritt toward a forward-looking future while honoring the family legacy.
“BOWLER HAT,” a piece of English heritage: The renowned Geneva-based sculptor André Bucher created the Autobritt logo. This symbol—featuring a bowler hat, monocle, and bow tie—evokes the tradition and elegance of British automobiles, while giving the Autobritt “brand” a strong identity and a timeless vintage style!
A Legacy of Passion
The Thuner family’s automotive legacy is distinguished not only by its entrepreneurial spirit, but above all by a shared passion for racing. It all began with Jean-Jacques Thuner, a Swiss pioneer of the 1960s and 1970s, who excelled in major international competitions, notably at the 1965 24 Hours of Le Mans, where he won his class behind the wheel of a Triumph Spitfire coupe.
His son, Bernard Thuner, a two-time Swiss champion, competed in four editions of the 24 Hours of Le Mans in the 1980s and 1990s. A versatile driver, he excelled in single-seaters, hillclimbs, and touring cars. Although he wasn’t initially drawn to Le Mans, the race became a highlight of his career, a legacy he continues to carry forward in historic racing events such as Le Mans Classic.
Finally, Fabien Thuner, Jean-Jacques’s grandson, got his start in karting at a very young age, under Bernard’s guidance. He worked his way up through the ranks to the German Porsche Cup, while maintaining a deep passion for the technical side of the sport. Lacking the necessary resources to reach the highest levels, he turned to endurance racing, where he fulfilled his dream of racing alongside his father.
The Thuner family: three generations dedicated to motorsports
Inherited values
Originally, Autobritt’s staff consisted solely of its two founders, their respective wives—who worked part-time—and a single mechanic. This small team instilled in the young company a family spirit and values that are still evident more than half a century later.
Today, with over 120 employees across its various Geneva locations, Autobritt stands out not only for the growth of its workforce, but above all for their loyalty and commitment to these values.
Far more than just cogs in the machine, each employee contributes, through their skills and dedication, to the company’s success and vitality.
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