As is well known, a dispute has been simmering for several months over the reorganization of the classic car umbrella associations in Switzerland. Previously there were the two umbrella organizations FSVA and Swiss Oldtimers, but last fall a new umbrella organization called FSVH was added to represent the interests of the Swiss classic car scene as a whole. The plan was for the two previous umbrella organizations to dissolve and hand over their assets to the new umbrella organization.
There was resistance to this procedure, which was not entirely transparent for many of those involved, and the Pro-FSVA was formed, which agreed with the aim of forming a joint umbrella organization for all Swiss classic car interests, but not with the route via the new FSVH.
Until now, it was assumed that a merger of the previous umbrella organizations FSVA and Swiss Oldtimers would be impossible for personnel reasons and that a new foundation and a fresh start would therefore be necessary, as was the aim with the FSVH.
Now, however, the fronts seem to be crumbling, as Alex E. Rüber, President of Swiss Oldtimers and Silvan Ulrich, Vice President of Swiss Oldtimers, together with Urs Dätwyler and André Schaltter, as well as three members of the FSVA board, have formulated and approved a "declaration of intent" that holds out the prospect of a merger between Swiss Oldtimers and FSVA. This would fulfill the goal of having an umbrella association and make an additional umbrella association and the dissolution of the existing one unnecessary.
Of course, the declaration of intent is only a first step; now the individual committees and representatives must come together and take a democratically and legally correct path towards the merger of FSVA and Swiss Oldtimers. This may take a few more months, even with a sporting schedule, and it cannot yet be guaranteed or even predicted whether the necessary majorities can be created for this path.
We will probably find out in a few days how the FSVH, which is already under construction, will react to this new development.
The full declaration of intent can be found here.
Previous reports on this topic:
- United classic car association in Switzerland not out of the woods yet (April 23, 2014)
- New timetable for the unified classic car umbrella organization in Switzerland (January 31, 2014)
- Heated debate in the VHL about the future classic car umbrella organization in Switzerland (January 25, 2014)
- A classic car umbrella organization in Switzerland - when everyone agrees, but a common path is still not easy ... (January 11, 2014)
- New umbrella organization for historic vehicles in Switzerland (November 11, 2013)