The popular classic car event "Oldtimer in Obwalden" (O-iO) will finally take place again in its usual form in 2022, on Saturday, June 4 in Sarnen and on Sunday, June 5 in Beromünster. Ruedi Müller has chosen a hot topic for Sarnen: modern alternative drives meet their ancestors.
Ruedi Müller, the organizer, is convinced: "Our passion, our tradition only has a future if we engage in a lively discourse with the present and the future".
E-mobility is currently a trend among many manufacturers, and some will switch completely to electric vehicles. Japanese car manufacturers also have hydrogen models in their portfolios. Cars and natural gas remain in a niche. Internal combustion engines - one day probably powered by e-fuels - are far from being written off, and some brands will continue to develop such engines.
Müller created the slogan "Honoring the old, not rejecting the new. O-iO: Mobility yesterday, today and tomorrow" and started by looking backwards. Alternative drives have always existed. Such vehicles regularly took part in the O-iO. Cars with steam engines such as the Locomobile from 1901, electric cars such as the Detroit Electric from 1918 or the Tribelhorn from 1918, as well as cars with wood carburetors such as a Ford A from 1928.
After the owners of these early cars with alternative drive agreed to take part, the anchor was dropped in history. In a second step, the O-iO organizer contacted garages in the Sarneraa Valley that had brands with alternative drive systems in their portfolio and asked whether they would like to offer test drives. This also worked, with seven garages convinced by the following argument: "Private transport is being criticized. O-iO is the emotional super-booster for the car, a cheerful, free public festival for spectators young and old.
On Saturday, June 4, 2022, classic cars with alternative drive systems and current electric and hydrogen models will be parked side by side in Sarnen. The new vehicles will be available for test drives.
Elektrizitätswerk Obwalden EWO will also be represented with charging solutions. O-iO is an event for cars in general. Around 550 classic cars take part each year, but you are likely to see even more baby carriages. Kids who, even at a tender age, adore classic cars with shining eyes and outstretched arms from their vehicles, will also support the car as adults with voting rights.
Further information can be found on the O-iO website.
