A veteran transport reporter tells us what can be done to bring down COE prices and how to buy a new car.

Synopsis: The Straits Times offers expert insights if you are in the market for a new vehicle or are tracking transportation trends.

In the first of a two-part conversation, COE Watch host Lee Nian Tjoe speaks with Christopher Tan, senior transport correspondent at The Straits Times, to get a grip of the current COE system. 

He also shares his journey as a veteran reporter, having been with SPH since 1983. This was four years before Singapore had its first MRT Line, and before the Land Transport Authority was established. 

He also offers tips on how to shop for a car and recounts some of his most memorable drives, having tested more than 3,000 cars and counting. 

Highlights (click/tap above):

3:00 Why newsmakers are often wary of Christopher Tan from The Straits Times

6:00 Recounting his “embarrassing” first car review

12:00 How electric vehicle adoption will peak around the world

16:10 What flying a helicopter is like

26:00 Reviewing a car fairly for the reader, not the car company 

27:55 The impact of high COE prices on drivers and non-drivers alike

Listen to Pt 2 of Lee Nian Tjoe's conversation with Chris Tan here: https://str.sg/9y73

Produced by: Lee Nian Tjoe (niantjoel@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis, Hana Chen and Teo Tong Kai

Edited by: Fa’izah Sani

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