The reality at the showroom, from 10 years ago

COE demand: Vehicle leasing companies

Singapore has a congestion problem.

Dangers of the sense of defeatism in the youth

Altering behaviours: Nudge not push

How much to pay under a distance-based system?

A university professor says his students are not keen on owning a car, while a motor industry expert says that they would, if cars were affordable. 

Synopsis: Every third Tuesday of the month, The Straits Times offers expert insights on new vehicles or transportation trends.

In this episode, COE Watch host Lee Nian Tjoe invites Associate Professor Raymond Ong from the National University of Singapore, who wrote an opinion piece published in The Straits Times in August which said that the current price of certificate of entitlement (COE) needed to register a mass-market car is more affordable to households in Singapore today than it was in 2013. His other guest is motor trader-turned-consultant Say Kwee Neng.

Highlights (click/tap above):

6:15 The reality at the showrooms, where the age of car buyers has changed from 10 years ago 

12:05 Car-leasing firms for private hire have changed the game in the demand for COEs

26:20 The danger of the sense of defeatism in youths when cost of a car has reached far beyond their means

35:00 COE and car taxes in deterring ownership "have past a use-by date"

42:00 How much to pay under a distance-based road pricing system or a satellite-based system?

Read Assoc Prof Ong's article for ST: https://str.sg/yKAg

Read Lee Nian Tjoe's articles: https://str.sg/wt8G

Follow Lee Nian Tjoe on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/iqkJ

Read more COE articles: https://str.sg/iGKC

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

Edited by: Teo Tong Kai

Follow COE Watch Podcast here and get notified for new episode drops:

Channel: https://str.sg/iTtE

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/iqW2

Spotify: https://str.sg/iqgB

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

---

Follow more ST podcast channels:

All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7

ST Podcast website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa

---

Get The Straits Times' app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:

The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB

Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX

#coewatch

A university professor says his students are not keen on owning a car, while a motor industry expert says that they would, if cars were affordable. 
Synopsis: Every third Tuesday of the month, The Straits Times offers expert insights on new vehicles or transportation trends.
In this episode, COE Watch host Lee Nian Tjoe invites Associate Professor Raymond Ong from the National University of Singapore, who wrote an opinion piece published in The Straits Times in August which said that the current price of certificate of entitlement (COE) needed to register a mass-market car is more affordable to households in Singapore today than it was in 2013. His other guest is motor trader-turned-consultant Say Kwee Neng.
Highlights (click/tap above):
6:15 The reality at the showrooms, where the age of car buyers has changed from 10 years ago 
12:05 Car-leasing firms for private hire have changed the game in the demand for COEs
26:20 The danger of the sense of defeatism in youths when cost of a car has reached far beyond their means
35:00 COE and car taxes in deterring ownership "have past a use-by date"
42:00 How much to pay under a distance-based road pricing system or a satellite-based system?
Read Assoc Prof Ong's article for ST: <a href="https://str.sg/yKAg">https://str.sg/yKAg</a>
<a href="https://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/what-s-really-driving-coe-premiums-and-the-price-of-cars-in-singapore"></a>Read Lee Nian Tjoe's articles:<a href="https://str.sg/wt8G"> https://str.sg/wt8G</a>
Follow Lee Nian Tjoe on LinkedIn:<a href="https://str.sg/iqkJ"> https://str.sg/iqkJ</a>
Read more COE articles:<a href="https://str.sg/iGKC"> https://str.sg/iGKC</a>
Produced by: Lee Nian Tjoe (<a href="mailto:niantjoel@sph.com.sg">niantjoel@sph.com.sg</a>), Ernest Luis and Teo Tong Kai
Edited by: Teo Tong Kai
Follow COE Watch Podcast here and get notified for new episode drops:
Channel: <a href="https://str.sg/iTtE" aria-describedby="sk-tooltip-12099">https://str.sg/iTtE</a>
Apple Podcasts: <a href="https://str.sg/iqW2">https://str.sg/iqW2</a>
Spotify: <a href="https://str.sg/iqgB">https://str.sg/iqgB</a>
Feedback to: <a href="mailto:podcast@sph.com.sg">podcast@sph.com.sg</a>
---
Follow more ST podcast channels:
All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: <a href="https://str.sg/wvz7">https://str.sg/wvz7</a>
ST Podcast website: <a href="http://str.sg/stpodcasts">http://str.sg/stpodcasts</a>
ST Podcasts YouTube: <a href="https://str.sg/4Vwsa">https://str.sg/4Vwsa</a>
---
Get The Straits Times' app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:
The App Store: <a href="https://str.sg/icyB">https://str.sg/icyB</a>
Google Play: <a href="https://str.sg/icyX">https://str.sg/icyX</a>
#coewatch

Synopsis: Every 3rd Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times examines not just vehicle prices but wider transport issues and trends connected to public and private transport.

Podcaster: Lee Nian Tjoe

Produced and edited by: Teo Tong Kai

Executive producers: Ernest Luis & Lynda Hong

A podcast by The Straits Times, SPH Media.

Synopsis: Every 3rd Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times examines not just vehicle prices but wider transport issues and trends connected to public and private transport.
Podcaster: Lee Nian Tjoe
Produced and edited by: Teo Tong Kai
Executive producers: Ernest Luis &amp; Lynda Hong
A podcast by The Straits Times, SPH Media.

Wheel Insights

Synopsis: Almost every weekday, our ALL-IN-ONE channel showcases discussions on Singapore youth perspectives and social issues, geopolitics through an Asian lens, health, climate change, personal finance and career.

Follow our shows on your favourite audio apps Apple Podcasts, Spotify or even ST's app, which has a dedicated podcast player section.

Produced by podcast editor Ernest Luis & The Straits Times, SPH Media.

Synopsis: Almost every weekday, our ALL-IN-ONE channel showcases discussions on Singapore youth perspectives and social issues, geopolitics through an Asian lens, health, climate change, personal finance and career.
Follow our shows on your favourite audio apps Apple Podcasts, Spotify or even ST's app, which has a dedicated podcast player section.
Produced by podcast editor Ernest Luis &amp; The Straits Times, SPH Media.

The Straits Times Podcasts

Synopsis: Every 3rd Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times examines not just vehicle prices but wider transport issues and trends connected to public and private transport.

Podcaster: Lee Nian Tjoe

Produced and edited by: Amirul Karim

Executive producers: Ernest Luis & Lynda Hong

A podcast by The Straits Times, SPH Media.

Synopsis: Every 3rd Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times examines not just vehicle prices but wider transport issues and trends connected to public and private transport.
Podcaster: Lee Nian Tjoe
Produced and edited by: Amirul Karim
Executive producers: Ernest Luis &amp; Lynda Hong
A podcast by The Straits Times, SPH Media.

Has pricey car ownership killed youths' desire for cars?

Being a taxi hirer and a “relief driver”

Driving duration for daily taxi rental

Why taxis don’t look out for street-hailers

Taxi gains from Sept 2024 EWL disruption

Taxi drivers change shifts during peak hours

Advice for those considering to join the trade

Improve your chances of getting a ride on a wet Friday evening with some hacks from this experienced cabbie.

Every 3rd Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times examines not just vehicle prices but wider transport issues and trends connected to public and private transport.

Mr James Quak is among the 89,000 qualified taxi drivers in Singapore. In this episode of Wheel Insights, the 49-year-old sheds light on how taxi drivers work out their share of the vehicle rental and how they decide which ride booking to take. 

Highlights (click/tap above):

2:35 The difference between being a taxi hirer and a “relief driver”

5:41 How much driving time makes up for daily taxi rental 

13:59 Why taxi drivers don't look out for street-hailers

17:46 How much taxi drivers benefited during the East-West Line MRT disruption in September 2024

23:01 The reason why taxi drivers always seems to be changing shift during peak travel hours

25:39 Advice for those considering joining the trade

Read Lee Nian Tjoe's articles: https://str.sg/wt8G

Follow Lee Nian Tjoe on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/iqkJ

Read more COE articles: https://str.sg/iGKC

Host: Lee Nian Tjoe (niantjoel@sph.com.sg)

Produced & edited by: Amirul Karim

Executive producers: Ernest Luis and Lynda Hong

Follow Wheel Insights Podcast here and get notified for new episode drops:

Channel: https://str.sg/iTtE

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/iqW2

Spotify: https://str.sg/iqgB

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

---

Follow more ST podcast channels:

All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7

ST Podcast website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa

---

Get The Straits Times' app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:

The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB

Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX

#wheelinsights

Improve your chances of getting a ride on a wet Friday evening with some hacks from this experienced cabbie.
Every 3rd Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times examines not just vehicle prices but wider transport issues and trends connected to public and private transport.
Mr James Quak is among the 89,000 qualified taxi drivers in Singapore. In this episode of Wheel Insights, the 49-year-old sheds light on how taxi drivers work out their share of the vehicle rental and how they decide which ride booking to take. 
Highlights (click/tap above):
2:35 The difference between being a taxi hirer and a “relief driver”
5:41 How much driving time makes up for daily taxi rental 
13:59 Why taxi drivers don't look out for street-hailers
17:46 How much taxi drivers benefited during the East-West Line MRT disruption in September 2024
23:01 The reason why taxi drivers always seems to be changing shift during peak travel hours
25:39 Advice for those considering joining the trade
Read Lee Nian Tjoe's articles:<a href="https://str.sg/wt8G"> https://str.sg/wt8G</a>
Follow Lee Nian Tjoe on LinkedIn:<a href="https://str.sg/iqkJ"> https://str.sg/iqkJ</a>
Read more COE articles:<a href="https://str.sg/iGKC"> https://str.sg/iGKC</a>
Host: Lee Nian Tjoe (niantjoel@sph.com.sg)
Produced &amp; edited by: Amirul Karim
Executive producers: Ernest Luis and Lynda Hong
Follow Wheel Insights Podcast here and get notified for new episode drops:
Channel: <a href="https://str.sg/iTtE">https://str.sg/iTtE</a>
Apple Podcasts: <a href="https://str.sg/iqW2">https://str.sg/iqW2</a>
Spotify: <a href="https://str.sg/iqgB">https://str.sg/iqgB</a>
Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg
---
Follow more ST podcast channels:
All-in-one ST Podcasts channel:<a href="https://str.sg/wvz7"> https://str.sg/wvz7</a>
ST Podcast website:<a href="http://str.sg/stpodcasts"> http://str.sg/stpodcasts</a>
ST Podcasts YouTube:<a href="https://str.sg/4Vwsa"> https://str.sg/4Vwsa</a>
---
Get The Straits Times' app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:
The App Store:<a href="https://str.sg/icyB"> https://str.sg/icyB</a>
Google Play:<a href="https://str.sg/icyX"> https://str.sg/icyX</a>
#wheelinsights

Why taxi drivers are “changing shift” when you need them most

Reduced driver's manual override by 2025

Level 5 autonomy: Driving in any condition

Automation do not mean drivers lose their jobs

Flying cars?

How does Xpeng pick its markets?

Survival of the fittess: Chinese car companies

Technology is advancing at such a pace as Chinese electric vehicle brand Xpeng is aiming to prove to the global market.

Synopsis: In this special episode, The Straits Times' Lee Nian Tjoe meets Mr He Xiaopeng, the chairman and chief executive of Chinese electric vehicle brand, Xpeng.

By 2025, Xpeng cars will bring the driver from door-to-door with barely any human intervention and in 2026, it plans to deliver its first flying vehicle. 

Xpeng is using automated driving technology to make driving safer and more relaxing.

The target, Mr He says, is to make the cars behave like “good drivers” on the road, adapt to local conditions and behaviours.

Concurrently, the company is taking to the skies. Its first flying vehicle will reach customers in 2026. 

Highlights (click/tap above):

2:55 By 2025, Xpeng’s drivers will only need to step in to take control once or twice per 100km covered

3:45 Level 5 autonomous driving means that the vehicle can handle itself in all conditions, whether it is a typhoon or an earthquake

5:25 Automated driving technology does not mean drivers will lose their jobs

7:00 Flying cars? 

8:46 How Xpeng picks its markets and goes about entering them

9:35 On why only a minority of car companies in China today will survive in the next five to 10 years

Read Lee Nian Tjoe's articles: https://str.sg/wt8G

Follow Lee Nian Tjoe on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/iqkJ

Read more COE articles: https://str.sg/iGKC

Host: Lee Nian Tjoe (niantjoel@sph.com.sg)

Produced & edited by: Amirul Karim and Teo Tong Kai

Executive producers: Ernest Luis and Lynda Hong

Follow COE Watch Podcast here and get notified for new episode drops:

Channel: https://str.sg/iTtE

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/iqW2

Spotify: https://str.sg/iqgB

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

---

Follow more ST podcast channels:

All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7

ST Podcast website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa

---

Get The Straits Times' app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:

The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB

Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX

#coewatch

Technology is advancing at such a pace as Chinese electric vehicle brand Xpeng is aiming to prove to the global market.
Synopsis: In this special episode, The Straits Times' Lee Nian Tjoe meets Mr He Xiaopeng, the chairman and chief executive of Chinese electric vehicle brand, Xpeng.
By 2025, Xpeng cars will bring the driver from door-to-door with barely any human intervention and in 2026, it plans to deliver its first flying vehicle. 
Xpeng is using automated driving technology to make driving safer and more relaxing.
The target, Mr He says, is to make the cars behave like “good drivers” on the road, adapt to local conditions and behaviours.
Concurrently, the company is taking to the skies. Its first flying vehicle will reach customers in 2026. 
Highlights (click/tap above):
2:55 By 2025, Xpeng’s drivers will only need to step in to take control once or twice per 100km covered
3:45 Level 5 autonomous driving means that the vehicle can handle itself in all conditions, whether it is a typhoon or an earthquake
5:25 Automated driving technology does not mean drivers will lose their jobs
7:00 Flying cars? 
8:46 How Xpeng picks its markets and goes about entering them
9:35 On why only a minority of car companies in China today will survive in the next five to 10 years
Read Lee Nian Tjoe's articles:<a href="https://str.sg/wt8G"> https://str.sg/wt8G</a>
Follow Lee Nian Tjoe on LinkedIn:<a href="https://str.sg/iqkJ"> https://str.sg/iqkJ</a>
Read more COE articles:<a href="https://str.sg/iGKC"> https://str.sg/iGKC</a>
Host: Lee Nian Tjoe (<a href="mailto:niantjoel@sph.com.sg">niantjoel@sph.com.sg</a>)
Produced &amp; edited by: Amirul Karim and Teo Tong Kai
Executive producers: Ernest Luis and Lynda Hong
Follow COE Watch Podcast here and get notified for new episode drops:
Channel: <a href="https://str.sg/iTtE" aria-describedby="sk-tooltip-12099">https://str.sg/iTtE</a>
Apple Podcasts: <a href="https://str.sg/iqW2">https://str.sg/iqW2</a>
Spotify: <a href="https://str.sg/iqgB">https://str.sg/iqgB</a>
Feedback to: <a href="mailto:podcast@sph.com.sg">podcast@sph.com.sg</a>
---
Follow more ST podcast channels:
All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: <a href="https://str.sg/wvz7">https://str.sg/wvz7</a>
ST Podcast website: <a href="http://str.sg/stpodcasts">http://str.sg/stpodcasts</a>
ST Podcasts YouTube: <a href="https://str.sg/4Vwsa">https://str.sg/4Vwsa</a>
---
Get The Straits Times' app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:
The App Store: <a href="https://str.sg/icyB">https://str.sg/icyB</a>
Google Play: <a href="https://str.sg/icyX">https://str.sg/icyX</a>
#coewatch

How to get from autonomous vehicles to flying cars

Why so many new Chinese car brands in SG?

What BYD does right

Pressure to boost EV charging infrastructure

How dealers choose car brands

Chinese car brands are here to stay

A motor industry expert connects popular culture to the success of Chinese car brands in Singapore.

Synopsis: Every third Tuesday of the month, The Straits Times offers expert insights on new vehicles or transportation trends.

BYD is leading the sales chart in Singapore and other Chinese car brands are also making their way here. In a market where the total number of vehicle registrations is capped, the success of the newcomers comes at the cost of incumbent players.

Dr Victor Kwan, who was in the motor trade for more than 20 years before joining academia, explains what is driving this trend and whether it is sustainable.

Highlights (click/tap above):

6:15 The reason for the appearance of so many new Chinese car brands in Singapore

8:20 What BYD Is doing right

22:00 The pressure to develop the charging infrastructure to spur the desire for electric cars

24:50 What dealers think about when deciding to bring in a car brand

38:00 Chinese car brands are here to stay

Read Lee Nian Tjoe's articles: https://str.sg/wt8G

Follow Lee Nian Tjoe on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/iqkJ

Read more COE articles: https://str.sg/iGKC

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

Edited by: Teo Tong Kai

Follow COE Watch Podcast here and get notified for new episode drops:

Channel: https://str.sg/iTtE

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/iqW2

Spotify: https://str.sg/iqgB

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

---

Follow more ST podcast channels:

All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7

ST Podcast website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa

---

Get The Straits Times' app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:

The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB

Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX

#coewatch

A motor industry expert connects popular culture to the success of Chinese car brands in Singapore.
Synopsis: Every third Tuesday of the month, The Straits Times offers expert insights on new vehicles or transportation trends.
BYD is leading the sales chart in Singapore and other Chinese car brands are also making their way here. In a market where the total number of vehicle registrations is capped, the success of the newcomers comes at the cost of incumbent players.
Dr Victor Kwan, who was in the motor trade for more than 20 years before joining academia, explains what is driving this trend and whether it is sustainable.
Highlights (click/tap above):
6:15 The reason for the appearance of so many new Chinese car brands in Singapore
8:20 What BYD Is doing right
22:00 The pressure to develop the charging infrastructure to spur the desire for electric cars
24:50 What dealers think about when deciding to bring in a car brand
38:00 Chinese car brands are here to stay
Read Lee Nian Tjoe's articles:<a href="https://str.sg/wt8G"> https://str.sg/wt8G</a>
Follow Lee Nian Tjoe on LinkedIn:<a href="https://str.sg/iqkJ"> https://str.sg/iqkJ</a>
Read more COE articles:<a href="https://str.sg/iGKC"> https://str.sg/iGKC</a>
Produced by: Lee Nian Tjoe (<a href="mailto:niantjoel@sph.com.sg">niantjoel@sph.com.sg</a>), Ernest Luis and Teo Tong Kai
Edited by: Teo Tong Kai
Follow COE Watch Podcast here and get notified for new episode drops:
Channel: <a href="https://str.sg/iTtE" aria-describedby="sk-tooltip-12099">https://str.sg/iTtE</a>
Apple Podcasts: <a href="https://str.sg/iqW2">https://str.sg/iqW2</a>
Spotify: <a href="https://str.sg/iqgB">https://str.sg/iqgB</a>
Feedback to: <a href="mailto:podcast@sph.com.sg">podcast@sph.com.sg</a>
---
Follow more ST podcast channels:
All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: <a href="https://str.sg/wvz7">https://str.sg/wvz7</a>
ST Podcast website: <a href="http://str.sg/stpodcasts">http://str.sg/stpodcasts</a>
ST Podcasts YouTube: <a href="https://str.sg/4Vwsa">https://str.sg/4Vwsa</a>
---
Get The Straits Times' app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:
The App Store: <a href="https://str.sg/icyB">https://str.sg/icyB</a>
Google Play: <a href="https://str.sg/icyX">https://str.sg/icyX</a>
#coewatch

Has pricey car ownership killed youths' desire for cars?

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