Wheel Insights

Wheel Insights

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Wheel Insights episodes

  • How are the 3,000-plus chargers at the HDB carparks being used today?

    The head of the EV-electric shares some of the learnings from Singapore’s electrification journey.

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

    The pace of EV charger deployment at HDB carparks in 2024 will likely be slower than in the previous year - at least initially - before things pick up speed again. According to EV-Electric's chief executive, Mr Derek Tan, the target is to have another 700 or so chargers ready by 2024 and another 700 by the end of 2025. 

    The head of the company set up by the Land Transport Authority to coordinate the roll-out of Singapore’s public EV charging network said that the data shows that the bulk of the charging at the housing estates happen at night. As EVs become more popular, will we see users fighting over who gets to use the chargers when they return home from work?

    Highlights (click/tap above):

    5:50 The expected slowing down in the rate of charger deployment in 2024 and how every HDB carpark is different  

    12:05 The struggle between taking up a parking space for charging versus the needs of those who do not drive an EV

    15:00 Data shows that 60 per cent of charging happens overnight

    17:30 Ideas to encourage better charging etiquette - from fines to imposing a minimum spend

    30:00 The one technological development that will turbocharge the deployment of chargers. 

    36:20 Why there should be parity in terms of the total cost of owning and using an EV with an internal combustion engine option.

    Produced by: Lee Nian Tjoe ([email protected]), Ernest Luis and Teo Tong Kai

    Edited by: Teo Tong Kai

    Follow COE Watch Podcast here:

    Channel: https://str.sg/iTtE

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

    Spotify: https://str.sg/iqgB

    SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/

    Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

    Feedback to: [email protected]

    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

    ---

    Discover more ST podcast channels:

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

    The Usual Place: https://str.sg/wEr7u

    In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

    COE Watch: https://str.sg/iTtE

    Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

    Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN

    Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

    Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

    Hard Tackle: https://str.sg/JWRE

    #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

    Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX

    ---

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

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

    ---

    Special edition series:

    True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T

    The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2

    Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn

    Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB

    Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa

    ---

    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

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    39 min
  • The story behind the 312 “redistributed” motorcycle COEs

    The head of the industry body for motorcycle sellers and workshops recounts how the association has been pushing for change, from COEs to rules on safety equipment

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

    With all the attention on certificate of entitlement (COEs) for cars, it is easy to forget about the motorcycles, which are the smallest of all vehicle types on the road.

    But as this conversation with Mr Rex Tan, president of the Singapore Motor Cycle Trade Association reveals, the industry body has a big voice, and the Government is listening, from asking for reviews to the COE supply to rules on safety equipment.

    Highlights (click/tap above):

    4:10 The price is right! If you are talking about motorcycle COE premiums. 

    15:25 Why the motorcycle insurance premium seems so high

    20:40 The practice of penalties for paying back loans early

    25:00 What consumers have to do to avoid getting a bad financing deal

    26:15 The saying about the rider protecting the motorcycle

    27:30 An ongoing push to review motorcycle helmet safety standards

    Produced by: Lee Nian Tjoe ([email protected]), Ernest Luis and Teo Tong Kai

    Edited by: Teo Tong Kai

    Follow COE Watch Podcast here:

    Channel: https://str.sg/iTtE

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

    Spotify: https://str.sg/iqgB

    SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/

    Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

    Feedback to: [email protected]

    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

    ---

    Discover more ST podcast channels:

    The Usual Place: https://str.sg/5nfm 

    In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

    Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

    Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN

    Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

    Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

    ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

    #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

    Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX

    Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

    ---

    Special edition series:

    True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T

    The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2

    Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn

    Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB

    Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa

    ---

    Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!

    #coewatch

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    52 min
  • A new way of selling cars in Singapore?

    No other car company has invested as much as Porsche to sell cars to consumers in Singapore with a high-end “studio” in the heart of the city. How is it working?

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

    Cars in Singapore are the most expensive in the world. In this episode, ST's senior transport correspondent Lee Nian Tjoe visits the Porsche Studio Singapore in Guoco Midtown along Beach Road, to speak with Mr Brendan Mok, head of PR and communications at Porsche Asia Pacific.

    They discuss how the German sportscar brand is going to sell more units in Singapore.

    Highlights (click/tap above):

    4:30 What is so different about how Porsche is selling cars in Singapore? 

    17:20 How frequently do car companies review their contracts with dealers?

    19:00 Answering the EV question 

    23:25 Only one in five Porsches sold are actually “sports cars” 

    28:30 Porsche’s sales projection for Singapore in 2024 

    36:30 When there will be a garage sale of Porsche in Singapore

    Produced by: Lee Nian Tjoe ([email protected]), Ernest Luis, Teo Tong Kai, Eden Soh, T Kumar & Willy Wong

    Edited by: Teo Tong Kai

    Follow COE Watch Podcast here:

    Channel: https://str.sg/iTtE

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

    Spotify: https://str.sg/iqgB

    SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/

    Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

    Feedback to: [email protected]

    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

    ---

    Discover more ST podcast channels:

    In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

    Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

    Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN

    Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

    Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

    ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

    #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

    Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX

    Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

    ---

    Special edition series:

    True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T

    The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2

    Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn

    Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB

    Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa

    ---

    Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!

    #coewatch

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    45 min
  • How used car dealers make money; tips for selling your car

    As it turns out, it is not from the mark-up on the car itself that pays the bulk of the bills for used car dealerships

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

    Almost 60 per cent of those who sell their cars, are looking for another one. This means that the business of used cars will continue. 

    ST's senior transport correspondent Lee Nian Tjoe speaks with Mr Kuanyu Tan, the country manager of Carro, a used car dealership that buys and claims to sell 6,000 cars a year, to understand the business and what it means to the car buyer. 

    Highlights (click/tap above):

    2:20 Where do used cars go? How do used car dealers get inventory financing?

    6:10 Are used cars really more affordable than new cars? Price trends in relation to COE prices

    17:36 Top two tips for car owners to get the best deal when selling their vehicles

    20:48 How long is too long for a car dealer to hold on to their stock?

    26:30 Carro's scheme to “test-own” electric vehicles in Singapore, to help educate consumers about EVs

    29:40 Why used car dealers are not making offers for electric vehicles

    32:26 The impact of the Lemon Law on used cars

    Produced by: Lee Nian Tjoe ([email protected]), Ernest Luis and Teo Tong Kai

    Edited by: Teo Tong Kai

    Follow COE Watch Podcast here:

    Channel: https://str.sg/iTtE

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

    Spotify: https://str.sg/iqgB

    SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/

    Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

    Feedback to: [email protected]

    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

    ---

    Discover more ST podcast channels:

    In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

    Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

    Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN

    Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

    Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

    ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

    #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

    Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX

    Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

    ---

    Special edition series:

    True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T

    The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2

    Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn

    Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB

    Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa

    ---

    Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!

    #coewatch

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    39 min
  • Why a single female pays less for motor insurance than a married one

    How premiums are calculated and how making a claim does not mean a higher premium renewal.

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

    It is compulsory for all vehicles to have third-party insurance and vehicles that are under financing are required to have comprehensive insurance policies.

    To find out how motorists can avoid some of the pitfalls of getting coverage for their vehicles, ST’s senior transport correspondent Lee Nian Tjoe speaks with Mr Douglas Chia, the chief executive of Eazy, an insurance brokerage.

    Highlights (click/tap above):

    3:33 Why does it seem that motor insurance premiums are always going up, even when the car is getting older?

    10:00 A married male driver pays less for insurance than an unmarried one, but the opposite is true for female drivers: an unmarried one is deemed to be less risky than a married one

    21:33 How the No Claim Discount (NCD) protector does not work to the motorist’s benefit

    28:00 Why accidents in rental cars are so shockingly expensive

    33:49 Horror stories of exorbitant claims from staged accidents

    44:35 What happens if the other party runs away in an accident?

    Produced by: Lee Nian Tjoe ([email protected]), Ernest Luis and Teo Tong Kai

    Edited by: Teo Tong Kai

    Follow COE Watch Podcast here:

    Channel: https://str.sg/iTtE

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

    Spotify: https://str.sg/iqgB

    SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/

    Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

    Feedback to: [email protected]

    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

    ---

    Discover more ST podcast channels:

    In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

    Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

    Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN

    Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

    Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

    ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

    #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

    Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX

    Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

    ---

    Special edition series:

    True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T

    The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2

    Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn

    Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB

    Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa

    ---

    Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!

    #coewatch

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    48 min
  • Road testing ideas to bring down COE premiums

    A motor trader with more than 25 years experience in the industry, gives his perspective.

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

    With the big swings in the price for certificates of entitlement (COEs) in recent tender exercises, ST’s senior transport correspondent Lee Nian Tjoe hosts Mr Nicholas Wong, general manager of Kah Motor, to get his views on some suggestions to address the issue. 

    Highlights (click/tap above):

    2:30 Would COE prices come down if we adopt the “pay as you bid” system?

    6:26 Car buyers bid for COEs themselves: Is that advisable?

    9:17 Cash payment only for COEs, no financing allowed: How feasible?

    13:10 Addressing the problem with electric vehicles in the COE system

    18:00 "Let’s just do away with Open category COEs": Mr Nicholas Wong explains why

    28:25 The types of hybrid technologies in the market today

    38:00 Why hybrids are disadvantaged under the current system

    Read more here: https://str.sg/if4e

    Produced by: Lee Nian Tjoe ([email protected]), Ernest Luis and Teo Tong Kai

    Edited by: Teo Tong Kai

    Follow COE Watch Podcast here:

    Channel: https://str.sg/iTtE

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

    Spotify: https://str.sg/iqgB

    Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

    Feedback to: [email protected]

    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

    ---

    Discover more ST podcast channels:

    In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

    Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

    Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN

    Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

    Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

    ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

    #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

    Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX

    Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

    ---

    Special edition series:

    True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T

    The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2

    Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn

    Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB

    Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa

    ---

    Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!

    #coewatch

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    46 min
  • Should the COE system be revamped? 2 motor industry veterans have their say

    Motor industry veterans pitch their ideas to bring down premiums.

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

    Certificate of entitlement (COE) premiums have doubled from what they were a year ago with expectations that they will continue to rise. This translates to higher vehicle prices. 

    To understand what is driving up COE prices and what can be done about it, host Lee Nian Tjoe speaks with two motor industry veterans - Mr Neo Tiam Ting, President of Singapore Vehicle Traders Association, and Mr Neo Nam Heng, adviser to the Automobile Importer and Exporter Association and chairman of diversified motor group Prime.

    Highlights (click/tap above):

    5:48 Why the industry experts say that it is the private-hire fleet owners that are driving up the COE.

    7:40 We appeal to have a “lock-in period” for car ownership like it is with HDB flats.

    12:35 Car rental companies are having it too easy.

    21:45 How the industry appealed for changes to the COE system in 2012 for taxis.

    23:30 Why cars will become even more expensive in 2024.

    28:00 Are there good bargains for vehicles in the market today?

    Read more: https://str.sg/iGK9

    Produced by: Lee Nian Tjoe ([email protected]), Ernest Luis, Teo Tong Kai and Amirul Karim

    Edited by: Teo Tong Kai

    Follow COE Watch Podcast here:

    Channel: https://str.sg/iTtE

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

    Spotify: https://str.sg/iqgB

    Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

    Feedback to: [email protected]

    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

    ---

    Discover more ST podcast channels:

    COE Watch: https://str.sg/iTtE

    In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

    Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

    Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN

    Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

    Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

    ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

    #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

    Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX

    Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

    ---

    Special edition series:

    True Crimes Of Asia (new): https://str.sg/i44T

    The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2

    Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn

    Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB

    Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa

    ---

    Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!

    #coewatch

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    35 min
  • Hear our podcasts on The Straits Times' app, besides Apple Podcasts & Spotify

    Each follow on the audio apps below and a rating really helps us! Happy listening!

    Synopsis: A brand new feature is within The Straits Times app, which you can download from the Apple app store or the Google Play store. For those of you who already have it, the latest version update now has a dedicated Podcast Section, where you can listen to our latest incoming show episodes and check out back episodes too.

    You can also choose to follow our podcast RSS feeds, or the shows on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

    If you have a smart home speaker like the Google Home or Nest device, or your Android phone, just say: “Hey Google, play me (name of any of the shows below) or The Straits Times Podcasts.”

    Get The Straits Times app from

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

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

    Produced & edited by: Ernest Luis ([email protected]) & Teo Tong Kai

    Follow ST Podcasts:

    Channel: https://str.sg/wvz7

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

    Spotify: https://str.sg/wukH

    SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/

    Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

    Feedback to: [email protected]

    ---

    Discover more ST podcast channels:

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

    The Usual Place: https://str.sg/wEr7u

    In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

    COE Watch: https://str.sg/iTtE

    Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

    Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN

    Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

    Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

    Hard Tackle: https://str.sg/JWRE

    #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

    Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX

    ---

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

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

    ---

    Special edition series:

    True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T

    The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2

    Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn

    Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB

    Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa

    ---

    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

    #stpodcasttr

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    3 min
  • Why 6-digit COE prices are the new normal: Ex-industry insider reveals

    Hear how the final hour of bidding for COEs can typically go, from a ex-motor trade insider.

    Synopsis: The Straits Times offers expert insights to Singapore's mobility trends and the vehicle quota system, which includes the Certificate of Entitlement (COE).

    There are two tender exercises for these COEs every month. It typically opens for three days, from noon on a Monday and to 4pm on Wednesday. But the bidding action only comes alive in the final hour or so, as more bids start to appear and the premiums climb. 

    To help us understand what goes on behind the scenes in that last 60 minutes, ST’s senior transport correspondent Lee Nian Tjoe speaks with Mr Say Kwee Neng, who has been in the motor trade for more than 20 years.

    Highlights (click/tap above):

    2:00 What goes on the final hour of bidding and who is typically left in last crucial 15 minutes of the bidding exercise

    5:28 Three reasons why a dealership may be more driven to bid aggressively to secure COEs

    7:45 "Inside" a big dealership: Setting up a wall of computers dedicated to securing COEs

    12:45 Why motor dealers do not want to drive up COE premiums; best time to buy a car today?

    17:10 Why it is "not the consumer's problem" when COEs rise

    23:20 Say Kwee Neng: “There is no chance that COE premiums will come down. The days of a five-figure COE are well and truly over.”

    Produced by: Lee Nian Tjoe ([email protected]), Ernest Luis, Fa’izah Sani and Paxton Pang

    Edited by: Fa’izah Sani

    Follow COE Watch Podcast here:

    Channel: https://str.sg/iTtE

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

    Spotify: https://str.sg/iqgB

    Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/iqgu

    Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

    Feedback to: [email protected]

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

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

    ---

    Discover more ST podcast channels:

    COE Watch: https://str.sg/iTtE

    In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

    Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

    Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN

    Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

    Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

    ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

    #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

    Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX

    Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

    ---

    Special edition series:

    True Crimes Of Asia (new): https://str.sg/i44T

    The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2

    Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn

    Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB

    Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa

    ---

    Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!

    #coewatch

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    29 min
  • Record-breaking COE’s impact on Singapore society

    As more are priced out of owning cars, will the cost of vehicle-sharing services shoot up and be passed on to those who use them? 

    Synopsis: The Straits Times offers expert insights to Singapore's mobility trends and the vehicle quota system, which includes the Certificate of Entitlement (COE).

    The certificate of entitlement (COE) is the permit needed for a vehicle to be used on the road in Singapore. This cost then needs to be added to the cost of the vehicle itself before it hits the road. Coupled with a zero-growth policy, the price of COEs - set by an open tender exercise - has been making the news, repeatedly setting record highs, pushing up the cost of owning a vehicle - and by extension, the cost of transportation all round.

    In this episode, ST's podcast editor Ernest Luis hosts colleague and senior transport correspondent Lee Nian Tjoe, and Ms Ramya Ragupathi, an entrepreneur in the food industry. She runs Oh My Goodness, a food manufacturing start-up that specialises in  gluten-free, dairy-free and refined sugar-free foods.

    They discuss the future and inevitable impact of record COE prices on society as Singapore is pushing for a car-lite society, and why people should not just think of COE prices as having an impact only on those who can afford a car in Singapore. 

    Also, why COE prices will not plunge below the $100,000 mark, or even return to the sub-50k days.

    Highlights (click/tap above):

    4:13 As a food start-up owner who can't afford her own vehicle, Ms Ramya on her mix use of car-sharing, ride-hailing and MRT options

    5:09 But with factories in Admiralty, Mandai, why sticking to just public transport means "time and work productivity is lost"

    8:45 Why increased supply of COEs over coming months could easily be outstripped by higher demand from leasing companies, to grow ride-hailing and car-sharing services

    14:15 Bearing higher costs ultimately as consumers of such services

    23:27 Making sense of see-sawing motorcycle COE prices in May 2023

    25:10 How this impacts gig workers, bus drivers renting bikes to get to work; Ms Ramya on her food sector workers' early morning long commute difficulties

    Produced by: Ernest Luis ([email protected]) and Paxton Pang

    Edited by: Paxton Pang

    Follow COE Watch Podcast here:

    Channel: https://str.sg/iTtE

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

    Spotify: https://str.sg/iqgB

    Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/iqgu

    Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

    Feedback to: [email protected]

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

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

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    Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX

    Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

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    35 min

About Wheel Insights

From the publisher's feed

Synopsis: Every 3rd Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times examines wider public and private transport issues including vehicle prices.