Explore every episode of the podcast Wheel Insights
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| BYD eyes a quarter of SG car market in 2025 | 18 Feb 2025 | 00:36:01 | |
From keen pricing to guaranteeing the resale value of its electric vehicle, BYD is bent on staying on top. 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. BYD has been in Singapore for more than a decade before it became the country’s biggest selling car brand among authorised distributors. Mr James Ng, the managing director for Singapore and the Philippines, is doubling down on efforts to ensure that BYD extends its lead, not just for passenger cars, but also for public buses and commercial vehicles. Highlights (click/tap above): 2:44 BYD, the same company that made surgical masks during the Covid-19 pandemic 8:44 Eyes a fourth dealer to grow its retail network 14:00 Dealers are free to be creative with their services, but BYD prices are fixed 32:44 We will definitely not be starting a taxi company 34:41 Unsurprising if EV adoption comes up to 50 per cent in 2025 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 Eden Soh 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 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. | |||
| Tales from a “repo” man on towing back vehicles | 14 Jan 2025 | 00:29:53 | |
From parents of newborns to riders who dismantle their motorcycles to evade repossession, this man has seen them all. 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. What happens when a hire-purchase car goes missing or when a marriage turns sour and the fighting parties want their assets back? They call on repossessors like Mr Jim Koh, who has been in the repossession-cum-towing trade for nearly 20 years. Highlights (click/tap above): 2:31 The difference between a towing service and repossessing a vehicle 5:10 Repossessing a vehicle can turn nasty 14:41 Job hazards of being run over or pelted with eggs 21:54 When Jim is compassionate when repossessing vehicles 27:39 Advice for those looking to join 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 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. | |||
| Why COE bidding gives this seasoned motor dealer a heartache | 22 May 2024 | 00:35:28 | |
A seasoned motor industry insider says the COE system is bad for health because of the stress that comes with not knowing “the full picture”. Synopsis: The Straits Times offers expert insights if you are in the market for a new vehicle or are tracking transportation trends. The adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) in Singapore seems to be tracking well. In 2023, 18.2 per cent of all new car registrations were EVs. This was up from 11.7 per cent in 2022. In this episode, host Lee Nian Tjoe speaks with Ms Sabrina Sng, managing director at Wearnes Automotive. This seasoned motor dealer - with 20 years of experience - believes that uncertainty over the price outlook of certificate of entitlement (COEs) is discouraging the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs). This is worsened by what she considers to be a premature cut in incentives to encourage EV adoption. Highlights (click/tap above): 7:30 Call for changes to the COE bidding system - why motor dealers want to cut out companies, like those in private hire, from bidding for COEs because they distort the market 12:00 Reduction of various incentives to encourage EV adoption came too soon 19:38 High COE premiums have pushed up prices of EVs, diminishing the distinction between premium and mass market 21:40 Making the case for EVs to have higher tax rebates 26:42 Does Tesla still have an edge in the automotive world? 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: 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: podcast@sph.com.sg 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. | |||
| How are the 3,000-plus chargers at the HDB carparks being used today? | 24 Apr 2024 | 00:38:09 | |
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 (niantjoel@sph.com.sg), 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: podcast@sph.com.sg 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. | |||
| The story behind the 312 “redistributed” motorcycle COEs | 27 Mar 2024 | 00:51:03 | |
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 (niantjoel@sph.com.sg), 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: podcast@sph.com.sg 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. | |||
| A new way of selling cars in Singapore? | 29 Feb 2024 | 00:44:25 | |
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 (niantjoel@sph.com.sg), 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: podcast@sph.com.sg 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. | |||
| How used car dealers make money; tips for selling your car | 30 Jan 2024 | 00:38:14 | |
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 (niantjoel@sph.com.sg), 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: podcast@sph.com.sg 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. | |||
| Why a single female pays less for motor insurance than a married one | 28 Dec 2023 | 00:47:48 | |
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 (niantjoel@sph.com.sg), 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: podcast@sph.com.sg 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. | |||
| Road testing ideas to bring down COE premiums | 29 Nov 2023 | 00:45:56 | |
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 (niantjoel@sph.com.sg), 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: podcast@sph.com.sg 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. | |||
| Should the COE system be revamped? 2 motor industry veterans have their say | 31 Oct 2023 | 00:34:40 | |
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 (niantjoel@sph.com.sg), 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: podcast@sph.com.sg 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. | |||
| Hear our podcasts on The Straits Times' app, besides Apple Podcasts & Spotify | 09 Oct 2023 | 00:02:25 | |
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 (ernest@sph.com.sg) & 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: podcast@sph.com.sg --- 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. | |||
| Why 6-digit COE prices are the new normal: Ex-industry insider reveals | 15 Sep 2023 | 00:28:14 | |
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 (niantjoel@sph.com.sg), 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: podcast@sph.com.sg 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. | |||
| Raising school bus fares cannot solve woes in industry | 17 Dec 2024 | 00:25:07 | |
“Money not enough” - not even raising fares can fix current school bus woes. 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. School bus fares are constantly rising, and yet operators are saying that ferrying pupils to schools is a loss-making venture with little way out. Mr Darry Lim, 44, who grew his father’s bus company from eight to 38 buses, says that the troubles facing the industry are only worsening as a sizeable number of local drivers are leaving the trade every year. Darry is the director of Hui Leong, a private transport company and serves as the transport officer of the Singapore School Transport Association which represents mainly self-employed school bus drivers. Highlights (click/tap above): 2:21 More drivers than buses are needed 4:11 Shrinking local driver population also means a cut in foreign drivers because of the allowable foreign worker quota, worsening the situation 7:05 A driver’s typical working day start at 5.30am to pick up the first pupil 15:40 The international school student chips in 19:15 “I might be dead before I can pay off the bus!” Read Lee Nian Tjoe's articles: https://str.sg/wt8G Follow Lee Nian Tjoe on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/iqkJ Read more Transport articles: https://str.sg/KHyM 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 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. | |||
| Record-breaking COE’s impact on Singapore society | 28 May 2023 | 00:34:25 | |
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 (ernest@sph.com.sg) 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: podcast@sph.com.sg 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. | |||
| Expect no real surprises in high COE environment for next few months | 03 May 2023 | 00:18:54 | |
Why records set in 2022, and now 2023, could hint at the new normal in post-pandemic COE prices. Synopsis: The Straits Times offers expert insights to Singapore's mobility trends and the vehicle quota system, which includes the Certificate of Entitlement (COE). During the previous April 19 tender, the COE premium - for smaller cars up to 1,600cc and 130bhp, as well as for electric vehicles (EVs) with up to 110 kilowatts of power - crossed the $100,000 mark for the first time. It reached a record high of $103,721, up 7.48 per cent from the previous high of $96,501 at the April 5 tender. New records were also set in the larger car and Open categories. Records set in 2022, and now in the first quarter of 2023, seem to hint that this could be the new normal in post-pandemic COE premiums. To help take stock of it going into the next bidding round on May 4 at 4pm, ST’s podcast editor Ernest Luis hosts his colleague and senior transport correspondent Lee Nian Tjoe. Highlights (click/tap above): 2:20 Impact of the psychological barrier being broken for Category A (smaller and more affordable cars) 4:35 How demand for the COE pool has become complicated with the entry of fleet buyers in past few years 6:55 Expectations: Companies driving demand versus private individuals who are not "downgraders from Cat B" 8:12 The foreseeable scenario in the next three-month cycle in the COE quota from May to July, with fewer available for cars 11:55 Why the spotlight on soaring motorcycle COE premiums? On LTA’s move to quell speculative bidding by dealers Read LTA raising deposit for motorcycle COEs: https://str.sg/ioeu Read Christopher Tan’s article here: https://str.sg/ioeL Produced by: Lee Nian Tjoe (niantjoel@sph.com.sg), 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: podcast@sph.com.sg 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. | |||
| Will the COE for your next car come down on Feb 8 | 02 Feb 2023 | 00:15:13 | |
Why new 5-digit motorcycle COE prices matter to you even if you don't ride. 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. The price of COEs - set by an open tender exercise - has been making the news throughout 2022, repeatedly setting record highs, pushing up the cost of owning a vehicle - and by extension, the cost of transportation all round. The next tender exercise closes at 4pm on Feb 8, 2023. In this episode, podcast editor Ernest Luis and senior transport correspondent Lee Nian Tjoe try to "crystal ball" the results: Will it go up? Or down? Highlights (click/tap above): 1:50 Up or down? More than 100 million dollars were collected in a single COE tender in December 2022 3:14 Why COE prices matter to all in Singapore, even if you are not looking to buy a new car 4:12 A 'gap week' that will influence how the COE price will develop 5:28 A motorcycle COE now costs more than $10,000; why it matters 7:30 Why COE cannot crash overnight; explaining the new calculation method to determine the supply of COEs 13:29 When to put in a bid if you want to get your own COE Read more here: https://str.sg/wt8p Produced by: Lee Nian Tjoe (niantjoel@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis, Hadyu Rahim 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 Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/iqgu Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg 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. | |||
| Why taxi drivers are “changing shift” when you need them most | 19 Nov 2024 | 00:30:27 | |
Improve your chances of getting a ride on a wet Friday evening with some hacks from this experienced cabbie. 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. 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 Transport articles: https://str.sg/KHyM 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 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. | |||
| How to get from autonomous vehicles to flying cars: Xpeng CEO | 12 Nov 2024 | 00:11:34 | |
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 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. | |||
| Has pricey car ownership killed youths' desire for cars? | 22 Sep 2024 | 00:56:07 | |
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 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. | |||
| The influence of Haidilao on our appetite for Chinese cars | 20 Aug 2024 | 00:41:19 | |
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 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. | |||
| Why Singaporeans should expect a lot from the transport system | 31 Jul 2024 | 00:20:51 | |
From the evolution of MRT lines to buses, wider cycling paths and committing to being “car-lite”, our veteran transport reporter tells all. Synopsis: The Straits Times offers expert insights if you are in the market for a new vehicle or are tracking transportation trends. In the second part of the conversation, COE Watch host Lee Nian Tjoe hosts long-time senior transport correspondent at The Straits Times - Christopher Tan - to talk about how he got into journalism, and what has been driving him all these years. Highlights (click/tap above): 2:00 On how Chris Tan once found out how much it cost to build the Kallang-Paya Lebar Expressway 5:30 Chris recalls when he first raised the idea of the bus contracting model way before it was started, to help raise service levels 7:00 Debates on building a new MRT line: Why the Rail Financing Framework is good for the overall network 9:00 “Build ‘em and they will come”; positive knock-on effects 14:00 Why it is fair for Singaporeans to expect more from the public transport system 17:37 Christopher Tan retiring from full-time work end-July 2024; his plans Listen to Pt 1 of Lee Nian Tjoe's conversation with Chris Tan here: https://str.sg/3EEQd Read Lee Nian Tjoe's articles: https://str.sg/wt8G Follow Lee Nian Tjoe on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/iqkJ Read Christopher Tan's articles: https://str.sg/ohcVq Read more COE articles: https://str.sg/iGKC Produced by: Lee Nian Tjoe (niantjoel@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis, Hana Chen and Teo Tong Kai 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 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 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. | |||
| Why non-drivers are also paying the price of high COEs | 24 Jul 2024 | 00:37:27 | |
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 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: podcast@sph.com.sg Read Lee Nian Tjoe's articles: https://str.sg/wt8G Follow Lee Nian Tjoe on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/iqkJ Read Christopher Tan's articles: https://str.sg/ohcVq 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. | |||
| Get into an 'Airbnb' for cars | 26 Jun 2024 | 00:52:09 | |
This car-sharing service managed to convince the government to allow them to match private car owners to hirers. Synopsis: The Straits Times offers expert insights if you are in the market for a new vehicle or are tracking transportation trends. Car-sharing causes traffic congestion because the cars are more heavily used; the cars tend to be abused by the hirers; and in the event of an accident, the insurance excess to pay will be stratospheric - beliefs that Mr Dirk-Jan Ter Horst disagrees with. The Dutch co-founder of peer-to-peer car sharing platform Drive lah, which has been matching private car owners to hirers since 2019, speaks with host Lee Nian Tjoe to make sense of it all. Highlights (click/tap above): 4:02 Using data to convince the Land Transport Authority that peer-to-peer car-sharing works. 13:20 The secret ingredient to running a “two-sided marketplace”. 22:59 Driving a rental car into Malaysia 25:50 Why a resident in Marine Parade hires a car in Jurong. 35:01 Being a good host 43:14 The goal is to make cars accessible to the public. 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: 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: podcast@sph.com.sg 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. | |||