Channel NewsAsia - Sunday,
December 30
Car buyers get
more options as Singapore hosts first parallel import
show
SINGAPORE : Car buyers now have even greater choices as more
parallel importers are setting up shop in Singapore.
And the importers are selling a wider range of models as seen at
the first car show for parallel imports.
Called Auto Expo, the show is held at the Singapore Expo this
weekend.
Visitors get to see some pretty fancy cars and dream cars in
various shapes and sizes.
The Xtreme Night Show is also making its debut to satisfy the
desire of those who like their fourwheelers all tunedup and
touchedup.
Some have taken the makeover much further like a monster hifi on
wheels from Indonesia, where such modifications are big
business.
Besides Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore, other countries are
getting into the act as well.
Some of the pumpedup machines are actually registered to go on the
roads.
Given the pull of modified cars, Singapore now wants to be a
regional hub of this "hip and happening" hobby.
Terence Tan, Chief Editor, Hotstuff Magazine, said: "As of next
year, we intend to plan a regional effort to have an event based on
competition, vehicle modification competitions, and which would
actually end in Singapore. We intend to take this into a road trip
element to have it go over to Malaysia in 2009 and 2010 perhaps to
the Philippines."
And to complete the entire alternative lifestyle look for the show,
race queens from Malaysia and Thailand have been brought in to rev
up the action.
But if a conventional car is what youre actually looking for
youll be spoilt for choice.
From Japanese to continental, there are up to 100 cars on display
at the Auto Expo.
A few new models are being launched at this inaugural show, which
involves about 15 companies.
More Singaporeans are buying from these smaller setups and
industry observers say there are currently a total of 50 parallel
import companies in Singapore.
Alan Tan, Organiser, Auto Expo 2007, said: "Parallel importers have
been having quite a good market in Singapore about 20 percent as
compared to new cars distributors. We hope to have this platform to
increase their sales and to increase their market share."
That big market share is partly due to their eye for details such
as customising the cars to the individuals needs. CNA/ch
