Firstly, there is no more such thing as poor resale value, korean
had in a way make the japanese down on their kneel, most Jap car
sale reported less profitable or loss in their P/L report. It is
good to see so many of these cars around from different source,
competition benefit the consumer at large.
I remember long ago when I visited Borneo Motor to look for
toyota brand, the sales guys are as proud as the statue of Stamford
Raffles,
Just few week ago,
I just happen to be there for van servicing next door, as I step
into their show room, I was immediately treated to a free buffet,
free test drive with free gift, end up, I did not buy anything and
yet still get a bow and lots of thank you. You could see the
competition from the koreans is no joke, from Kia, to hyundai to
samsung, LG, you name it.
When I was in Busan, Hyundai Shipbuilding and Yard as a seamen,
the koreans told me, their main objective is to beat and down
Japan, because by taking down Japan, they know they would had taken
the world. So, with that motto, they strive ON.
And FYI, taxi driving is a profession, we do not need to be
professional, we are the professional taxi driver, but the problem
is, the public in Singapore do not take us as professional TD. So,
no matter how you want us to be professional as we already are, if
the public do not acknowledge it, some treat us as the lower rung
of the society, what can we do?
I'm sorry, but I have to clarify on the resale value matter;
While it is true that the resale value of new Korean cars have
increased a great deal in the last decade, the stats will show that
new and old Japanese cars still have a much higher resale value in
most Asia- Pacific countries. Not because Japanese cars are really
THAT good, but because of the naive perception of the Asian people
who are unwilling to accept the fact that the era of the Japanese
car (1975-1995) has come and truly gone. Even if Korean cars are as
good or better than Japanese cars today, it will not make a big
difference if the people are unwillingly to recognise the reality.
This kind of mentality will only change with the passing of time
and generations.
As for the taxi driver profession part; I strongly agree with
what you said. It's the people who make the real difference here.
So it's up to each and every one of us to change this social stigma
in favour of our taxi drivers then.
