Wheel Insights
by The Straits Times
Synopsis: Every 3rd Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times examines wider public and private transport issues including vehicle prices.Podcaster: Lee Nian TjoeProduced and edited by: Amirul KarimExecutive producers: Ernest Luis & Lynda HongA podcast by The Straits Times, SPH Media.
Episodes
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Will LTA’s proposed changes fix the COE system?
Will COE prices for cars fall if there is just one COE category for cars, with a tiered surcharge or rebate depending on the vehicle’s open market value? These are some changes that the Land Transport Authority (LTA) proposed on Oct 8, as part of a review of the COE system. This comes as the gap...
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Is owning a car in Singapore now out of reach?
Will the recent changes to the preferential additional registration fee (PARF) rebate and the current COE prices turn away car buyers? Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announced in his Budget speech on Feb 12 that the PARF rebate will be lowered by 45 percentage points. The maximum rebate a car owner...
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Paying more for green travel: Are levies and carbon taxes enough?
Which means of various green transportation can decarbonise the most? 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. From October 2026, travellers departing Singapore...
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Parking.SG, the summons auntie is coming!
The popular Parking.SG app was supposed to help parking wardens issue summons. What happened? 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. The Parking.SG app handles…
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A restaurant that also serves BYD EVs
Three finance graduates had used data to create a business that completes the BYD experience in a restaurant 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. While other...
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Competing for the Porsche Carrera Cup during F1 Grand Prix weekend in SG
How a 36-year-old will be racing on the Marina Bay Street Circuit in Oct 2025 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. Host and senior transport correspondent Lee...
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Taxi driver “adding shift” to be a YouTuber
“LazyCabbie” drives for 10 hours daily, besides making insightful videos on his working life. 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. Contrary to the name of his...
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Explore The Straits Times’ podcasts
Listen to our news commentary podcasts on the go every week. Podcasts have become part of the global media landscape these days. The audio-on-demand format allows many listeners to often do other chores or hobbies, while hearing the shows in the background over headphones or bluetooth speakers...
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65 going 85, how old is too old to drive a car?
Eyesight and vehicle costs are major concerns for seniors who drive. 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 Danny Yeo has been driving since 1974. The...
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Who needs a car when there is a driverless bus at 2am?
Forget “car-lite”, go for “car-free”, an SUTD prof makes the case for drivers to hang up their keys. 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. It turned out that...
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BYD eyes a quarter of SG car market in 2025
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…
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Tales from a “repo” man on towing back vehicles
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.…
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Raising school bus fares cannot solve woes in industry
“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...
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Why taxi drivers are “changing shift” when you need them most
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…
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How to get from autonomous vehicles to flying cars: Xpeng CEO
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…
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Has pricey car ownership killed youths' desire for cars?
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...
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The influence of Haidilao on our appetite for Chinese cars
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…
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Why Singaporeans should expect a lot from the transport system
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…
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Why non-drivers are also paying the price of high COEs
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…
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Get into an 'Airbnb' for cars
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...
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Why COE bidding gives this seasoned motor dealer a heartache
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…
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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...
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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....
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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.…
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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...
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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…
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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…
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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).…
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Expect no real surprises in high COE environment for next few months
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…
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Will the COE for your next car come down on Feb 8
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…
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About this show
Synopsis: Every 3rd Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times examines wider public and private transport issues including vehicle prices.Podcaster: Lee Nian TjoeProduced and edited by: Amirul KarimExecutive producers: Ernest Luis & Lynda HongA podcast by The Straits Times, SPH Media.
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The Straits Times
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