SINGAPORE – The Singapore Motor Show 2024 just opened on January 11, but some car dealers are already running low on inventory.
The much-anticipated event, which runs until January 14 at the Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Center, comes a week after car prices fell due to a plunge in certificate of title (COE) premiums.
Now in its eighth year, the annual event is hosted by the Singapore Automobile Trade Association, which represents the majority of authorized motor distributors and dealers in Singapore.
Some dealers observed that sales activity related to the event began before the weekend, as many dealers began teasing special sales. Coincidentally, the number of visitors to his car showroom on Leng Kee Road and Alexandra Road soared after his COE insurance premiums fell by more than 20%.
As a result, there was talk on the show floor that some brands may not have enough inventory left to sell at the show. This could mean that some buyers will have to wait even longer before taking delivery of their new cars, rather than just a few days after the next COE bidding exercise ends on January 17th. There is a gender.
Against the backdrop of a difficult year with high COE insurance premiums and sluggish private car sales, some companies that participated in the 2023 event are absent this time. These include Alpine, Lotus, Peugeot, Skoda and Volkswagen.
The exhibitors’ booth setups may seem less elaborate than in previous years, but there are still some interesting cars and concept models, so it looks like it’s worth getting excited about.
In addition to the exhibition booths, there will also be a car stunt show that has become a specialty of the event.
Here’s a list of cars to keep an eye on, according to The Straits Times’ team of car writers.
Mercedes-Benz Concept EQG
This is the Concept EQG’s debut in Southeast Asia. This hints at what the all-electric production version of the iconic G-Class off-roader will look like when it is unveiled in late 2024.
While the angular silhouette looks similar to previous G-Class and G-Wagon models, the concept also borrows design cues from Mercedes-Benz’s electric models, such as the use of illuminated stripes.
“The EQG embodies the spirit of the original G-Wagon, but with the electrification it deserves for the next generation,” said Lionel Shea, Life Magazine’s auto contributor.
Suzuki Jimny 5 door
Suzuki’s star is a five-door version of the Jimny, which many say has hints of the Mercedes-Benz G-Class. Lengthening the wheelbase and squeezing in additional doors has done little to diminish the appeal of this retro-styled off-roader.
A release date for the car has not yet been announced, but for motoring writer and Straits Times deputy business editor Toh Yong Chuan, the car was a highlight of the show. package. “