Toyota distributor Borneo quits Motor Traders Association

[Darthrevan]

The Motor Traders Association could soon be the Minor Traders Association if the number of members keeps falling.

The Motor Traders Association of Singapore (MTA) is a grouping of new car distributors and some commercial vehicle dealers.

Its membership has been sliding over the years and the latest to leave its fold is Borneo Motors Singapore (BMS) - the distributor of Toyota, Lexus and Hino - leaving it with 26 members.

With BMS's exit at the end of this month, Singapore's top three brands - Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Toyota, in that order - will not be part of the MTA. Critics now question how MTA can continue to be relevant.

"MTA is supposed to be the voice of new car sellers. What is the point if it does not represent the majority of the industry," asked the director of a brand who left MTA a few years ago.

Based on last year's total vehicle sales of 34,090 units, MTA members accounted for 46 per cent of total market share (this number is made up of 22,472 new cars, 8,128 commercial vehicles and 3,490 taxis).

If BMS sales are excluded, this proportion drops to 32 per cent, or barely a third of the market. Volkswagen will then be the biggest brand left in MTA. Last year, VW was Singapore's No 4 make.

BMS declined to comment when contacted. But there is speculation that its departure is largely symbolic, one that signals its displeasure with the association.

"The annual membership fee is only $1,500, so it's definitely not about the money," said the head of a luxury dealership. "It is probably to make it clear that they do not see the value of MTA membership."

In recent months, some complaints about the MTA included how it appears to champion the causes of only its committee members, and the inability to present members' views and appeals to the government, especially after the recent radical changes to the motor trade, such as the loan curbs and certificate of entitlement tweaks.

The luxury dealership head recalled that when the vehicle financing restrictions were introduced last year in February, the Singapore Vehicles Traders Association, or SVTA, whose members are mainly used car dealers, immediately met to craft an appeal to the government. The result was the lifting of loan curbs for 60 days to allow members to clear their stocks of second-hand vehicles.

But, according to the luxury dealership head, the MTA was reluctant to intercede when approached by some members for help to lobby the government to soften the impact of the loan curbs.

Senior MTA committee members could not be contacted for their views. But one industry veteran defended the MTA.

"To be fair, it does not have an easy time," he said, explaining that this is because MTA members have conflicting interests.

"It is difficult to function as a cohesive organisation because not every brand is impacted by the same issues, such as engine output or emissions," he added. "So there is no unified voice, unlike used car dealers who do not have brand loyalty and can talk about common problems such as policy and financing as a group."

Source: http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/premium/top-stories/toyota-distributor-borneo-quits-motor-traders-body-20140319

[Vhtfhwlego]

MTA cannot resolve for BM how to earn more with raising COE?

[Baal]

Seems to me that mta (esp moving forward) is about as relevant as ntuc.

[Cantina]

Seems to me that mta (esp moving forward) is about as relevant as ntuc.

 

I was thinking CASE.... toothless tiger or a pappy guard dog

[Roh96]

I believe what was cited in the article, there is no unified voice in MTA. Obviously BM and other conti brand dealers have conflicting interest. Breaking apart is a matter of time.

[Baal]

If BMS sales are excluded, this proportion drops to 32 per cent, or barely a third of the market. Volkswagen will then be the biggest brand left in MTA. Last year, VW was Singapore's No 4 make.

 

Game.

[Leo72]

 

Game.

BM of course unhappy that their sales figures keep on dropping as they need to compete with Audi, VW, Merc, BMW those conti cars and also COE with those conti cars.

[Baal]

BM of course unhappy that their sales figures keep on dropping as they need to compete with Audi, VW, Merc, BMW those conti cars and also COE with those conti cars.

But for BM, still see alot of Camry 2.5 & now Altis. Lexus also quite prominent.

If its a symbolic protest vote against the estab from BM, I'm glad they did it.

 

on hindsight, could also see it as BM having a taste of their own medicine.......bidding done by dealers.......

 

so now shark gets bullied by an even larger shark.

Edited March 19, 2014 by Baal

[Naimed]

http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/car-distribution-giant-to-lay-off-120-workers

 

Car distribution giant Inchcape to lay off 120 workers in Singapore

 

About 120 employees from Toyota agent Borneo Motors and Suzuki agent Champion Motors will be retrenched in the coming weeks, in one of the largest downsizing exercises to hit the local motor industry, The Straits Times has learnt.

 

Their parent company, vehicle distribution giant Inchcape, is restructuring its operations here.

 

The cohort represents 12 per cent to 14 per cent of Inchcape's headcount in Singapore.

[Vratenza]

Did they ask MOM for permission?!!? 

 

 

http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/car-distribution-giant-to-lay-off-120-workers

 

Car distribution giant Inchcape to lay off 120 workers in Singapore

 

About 120 employees from Toyota agent Borneo Motors and Suzuki agent Champion Motors will be retrenched in the coming weeks, in one of the largest downsizing exercises to hit the local motor industry, The Straits Times has learnt.

 

Their parent company, vehicle distribution giant Inchcape, is restructuring its operations here.

 

The cohort represents 12 per cent to 14 per cent of Inchcape's headcount in Singapore.

 

[Nostalgia]

http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/car-distribution-giant-to-lay-off-120-workers

 

Car distribution giant Inchcape to lay off 120 workers in Singapore

 

About 120 employees from Toyota agent Borneo Motors and Suzuki agent Champion Motors will be retrenched in the coming weeks, in one of the largest downsizing exercises to hit the local motor industry, The Straits Times has learnt.

 

Their parent company, vehicle distribution giant Inchcape, is restructuring its operations here.

 

The cohort represents 12 per cent to 14 per cent of Inchcape's headcount in Singapore.

 

As the owner of a PI Toyota car, I've been baffled by how BM has continued to coast on Toyota's reputation for reliability from the past (my grandfather owned a Toyota and it was reliable so I shall buy one).  The obvious prioritization of BM's profit margin over providing cars equipped with the latest Toyota technology means that our market has been held hostage to the lack of modern features, lower safety standards, and a poorer driving experience that other 'authorized dealer' Toyota cars elsewhere in the world, at a much higher price.  The reason Toyota Camrys are the highest selling sedan in the US is because of how well equipped and how good a package it is compared to its rivals at a competitive price, not just a reputation for reliability.  

 

Perhaps this would turn the tide and wake senior executives at Inchcape to the fact that they do have to be competitive with features and price as well.  

[Victor68]

http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/car-distribution-giant-to-lay-off-120-workers

 

Car distribution giant Inchcape to lay off 120 workers in Singapore

 

About 120 employees from Toyota agent Borneo Motors and Suzuki agent Champion Motors will be retrenched in the coming weeks, in one of the largest downsizing exercises to hit the local motor industry, The Straits Times has learnt.

 

Their parent company, vehicle distribution giant Inchcape, is restructuring its operations here.

 

The cohort represents 12 per cent to 14 per cent of Inchcape's headcount in Singapore.

Actually they have been squeezing us for a long time but getting greedy and not happy to share with others. always wanted a bigger pie and higher profit.

 

good time to change the landscape. bring in more PI but those that dont run away

[RadX]

Orbi

[Inspiring1804]

Restructuring. Retrenchment. Change of ceo. Pricing also may change. Higher or lower. Quick grab a Toyota now! Lol.

[Matrix0405]

Now, more than ever, is the best time to book your Toyota. 

[Soya]

As the owner of a PI Toyota car, I've been baffled by how BM has continued to coast on Toyota's reputation for reliability from the past (my grandfather owned a Toyota and it was reliable so I shall buy one). The obvious prioritization of BM's profit margin over providing cars equipped with the latest Toyota technology means that our market has been held hostage to the lack of modern features, lower safety standards, and a poorer driving experience that other 'authorized dealer' Toyota cars elsewhere in the world, at a much higher price. The reason Toyota Camrys are the highest selling sedan in the US is because of how well equipped and how good a package it is compared to its rivals at a competitive price, not just a reputation for reliability.

 

Perhaps this would turn the tide and wake senior executives at Inchcape to the fact that they do have to be competitive with features and price as well.

But...but....unker, auntie all say toyota best. Camry lagi bestest. No need safety features coz....well, accidents onli happen to ppl who drive fast conti. Somemore, Thai built quality same same as Japan ok? Just like how we can't tell the difference between Pornsak Sukhumvit and Ken Watanabe....

[Kklee]

Actually they have been squeezing us for a long time but getting greedy and not happy to share with others. always wanted a bigger pie and higher profit.

 

good time to change the landscape. bring in more PI but those that dont run away

 

You make them sound as if they are are a non-profit organisation.

Edited December 30, 2016 by Kklee

[Vratenza]

Some famous local quote: "what is wrong with making more money?"

 

 

Actually they have been squeezing us for a long time but getting greedy and not happy to share with others. always wanted a bigger pie and higher profit.

good time to change the landscape. bring in more PI but those that dont run away