SPEECH BY MR CHIA YONG SIAN, PRESIDENT, MOTOR TRADERS ASSOCIATION OF SINGAPORE (MTA), AT THE OPENING OF SINGAPORE MOTORSHOW 2006 AT SUNTEC SINGAPORE ON 10 NOVEMBER 2006

Mr Raymond Lim, the Minister for Transport and Second Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Hiroyuki Nakamura, Director General of the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association, Mr Phoon Ah Sow, President of the Singapore Motor Cycle Trade Association, Your Excellencies, Guests from ASEAN automotive federation Fellow MTA members, Members of the Local and Foreign Media, Distinguished guests, Ladies and Gentlemen

On behalf of the Motor Traders Association of Singapore, I would like to extend a warm welcome to all of you for joining us this morning at the opening ceremony of the 8th Singapore Motor show. Firstly, I would like to thank Mr Raymond Lim, Minister for Transport and Second Minister for Foreign Affairs for taking time off your busy schedule to grace the occasion today. It is our great honour indeed. I would also like to thank all our MTA members, local media and participants, as well as friends from abroad, including key industry representatives and media from the region, for coming to Singapore to attend this momentous occasion. This year’s Motorshow is very special as it is the eighth time the show is being held. To the local community, ‘8’ is always an auspicious number. It symbolises success, prosperity and growth.

Success The Singapore Motorshow had made remarkable progress since its debut in 1992 at IMM building. Over the past fourteen years, the show has grown

1 significantly in stature to become the premier motoring event of the region. Today it is the platform of choice for international players, well-known auto manufacturers and suppliers to launch or showcase their new models, latest concept , and other product innovations. Convinced that the Singapore Motorshow is one of the most significant brand-building events on the regional automotive calendar, exhibitors have been pumping in substantial amount of resources to put up the best displays and create the most unique brand experiences for visitors. As a result, visitor numbers has also grown considerably, with the last show recording 150,000 local and regional visitors.

A key factor driving the success of Singapore Motorshow has been the strong support from MTA members. Without them, this show not be what it is today. I salute their commitment and passionate support throughout all these years!

Blessings Secondly, the number ‘8’ symbolises the many blessings that the Singapore Motorshow 2006 has received. We do not forget local exhibitors and foreign supporters that have become part of the show as well. At this point, I would also like to express thanks to Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association and the Singapore Motor Cycle Trade Association for extending their unstinting support towards the show for many years. We hope such close relationship will continue for the future.

The Motorshow this year has also attracted the support of OCBC Bank as the official bank, AIG SE Asia as the official motor insurance, SPC (Singapore Petroleum Company) as the official oil company and MediaCorp TV 8 as the official TV station. I would also like to highlight that this year we have many new exhibitors including Chrysler, Dodge, Geely, Fiat, Jeep, Lifan, Mitsuoka, , Perodua, Skoda and TD2000. In addition, some of the past exhibitors have also increased the size of their booths by a few folds. I would like to thank every one for being part of Singapore Motorshow 2006. Your strong support indicates the

2 great significance the industry attaches to the Motorshow, and this in turn drives us to deliver an outstanding show for the public and consumers.

We have many Highlights for this year to make it one of the most exciting shows ever. Visitors will find themselves in for a special treat, as they can see an impressive line-up of displays from first-in-Asia appearances of world-class concept cars and formula race cars to launches of new models and innovative auto accessories. Building on the global concern on environmental pollution, this year’s show will have on display the latest of environmental friendly cars to engage the interest of the public and to support the government’s drive towards use of ‘green’ vehicles.

Another crowd puller of the exhibition is the Rinspeed’s ‘zaZen’ - a powerful concept car that promises to mark the beginning of a new era in lighting technology in vehicle design. I am pleased to inform that this innovative, one-of- its-kind masterpiece will be on display here for the first time in Asia, since its world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show in February 2006.

In all, there is something for everyone at the motor show. Whether you are a motoring enthusiast or a regular driver, a working executive or a student, you will have a dazzling and fulfilling experience once you walk through the doors of our exhibition halls at levels 4 and 6 of Suntec Singapore during the Motorshow.

Growth Lastly, we hope that the 8th Motor show will spark the catalyst for sustain growth and prosperity of the local automotive industry.

Indeed, the current market conditions for car sales are most favourable with more COEs, affordable COE premiums, record high employment rate and a dynamic economic growth. For the first 10 months of this year, there are 97,201 new car registrations. This is an increase of 7% as compared to the corresponding period

3 last year (91,133 cars). Looking forward, the year is expected to end with the highest record of car registrations in Singapore’s history.

To support industry growth, MTA will continue to commit itself to work closely with the local industry to innovate and value add to make every Singapore Motorshow better than the last for the benefits of all stakeholders. Although the show only takes place once in every two years, it has played an important role in seeding many business opportunities and injecting dynamism into the local and regional automotive industry over the years. We are confident that the show will grow from strength to strength and catalyse Singapore’s growth into a regional auto hub for international industry players, auto manufacturers and suppliers. This will translate into more employment opportunities for all Singaporeans on the macro level.

On this note, I would like to express sincere appreciation once again to the Minister for being here with us today. I would also like to thank everyone else involved in Singapore Motorshow 2006 for making the show a success.

We certainly look forward to a very successful and rewarding event for all over the next nine days.

Thank you.

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