German Carmakers Diu LTA for Extra Dynamometer Test. SGs to Pay $1k For It!

[Sammyboy RSS Feed]

An honorable member of the Coffee Shop Has Just Posted the Following:

German carmakers: We’re being called liars by LTA

July 29th, 2014 | Author: Editorial





CEO of LTA, Chew Hock Yong. He has held appointments in
the MINDEF, the Ministry of Communications, MHA, MOF, and MCDYS. He was a key
member of the Bid Committee that won the right for Singapore to host the
inaugural YOG in 2010 and played a key role in hosting the Games. He graduated
from the University of Tokyo with a Bachelor of Engineering (Naval Architecture)
and received a Master of Science in Management from Stanford
University.


A new car test required by LTA to verify the engine power of cars before they
can be sold in Singapore is turning into a potential trade issue between
Singapore and Germany.

The media reported today (29 Jul) that German carmakers are raising concerns
with the Singapore Government about the so-called dynamometer test, which the
Germans said runs counter to a proposed free trade agreement (FTA) between
Singapore and the EU.

According to a draft of the EU-Singapore FTA, “Singapore shall accept on its
market as compliant with its domestic technical regulations and conformity
assessment procedures, without further testing or… requirements to verify”
vehicles that have already been approved by EU regulators.

But LTA is imposing the extra dynamometer test to ascertain the power of the
vehicles themselves, even though the carmakers and dealers have already
submitted the specifications of their car models.

Spokesman for the Singapore-German Chamber of Industry and Commerce’s (SGC)
automotive committee Klaus Landhaeusser said, “We don’t understand why this
dynamometer test is necessary.”

He said it will delay the arrival of new cars and add to costs. Each
dynamometer test is expected to cost between $500 and $1,000, and 30 to 40 cars
are expected to be tested each year.

“As businesses, we’re concerned with how the new regulation was introduced,
and what else will come later,” he added.

Mr Jeff Mannering, managing director of Audi Singapore, which is a member of
the SGC, said, “Basically, we’re being called liars.”

Members of SGC and a senior German government official are in talks with MTI.
However, MTI pushed the matter to MOT and MOT to LTA.

Mr Landhaeusser said, “(Trade and Industry) Minister Lim (Hng Kiang) was very
supportive. He referred us to the Ministry of Transport, which told us the Land
Transport Authority (LTA) will get back to us on this.”

MTI told the media that the engine power verification requirement “is
consistent with Singapore’s FTA obligations”.

Dynamometer test may affect budget cars

In June, LTA announced that cars meant to be classified under the Category A
certificate of entitlement (COE) will need to be tested to verify the engine
power outputs declared by their manufacturers.

From October, cars producing between 81kW and 97kW in engine power will have
to undergo Dynamometer test to ascertain their power.

The current Category A classification states that besides a 1,600cc cap on
engine size, cars in Category A must not produce more than 97kW.

Some budget car dealers are worried that their cars may be classified as
premium models (Category B) after going through the test. This will affect the
selling prices of budget cars since a Category B COE is usually pricier than the
Category A one.

The budget car dealers are worried because their engine power output is close
to the 97kW cap. Category A cars whose engine power is close to 97kW
include:

• Kia Forte K3
  
• Hyundai Elantra
  
• Hyundai i30
  
• Toyota Corolla Altis
  
• Honda Civic
  
• Honda Jazz
  
• Ford Focus
  
• Volkswagen Jetta

LTA instituted the test after some premium European car models, including
Mercedes, brought in by dealers produced slightly less than 97kW. The dealers
were attempting to circumvent the Category A’s power regulation so as to get
these premium models qualify for Category A.

This is the first time that vehicle data has been challenged this way. As a
result, it will take up to four months before a new model can be approved for
sale – against one to four weeks previously.

Car dealers described the move as “disruptive”, “arbitrary” and “unilateral”.
They also warned that some budget cars might fail to meet the power cap and
would thus be placed in Category B. This would nullify efforts to separate
budget cars from premium ones.

One car dealer said, “How did we end up in this blind alley? We all gave
feedback that engine power was not a suitable criterion, and now, we’re trying
to find fixes.”

Dealers said the process would also raise operating costs, as cars would
spend more time in storage before they could be sold. Moreover, there is still
the cost of the dynamometer test which will definitely be passed on to the
consumers in the end.

Others said that the dynamometer test results could vary depending on the
type of fuel, tyres, wheels and gearbox. Even the air temperature and how warmed
up the engine is can affect the test results. Thus, for budget cars whose engine
power is close to 97kW, they may fail the Category A’s power regulation during
the tests.

With regard to LTA’s move to test the power of cars, TRE readers commented
(‘LTA’s
criterion for categorising cars deeply flawed‘):


OMV should be used: Stupid to use power to categorise
cars. If the objective is to put the more pricey continental cars or larger cars
in Cat B then it is best to use OMV categorise cars.

LIONS: LTA – LAME TRANSPORT AGENCY thinks too highly of
itself. The MIWs there are no more smarter than those in other
agencies?

Useless & hippocrate: This lta has the worst
attitude workers inside where all Engineer/managers always trying to suck
citizens dry when they can to show their boss how much they are worth. Infact
they are useless and worst ppl you can find. What euro 1 to 4 then 5 then 6. All
craps design to come up but infact we know all cars/trucks etc still giving
black smoke like them. What coe la, also another crap when all road also jams by
now.

VOTE out the TOXIC PAP please!: These are the sort of
super talents and EXTREME brains the letter is directing his comments too. And
mind you USELESS PAP policies are subjected to changes and changes, which they
CALLED as fine tunings or refinements.

leveller: Who is in charge of LTA = Liu TUCK Yew,Liu
should TUCK all his useless forkers in LTA those drawing a huge salary &
contribution nothing of economic value but causing & adding to the high
costs of owning vehicles in Singapore!

Nabeh: Only people as goondu as Lui and his schoolars in
LTA have not heard of after-market engine enhancement and engine tuning. This
new scheme will encourage car manufacturers to dump their less efficient and
more pollutive engines and components on the Singapore market. No wonder Lui got
chased away from the Moulmein condo like a ***** *** during the last GE.



Click here to view the whole thread at www.sammyboy.com.