Improving Spare Parts and Repair Industry in Singapore

If data shows anything, it is that more and more individuals and families now prefer to lease or rent rather than purchase cars.  Around a quarter of all car sales for 2014, the highest since 2000, were leased and there is an average 20% increase in all lease and rentals of all major car manufacturers. In Singapore, there is a similar marked underperformance of the auto sector and a significant boost not just in rentals and lease but in 2^nd hand car purchases.  This has bode well for replacement parts and repair centers throughout the City-State.

Costs of Importation, Production, and Distribution

Apparently, car leasing, rentals or second hand purchases have become more practical options instead of traditional mode of purchasing a brand new car. For one, renting leasing or purchasing second hand cars seem to be more economical given due to changing domestic assembly quotas, import and export tariffs and duties for parts and vehicles, gas or diesel preferences, and local custom charges make car importation very costly and this translates to high cost at the market.  The alternative, which is to put up and maintain large assembly factories and distribution channels is even more costly.   

As such rented and leased cars or all 2^nd hand cars for that matter are significantly cheaper. And the upside is that the cost and accessibility of replacement or spare parts have significantly improved due to e-commerce. This has allowed small and medium scale auto repair shops to maintain the quality of used vehicles and more and more of the public seem to trust these services rather than warranties of new cars.

It is no surprise then that auto repair is thriving market in Singapore and other emerging economies. Aside from the quality of aftermarket services, the ability of repair shops to find spare parts and employment of highly skilled technicians capable of servicing a wide array of brands, models and makes have become a major barometer for successful operations.

Spare Parts and Repair Scene in Singapore

In Singapore, brands like Toyota and Mitsubishi, have performed well even in second hand market since they are traditionally known for having readily available spare parts. Recently however, Nissan and Volvo, are slowly showing signs as readily serviceable automobiles. In the recent years, there have been significant improvements in the after services of brand new Nissan cars and an even better rate of part replacement, even for UD Nissan diesel parts, and repair of their second hand units. In the past, Nissan spare parts in Singapore used to be notorious for having hard-to-find parts while Volvo truck spare parts were just as equally troublesome. These spare parts, are now readily available not just in official service and repair centers but in small independent stores and locomotive repair shops that offer other maintenance services such as change oil, engine overhaul,  body works, paint jobs and other car restorative services. 

Aside from rapid replacement of Nissan or Volvo truck spare parts, these shops are also starting to utilize ‘digital’ technologies and competent technicians and are now capable of addressing software issues of newer models.