In a rare move, one of the world’s leading suppliers of automotive components, Robert Bosch (South East Asia), has voiced its concerns about the Land Transport Authority’s (LTA) move to layer on engine power capacity in the classification of small cars for the Certificate of Entitlement system.
Asking the LTA to “reconsider” the new criterion for Category A cars, the company outlined two “unfavourable outcomes” from the tweak, which was announced on Monday and will be implemented in February.
First, manufacturers and dealers will bring into the market cars with “outdated technologies”, which are less fuel-efficient and will emit more carbon dioxide.
“This is a regressive step towards meeting the Singapore Government’s target of lowering overall carbon emissions by 11 per cent (potentially 16 per cent) by 2020,” Bosch said in a statement.
Second, it argued, manufacturers may try to meet the new 97 kilowatts criterion for cars with engine capacities of 1,600cc by curbing engine power output to pass pre-registration inspection tests. This could be done by encoding a limiter within the engine control unit of the vehicle.
Said Bosch: “This limitation can be easily removed after the vehicle leaves the showroom and is not easily detected during mandatory vehicular checks.”
It added: “Introduction of engine power into the COE system favours old technologies and is detrimental to the quality of life for Singaporeans, as it does not achieve a reduction in emission levels.”
Speaking to TODAY, Mr Klaus Landhaeusser, Bosch’s Regional Head, External Affairs and Governmental Relations (South-east Asia), added that the new regulations may lead to more car owners choosing to illegally modify their cars by leveraging on technology to circumvent the limiter placed in the vehicles.
While there are already laws in place against such illegal modifications, Mr Landhaeusser said tracking the horsepower of a car requires a chassis dynamometer, which regular vehicle inspection companies do not have as engine power inspections are not required in regular vehicle checks.
He said: “This is a very expensive machine and … it is only available in workshops which do the tuning themselves.” Bringing in the chassis dynamo systems will add costs to inspection companies, he added.
When asked why Bosch is concerned about the criterion, Mr Landhaeusser said: “We are developing systems for all car manufacturers, whether it is new or old technologies. We also have a very strong lead when it comes to saving the environment.”
In response, the LTA reiterated that it will be implementing “pre-registration safeguards through its vehicle type approval process”. The authority said it will not approve car models which have maximum power output specification that is lower than the same models approved previously, or what has been declared in other markets.
“This will serve as a deterrent against anyone who tries to tune down the maximum power output of his car to qualify for Cat A,” it added.
TODAY understands that the LTA has also brought in chassis dynamometers for the inspection of vehicle engine power.
On car manufacturers bringing in models which are less environmentally-friendly, the LTA said carbon emissions are already accounted for under the Carbon Emissions-based Vehicle Scheme.
“Carbon emissions and fuel efficiency are not good proxies for the value of a car, and could end up penalising mass-market models,” said an LTA spokesperson. The authority also emphasised that it will “review the criteria every few years and consider if adjustments are necessary”.
Dealers TODAY spoke to felt that most owners will not choose to illegally modify their cars.
Singapore Vehicle Traders Association Honorary Secretary Raymond Tang said: “Most car buyers usually go for luxury or continental cars just for the brand name and the status that comes with it. They are usually not so concerned about engine power.”
Motor Traders Association President Glenn Tan also pointed to liability problems of illegally modifying cars. “If they do that, they void the entire warranty of the vehicle because they are forcing it to work outside the operating perimeters of the vehicle,” he said.
“Also, there is an insurance and product liability problem. If you tune it outside of what is promulgated, the insurance can choose not to cover your vehicle. If you kill somebody, there is criminal liability.
“Whoever tunes it illegally, be it the dealers or the consumers, they will have some hand in criminal liability and they have to bear this in mind as well,” Mr Tan added.
SOURCE
So, the loopholes are covered by LTA. Cars with a different power rating as opposed to the official specs release will not be granted access to Singapore's market. Therefore, the prospect of down tuning car engines will not happen nor help the case.
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