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by Sean Loo 5 June 2026
Wang Yao and Christer Tan
Featured, Lifestyle, People

AutoTalk – Wang Yao and Christer Tan on Bringing Hongqi’s Vision of Chinese Luxury to Singapore

For decades, Hongqi has occupied a unique position within China's automotive landscape. Often regarded as the nation's most prestigious automotive marque, the brand has long been associated with state occasions, national heritage and a distinctly Chinese interpretation of luxury. Now, Hongqi is charting a new course beyond its home market. With the official opening of its Singapore showroom and the launch of its first right-hand-drive vehicles, the Chinese luxury manufacturer has selected Singapore ...

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by Sean Loo 5 June 2026
Marcel Luis Mustelier Perez
Featured, Lifestyle, People

AutoTalk – Marcel Luis Mustelier Perez, President & CEO of Mercedes-Benz Singapore

As the Singapore automotive industry undergoes one of its most significant transformations in history, Mercedes-Benz is preparing for one of the largest product offensives the company has ever undertaken. For Mercedes-Benz Singapore, the coming years will see a substantial expansion of both its combustion-engine and electric vehicle line-up, accompanied by new digital technologies, upgraded customer touchpoints and a renewed emphasis on ownership experiences. Leading this charge is Marcel Luis Mustelier Perez, President ...

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by Joel Tam 25 May 2026
Featured, Lifestyle, People

AutoTalk – Rene Gerhard, Managing Director of BMW Group Asia

There’s something unexpectedly refreshing about speaking to Rene Gerhard. You sit down expecting another carefully polished corporate interview about electrification, premium mobility and the future of the automotive industry. Within minutes, the conversation drifts into Iron Maiden concerts, USB sticks full of ripped CDs, dogs, family memories, old BMWs and why he still refuses to stream music. He may be decked out in a suit, but Gerhard already feels less like ...

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by Joel Tam 13 April 2026
Featured, Lifestyle, People, Tyres

AutoTalk – Chen Ting (Thilo) on Focus, Ecosystems and the Future of Pirelli in Southeast Asia

When Thilo moved from China to Singapore in August 2025 to take up the role of Managing Director for Pirelli Asia Pte Ltd, he did not arrive with a grand plan about scale or domination. Instead, he spoke about focus. About ecosystems. About long-term trust. With 25 years in the automotive industry and a front-row seat to China’s explosive growth across SUVs, EVs and autonomous technology, Thilo brings both realism and conviction ...

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by Joel Tam 2 April 2026
Featured, Lifestyle, People, Tech

AutoTalk – A Conversation on Design, Technology and the Future of Driving

There’s a moment when you stand in front of the new BMW i3, and suddenly, everything just clicks. No, not in a dramatic way. More like a quiet realisation that something has definitely shifted. The proportions feel right, the tech feels intentional, and somehow, despite everything being new, it still feels like a BMW. Over conversations with Norman Wiebking, Stephan Durach and Oliver Heilmer, it becomes clear that this wasn’t accidental. Getting the ...

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by Joel Tam 20 March 2026
Featured, Lifestyle, People

AutoTalk – Nils Hesse, VP Product Sustainability of BMW

The unseen part of BMW’s Neue Klasse: Why sustainability starts before the car exists When BMW talks about the Neue Klasse, the conversation usually leans towards the obvious. Range, charging speeds, performance, and digital interfaces. The things you can see, measure, and compare. But after speaking with Nils Hesse, BMW’s Vice President for Product Sustainability, it became clear that the more interesting story begins much earlier than that. Before the car is designed. ...

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by Sean Loo 20 February 2026
Toyota BZ4X
Featured, Lifestyle, People

Japanese NEVs Expand Consumer Choice as Singapore’s EV Market Enters a More Competitive Phase

Singapore’s electrified vehicle market has moved swiftly from early adoption to rapid mainstreaming, with Chinese brands playing a prominent role in accelerating battery-electric uptake. However, industry leaders expect the next stage to be defined by wider diversification, driven by established automakers broadening their electrified portfolios and strengthening long-term ownership support. Phil Jenkins, CEO, APAC of Inchcape Ng Khee Siong, Managing Director of Inchcape Singapore At the Singapore Motorshow 2026, Inchcape unveiled six new New ...

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by Sean Loo 4 February 2026
James Ng, Managing Director of BYD Singapore
Featured, Lifestyle, People

AutoTalk – BYD Singapore Builds on a Breakthrough 2025, Sets Sights on Broader Electrification and Stronger Customer Touchpoints

BYD Singapore ended 2025 at the top of the sales charts, achieving a record number of car sales despite steepening prices and an ever-competitive vehicular landscape. This milestone illustrates just how quickly the Singapore car market has embraced electrification and how decisively BYD has positioned itself within that shift. To understand more about how BYD plans to continue this impressive momentum, we sat down with Mr James Ng, Managing Director of BYD ...

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by Sean Loo 13 May 2025
Martin Bayer
Featured, Lifestyle, People

AutoTalk – Martin Bayer. MD, Audi Singapore

Recently taking the helm as Managing Director at Audi Singapore, Martin Bayer brings with him a wealth of experience and fresh insights. With Audi ushering in a new era marked by electrification and direct consumer engagement, leadership becomes ever more critical. We recently had the opportunity to speak with Martin Bayer, Managing Director at Audi Singapore, for a brief yet insightful conversation, where he shared his reflections on his initial months in ...

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by Sean Loo 25 April 2025
Katya Zavialova
Featured, Lifestyle, People

AutoTalk – A Conversation with Katya Zavialova, Operations Director of Lotus Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa

The automotive landscape is rapidly evolving, with electrification becoming the focal point of innovation and sustainability. Few brands navigate this shift as compellingly as Lotus, renowned for their heritage in driving dynamics and performance. To understand how Lotus is managing its strategic transition from petrol-powered icons to cutting-edge electric vehicles, we had the pleasure of sitting down with Katya Zavialova, Operations Director for Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, for an ...

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by Sean Loo 31 March 2025
Mr Liu Xueliang
Featured, Lifestyle, People

AutoTalk – A Conversation with Liu Xueliang, General Manager of BYD Asia Pacific Auto Sales Division

As the automotive world increasingly pivots toward electrification, few brands have captured attention as swiftly and impressively as BYD. With significant expansion across Asia, including a robust presence in Singapore, BYD is transforming urban mobility and sustainability. To gain insights on BYD's rapid ascent, upcoming technologies, and its vision for electric vehicles (EVs), we sat down with Mr Liu Xueliang, General Manager of BYD's Asia Pacific Auto Sales Division to learn more ...

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