Parc Esta, formerly known as Eunosville, a HUDC estate that has been the prime residential location along Sims Avenue and Changi Road, under the developer MCL Land, who acquired it in a collective sale exceeding $750 million, towards the end of 2017. The former residents have been at an advantage with this, having gotten a whopping 19% increase in their demanding price during the sale.
Parc Esta is in a well-established estate with an area spanning more than 350,000 square feet. Very conveniently, it is located in the Eastern Region of Singapore. Being one of the largest residential sites in its Eunos, Parc Esta can approximately yield 1400 residential units
As for the en-bloc price, it is approximately between $909 per square foot per plot ratio. This also includes a premium of approximately $194 million. Assuming that the company aims for a target profit margin of 10%, the average selling price of Parc Esta should land somewhere between $1500 to $1600 per square foot.
PARC ESTA MCL
Parc Esta Condo developer MCL Land is one of the leading property groups within Singapore. This is thanks to their explicitly maintained legacy of over 50 years, where the company and all its employees compromise at nothing in delivering quality residential solutions to the citizens of Singapore. Officially a member of the Jardine Matheson Group under the Hong Kong Land Holdings, the premium residential company not just operates locally, but internationally as well, building quality homes and apartments in Malaysia. Their vision is simple and clear; to be a premier and reputable property group, leading all its competitors through innovative solutions in providing its customers just what they need at the best value for money.
Parc Esta Projects
With successful launches for residential apartments over the past four years, MCL Land is the force behind J Gateway, Lake Grande, Sol Acres, Terrasse as well as Lake Ville. Having established their name with these projects that are not just a success in the property industry, but also widely popular within the public, it leaves little doubt in the minds of potential residents and investors about the success of Parc Esta in Eunos.
Parc Esta condo’s Proximity to public transport especially the MRT will literally gives an value-added advantages to any properties and Parc Esta beautifully succeed that due to its perfect location giving its potential residents multiple options for travel. With only a 200 meter walk to the nearest Eunos MRT station, residents can access the entire East-West Line (EWL) in Singapore. The abovementioned MRT station is also only six stops to the City Hall, and only five stops away from the Changi Airport. Residents of Parc Esta can also conveniently travel to the Central Business District, City Centre Marina Bay and Marina South.
Parc Esta At Its Convenient
Parc Esta’s convenient central location is only 1 MRT stop away from Paya Lebar and Paya Lebar is a upcoming new developing commercial hub, where the future retail and commercials lie. Parc Esta is also only two stations away from Bedok MRT, where the residents have wider shopping options at the Bedok Mall.
It is also interesting to note that the Eunos MRT Station, only a walk away from Parc Esta, is also joined by a bus interchange serving the needs of immediate localities at even shorter time intervals. Within 6 stops of the Eunos MRT station, one can find the most traveled-to locations including office complexes like the Changi Business Park, Expo and Changi City, relaxing facilities like the Kallang Sport Hub, as well as the nearby town of Bugis.
Parc Esta is also near to PIE (Pan Island Expressway) as well where it is well-connected to all of Singapore.
PARC ESTA NEIGHBOURING
Just a short drive away from Parc Esta lies the popular East Coast Road where catering to the needs of residents and visitors alike, are a supermarket, F&B outlets, and shops serving items of different varieties. As an alternative to that, residents may also take another short drive from Parc Esta towards the Marine Parade Town Centre which can easily be called the heartland of food, market and retails.
The area is also home to the very popular among residents, Parkway Parade Shopping Centre, which is always bustling with shoppers going about their business at any given hour of the day. Apart from shops and retail, this huge shopping center in 112 Katong also has a very good variety of dining and entertainment options available. Other than these, Parc Esta is just a minute’s worth of drive away from many local and popular eateries serving the food cravings of residents.
PARC ESTA
For people who are particularly fond of outdoor activities, Parc Esta official remains to be of particular interest. Residents get to live within proximity of the Kallang Riverside Park as well as the East Coast Park. These parks are not only suitable for children and families, but also for the individual looking to enjoy water sports, jogging, or a simple cycling path inside.
Residents can also avail the membership of many different clubs that are located in the vicinity. These include Geylang Stadium, Badminton Hall, Kallang Squash and Tennis Centre, Kallang Netball Centre, Singapore Swimming Club, Singapore Cricket Association, along with the PWD Sports Club. As mentioned earlier, with the closely located MRT stations, the residents can also easily access the Singapore Sports Hub.
PARC ESTA – SCHOOLS AND EDUCATION
With its central and ideal location, Parc Esta is very near to the Eunos Primary School, as well as the Haig Girls School. Being a commodity that families living in apartments tend to have children of the young age bracket, Parc Esta is also in close proximity of Tanjong Katong Primary School, CHIJ Primary School, as well as the Telok Kurau Primary School. Among others, another fresh additions are the Canadian International School and Chatsworth International School providing international standard education.
Sunday, April 21, 2019
Thursday, April 18, 2019
SINGAPORE - Certificate of entitlement (COE) prices continued to surge at the latest tender on Wednesday (April 17), with all categories ending noticeably higher except for motorcycles.
COE premiums for cars up to 1,600cc and 130bhp finished at $33,199, up from $29,159 two weeks ago. COE prices for cars above 1,600cc or 130bhp closed at $48,000, up from $43,102.
Premiums for Open COE, which can be used for any vehicle type except motorcycles but ends up mostly for bigger cars, finished at $52,410, up from $48,209.
Commercial vehicle COE prices closed at $32,001, up from $27,589. Motorcycle COE premiums bucked the uptrend by ending at $3,452, down from $3,501.
The surge followed an unexpected rise in COEs for bigger cars in the previous tender, which was attributed to new demand from private-hire players.
"The market is actually quite weak," said one major motor trader. "The showrooms have been very quiet in recent months."
Mr Ron Lim, head of sales and marketing at Nissan agent Tan Chong Motor, said “the market has slowed down significantly after the price increase from last round of COE price hike, so we can conclude safely the latest rise has nothing to do with retail demand”.
Still, Mr Lim said Wednesday’s results is also driven by “a classic case of panic bidding” on the back of “speculation over the extent of the next COE quota cut”.
Going by available data to date, the supply of COEs for the May-July period may shrink by as much as 20 per cent.
Mr Lim added that he hopes “some sanity will return after the actual quota is released”, but cautioned that there are “headwinds”, including a three-week break before the next tender exercise (allowing sellers to collect more orders), and the upcoming Car@Expo retail event, which would also typically lead to more orders.
COE premiums for cars up to 1,600cc and 130bhp finished at $33,199, up from $29,159 two weeks ago. COE prices for cars above 1,600cc or 130bhp closed at $48,000, up from $43,102.
Premiums for Open COE, which can be used for any vehicle type except motorcycles but ends up mostly for bigger cars, finished at $52,410, up from $48,209.
Commercial vehicle COE prices closed at $32,001, up from $27,589. Motorcycle COE premiums bucked the uptrend by ending at $3,452, down from $3,501.
The surge followed an unexpected rise in COEs for bigger cars in the previous tender, which was attributed to new demand from private-hire players.
"The market is actually quite weak," said one major motor trader. "The showrooms have been very quiet in recent months."
Mr Ron Lim, head of sales and marketing at Nissan agent Tan Chong Motor, said “the market has slowed down significantly after the price increase from last round of COE price hike, so we can conclude safely the latest rise has nothing to do with retail demand”.
Still, Mr Lim said Wednesday’s results is also driven by “a classic case of panic bidding” on the back of “speculation over the extent of the next COE quota cut”.
Going by available data to date, the supply of COEs for the May-July period may shrink by as much as 20 per cent.
Mr Lim added that he hopes “some sanity will return after the actual quota is released”, but cautioned that there are “headwinds”, including a three-week break before the next tender exercise (allowing sellers to collect more orders), and the upcoming Car@Expo retail event, which would also typically lead to more orders.
Wednesday, April 3, 2019
Apr 3 - COE Prices
SINGAPORE: Certificate of Entitlement (COE) premiums closed higher in the latest bidding exercise on Wednesday (Apr 3).
For Category A cars, or those 1,600cc and below with horsepower not exceeding 130bhp, premiums closed at S$29,159, up from S$26,659 in the last exercise.
Premiums for larger and more powerful cars in Category B rose to S$43,102 from S$39,401.
COEs for commercial vehicles, which include goods vehicles and buses, rose to S$27,589 from S$27,021 in the previous bidding exercise.
Motorcycle premiums closed at S$3,501, up from S$3,469 in the last exercise.
Open category COEs, which can be used for any vehicle type but end up being used mainly for large cars, rose to S$48,209 from S$41,000.
A total of 6,392 bids were received, with a quota of 4,396 COEs available.
For Category A cars, or those 1,600cc and below with horsepower not exceeding 130bhp, premiums closed at S$29,159, up from S$26,659 in the last exercise.
Premiums for larger and more powerful cars in Category B rose to S$43,102 from S$39,401.
COEs for commercial vehicles, which include goods vehicles and buses, rose to S$27,589 from S$27,021 in the previous bidding exercise.
Motorcycle premiums closed at S$3,501, up from S$3,469 in the last exercise.
Open category COEs, which can be used for any vehicle type but end up being used mainly for large cars, rose to S$48,209 from S$41,000.
A total of 6,392 bids were received, with a quota of 4,396 COEs available.
Wednesday, March 27, 2019
Just Before The Great Recession, Mountains Of Unsold Goods Piled Up In U.S. Warehouses – And Now It Is Happening Again
When economic conditions initially begin to slow down, businesses continue to order goods like they normally would but those goods don’t sell as quickly as they previously did. As a result, inventory levels begin to rise, and that is precisely what is happening right now. In fact, the U.S. inventory to sales ratio has risen sharply for five months in a row. This is mirroring the pattern that we witnessed just prior to the financial crisis of 2008, and it is exactly what we would expect to see if a new recession was now beginning. In recent weeks, I have been sharing number after number that indicates that a serious economic slowdown is upon us, and many believe that what is coming will eventually be even worse than what we experienced in 2008.
And even though I write about this stuff every day, I was stunned by how rapidly inventory levels have been rising recently. The following numbers come from Peter Schiff’s website…
This comes on the heels of the largest gain in wholesale inventories in more than five years in December.
Inventories rose 7.7% from a year ago in January. Meanwhile, sales only rose by 2.7%. Overall, total inventories were $669.9 billion at the end of January, up 1.2% from the revised December level.
The increase in durable goods inventories at the wholesale level was even starker. These inventories were up 11.7% from January a year ago, and are up 17% from January two years ago, hitting $415 billion, the highest ever.
Businesses don’t like to have excess inventory, because carrying excess inventory is expensive and cuts into profits. So they try very hard to manage their inventories efficiently, but if the economy slows down unexpectedly that can catch them off guard…
There are few indications of economic slowing that are more convincing than an unwanted build in inventories — and that apparently is what’s underway in the wholesale sector.
When inventory levels get too high, businesses often start reducing the amount of stuff they are ordering from manufacturers.
So we would expect the numbers to indicate that manufacturing output is down, and that is precisely what we have witnessed over the last couple of months…
U.S. manufacturing output fell for a second straight month in February and factory activity in New York state hit nearly a two-year low this month, offering further evidence of a sharp slowdown in economic growth early in the first quarter.
If manufacturers are making and sending less stuff to businesses, and if businesses are selling less stuff to their customers, then we would expect to see less stuff moved around the U.S. by truck, rail and air.
And wouldn’t you know it, the numbers also tell us that this has been happening too. The following comes from Wolf Richter…
Now it’s the third month in a row, and the red flag is getting more visible and a little harder to ignore about the goods-based economy: Freight shipment volume in the US across all modes of transportation – truck, rail, air, and barge – in February fell 2.1% from February a year ago, according to the Cass Freight Index, released today. The three months in a row of year-over-year declines are the first such declines since the transportation recession of 2015 and 2016.
So there you have it. Anyone that tries to tell you that the U.S. economy is “booming” is simply not being accurate.
And when you throw in the fact that we just witnessed one of the worst disasters for U.S. agriculture in all of U.S. history, it is easy to understand why the economic outlook for the remainder of 2019 is rather bleak. One agribusiness company just announced that it will have “a negative pretax operating profit impact of $50 million to $60 million for the first quarter” as a result of all the flooding…
Already suffering from low crop prices and the U.S.-China trade war, Mother Nature has delivered yet another blow to the beleaguered American farmer. Growers in the heartland this year have seen arctic cold blasts, been blanketed by snow and just in the last week were inundated by floods. Archer-Daniels-Midland Co., one of the world’s biggest agribusinesses, said Monday that it expects weather disruptions to have a negative pretax operating profit impact of $50 million to $60 million for the first quarter.
Korth said he fears the worst for local farmers, citing a friend who lost 85 cows to flooding and another who sells seeds and has already seen order cancellations.
“It’s going to put a lot of people out of business,” Korth said. “It’s just a terrible deal.”
Unfortunately, the flooding in the middle portion of the country is just getting started. According to the National Weather Service, we are going to see more catastrophic flooding for the next two months.
As you can see, the elements for a “perfect storm” are definitely coming together, and I encourage everyone to get prepared for rough times ahead.
But many people are not that concerned about a new crisis, because they remember that global central banks were able to pull us out of the fire last time around.
Unfortunately, they may not be able to do it this time. Just consider the words of the deputy director of the IMF…
Major financial institutions may be powerless to prevent the next global economic downturn from tuning into a full-blow recession, the International Monetary Fund has warned.
In a speech on the future of the eurozone, the IMF’s deputy director David Lipton, warned of the depleted power of central banks and governments to combat another sharp economic shock.
“The bottom line is this: the tools used to confront the global financial crisis may not be available or may not be as potent next time” he said.
But I am sure that global central banks will try to patch the system back together again, and at certain moments it may even look like they are having some success.
In the end, however, they will not be able to stop the “Bubble To End All Bubbles” from completely bursting.
It has taken decades of exceedingly foolish decisions to get us to this point, and there is simply no way that we can avoid the day of reckoning that is coming.
And even though I write about this stuff every day, I was stunned by how rapidly inventory levels have been rising recently. The following numbers come from Peter Schiff’s website…
This comes on the heels of the largest gain in wholesale inventories in more than five years in December.
Inventories rose 7.7% from a year ago in January. Meanwhile, sales only rose by 2.7%. Overall, total inventories were $669.9 billion at the end of January, up 1.2% from the revised December level.
The increase in durable goods inventories at the wholesale level was even starker. These inventories were up 11.7% from January a year ago, and are up 17% from January two years ago, hitting $415 billion, the highest ever.
Businesses don’t like to have excess inventory, because carrying excess inventory is expensive and cuts into profits. So they try very hard to manage their inventories efficiently, but if the economy slows down unexpectedly that can catch them off guard…
There are few indications of economic slowing that are more convincing than an unwanted build in inventories — and that apparently is what’s underway in the wholesale sector.
When inventory levels get too high, businesses often start reducing the amount of stuff they are ordering from manufacturers.
So we would expect the numbers to indicate that manufacturing output is down, and that is precisely what we have witnessed over the last couple of months…
U.S. manufacturing output fell for a second straight month in February and factory activity in New York state hit nearly a two-year low this month, offering further evidence of a sharp slowdown in economic growth early in the first quarter.
If manufacturers are making and sending less stuff to businesses, and if businesses are selling less stuff to their customers, then we would expect to see less stuff moved around the U.S. by truck, rail and air.
And wouldn’t you know it, the numbers also tell us that this has been happening too. The following comes from Wolf Richter…
Now it’s the third month in a row, and the red flag is getting more visible and a little harder to ignore about the goods-based economy: Freight shipment volume in the US across all modes of transportation – truck, rail, air, and barge – in February fell 2.1% from February a year ago, according to the Cass Freight Index, released today. The three months in a row of year-over-year declines are the first such declines since the transportation recession of 2015 and 2016.
So there you have it. Anyone that tries to tell you that the U.S. economy is “booming” is simply not being accurate.
And when you throw in the fact that we just witnessed one of the worst disasters for U.S. agriculture in all of U.S. history, it is easy to understand why the economic outlook for the remainder of 2019 is rather bleak. One agribusiness company just announced that it will have “a negative pretax operating profit impact of $50 million to $60 million for the first quarter” as a result of all the flooding…
Already suffering from low crop prices and the U.S.-China trade war, Mother Nature has delivered yet another blow to the beleaguered American farmer. Growers in the heartland this year have seen arctic cold blasts, been blanketed by snow and just in the last week were inundated by floods. Archer-Daniels-Midland Co., one of the world’s biggest agribusinesses, said Monday that it expects weather disruptions to have a negative pretax operating profit impact of $50 million to $60 million for the first quarter.
Korth said he fears the worst for local farmers, citing a friend who lost 85 cows to flooding and another who sells seeds and has already seen order cancellations.
“It’s going to put a lot of people out of business,” Korth said. “It’s just a terrible deal.”
Unfortunately, the flooding in the middle portion of the country is just getting started. According to the National Weather Service, we are going to see more catastrophic flooding for the next two months.
As you can see, the elements for a “perfect storm” are definitely coming together, and I encourage everyone to get prepared for rough times ahead.
But many people are not that concerned about a new crisis, because they remember that global central banks were able to pull us out of the fire last time around.
Unfortunately, they may not be able to do it this time. Just consider the words of the deputy director of the IMF…
Major financial institutions may be powerless to prevent the next global economic downturn from tuning into a full-blow recession, the International Monetary Fund has warned.
In a speech on the future of the eurozone, the IMF’s deputy director David Lipton, warned of the depleted power of central banks and governments to combat another sharp economic shock.
“The bottom line is this: the tools used to confront the global financial crisis may not be available or may not be as potent next time” he said.
But I am sure that global central banks will try to patch the system back together again, and at certain moments it may even look like they are having some success.
In the end, however, they will not be able to stop the “Bubble To End All Bubbles” from completely bursting.
It has taken decades of exceedingly foolish decisions to get us to this point, and there is simply no way that we can avoid the day of reckoning that is coming.
Sunday, March 17, 2019
Special Preview: Samsung Soul
The Soul Within
The U900 or preferably known as the Soul was heavily promoted as part of a major advertising campaign initiated by none other than its maker, Samsung and unveiled in spectacular fashion at the recent Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain. As we found out, the Soul is Samsung's flagship model for 2008, so it's quite understandable why the Korean giant has placed so much focus on this handset. If you're intrigued by the origins of the Soul's name, here's a little background information:
Soul was named to honor the completion of its successful "Ultra Edition" series.
Soul is an abbreviation of "The Spirit Of Ultra".
The U900 or preferably known as the Soul was heavily promoted as part of a major advertising campaign initiated by none other than its maker, Samsung and unveiled in spectacular fashion at the recent Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain. As we found out, the Soul is Samsung's flagship model for 2008, so it's quite understandable why the Korean giant has placed so much focus on this handset. If you're intrigued by the origins of the Soul's name, here's a little background information:
Soul was named to honor the completion of its successful "Ultra Edition" series.
Soul is an abbreviation of "The Spirit Of Ultra".
Wednesday, March 6, 2019
Grab, Gojek seen pushing COEs up
SINGAPORE - Certificate of entitlement (COE) prices ended mostly higher, with premiums for four-wheelers creeping up slightly and prices for two-wheelers dipping.
The COE price for cars up to 1,600cc and 130bhp closed at $26,309, up from $26,301 two weeks ago. The premium for cars above 1,600cc or 130bhp finished at $36,961, up from $35,403.
The price for the Open COE, which can be used for any vehicle type but ends up mostly for bigger cars, closed at $37,620, up from $36,667.
The commercial vehicle COE price ended at $27,010, up from $26,914.
Motorcycle premium bucked the trend by closing at $3,602, down from $3,689.
Car dealers point to the return of parallel importers and private-hire players for the car premiums trekking northwards.
Both Gojek and Grab are seen to be expanding their fleets, even as thousands of cars previously with Uber's Lion City Rentals remain unhired.
LATEST COE RESULTS:
Category Current COE premium ($) Previous COE premium ($)
A - Car (1,600cc & below) 26,309 26,301
B - Car (above 1,600cc) 36,961 35,403
C - Goods vehicle & bus 27,010 26,914
D - Motorcycle 3,602 3,689
E - Open 37,620 36,667
The COE price for cars up to 1,600cc and 130bhp closed at $26,309, up from $26,301 two weeks ago. The premium for cars above 1,600cc or 130bhp finished at $36,961, up from $35,403.
The price for the Open COE, which can be used for any vehicle type but ends up mostly for bigger cars, closed at $37,620, up from $36,667.
The commercial vehicle COE price ended at $27,010, up from $26,914.
Motorcycle premium bucked the trend by closing at $3,602, down from $3,689.
Car dealers point to the return of parallel importers and private-hire players for the car premiums trekking northwards.
Both Gojek and Grab are seen to be expanding their fleets, even as thousands of cars previously with Uber's Lion City Rentals remain unhired.
LATEST COE RESULTS:
Category Current COE premium ($) Previous COE premium ($)
A - Car (1,600cc & below) 26,309 26,301
B - Car (above 1,600cc) 36,961 35,403
C - Goods vehicle & bus 27,010 26,914
D - Motorcycle 3,602 3,689
E - Open 37,620 36,667
Sunday, March 3, 2019
2020 Mercedes GLC shows subtle facelift in official videos
After the AMG GLE 53, the other SUV revealed this week by Mercedes was the facelifted GLC. The mid-cycle refresh comes three and a half years after the launch of the GLK successor, and builds upon the already attractive design. There are subtle styling tweaks here and there to keep the GLC fresh and competitive in a hugely challenging segment of the market.
Even the base version of the posh SUV now comes with LED headlights, with optional full-LED with Multibeam tech available at an additional cost. Those full LED taillights represent another update over the pre-facelift GLC and contribute to the model’s discreet revisions. Also at the back, the AMG Line variant comes with slightly different angular exhaust tips nicely integrated into the bumper to enable a cleaner look. Wheels up to 20 inches in size are available, and so is a new colour called graphite gray.
The most obvious changes have occurred inside the cabin where the 2020 GLC gets the MBUX infotainment system with a free-standing touchscreen available in either 7- or 10.25-inch sizes. The tablet-style display is accompanied by an optional 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster as seen already in the GLC F-Cell.
Should you not want to get fingerprints on that central screen, you can use gestures to control some of the functions of Mercedes’ Comand-replacing MBUX infotainment system. Alternatively, there’s also a nifty multifunction touchpad that you’ll also find in the C-Class facelift.
Mercedes in Geneva:
2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class revealed with new engine and more tech
Mercedes-Benz GLE 53 debuts with 429 bhp of electrified thrills
Mercedes-AMG teases Panamericana grille on mystery vehicle
Mercedes CLA Shooting Brake, GLC-Class confirmed for Geneva debut
Even the base model now gets keyless go functionality, while the optional Off-Road Engineering Package adds the Off-Road and Off-Road modes joining the existing Comfort, Eco, Sport, Sport+, and Individual.
If you want to check out the GLC facelift in the metal, it will be on display at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show beginning next week where aside from the GLE 53, Mercedes will also exhibit the CLA Shooting Brake, S65 Final Edition, SLC Final Edition, and the SL Grand Edition. No word just yet about the A45, though.
Even the base version of the posh SUV now comes with LED headlights, with optional full-LED with Multibeam tech available at an additional cost. Those full LED taillights represent another update over the pre-facelift GLC and contribute to the model’s discreet revisions. Also at the back, the AMG Line variant comes with slightly different angular exhaust tips nicely integrated into the bumper to enable a cleaner look. Wheels up to 20 inches in size are available, and so is a new colour called graphite gray.
The most obvious changes have occurred inside the cabin where the 2020 GLC gets the MBUX infotainment system with a free-standing touchscreen available in either 7- or 10.25-inch sizes. The tablet-style display is accompanied by an optional 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster as seen already in the GLC F-Cell.
Should you not want to get fingerprints on that central screen, you can use gestures to control some of the functions of Mercedes’ Comand-replacing MBUX infotainment system. Alternatively, there’s also a nifty multifunction touchpad that you’ll also find in the C-Class facelift.
Mercedes in Geneva:
2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class revealed with new engine and more tech
Mercedes-Benz GLE 53 debuts with 429 bhp of electrified thrills
Mercedes-AMG teases Panamericana grille on mystery vehicle
Mercedes CLA Shooting Brake, GLC-Class confirmed for Geneva debut
Even the base model now gets keyless go functionality, while the optional Off-Road Engineering Package adds the Off-Road and Off-Road modes joining the existing Comfort, Eco, Sport, Sport+, and Individual.
If you want to check out the GLC facelift in the metal, it will be on display at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show beginning next week where aside from the GLE 53, Mercedes will also exhibit the CLA Shooting Brake, S65 Final Edition, SLC Final Edition, and the SL Grand Edition. No word just yet about the A45, though.
Sunday, February 24, 2019
The Line Bangkok
The Line Bangkok
Sukhumvit Soi 71 Bangkok Chak Phra Khanong, Bangkok, Ardmore, Bukit Timah, Holland Road, Tanglin, Bangkok, Thailand
The Line Bangkok at Sukhumvit 71 by Sansiri. Leverage on 1st Mover Advantage to Book Your Unit Now at New Launch Price from just SGD$2xxk. Highly Affordable.
Exclusive One, Two, Three Bedroom apartments situated close proximity to Bangkok’s BTS Station Phra Kanong. Centrally located at Sukhumvit Soi 71.
Where : Sukhumvit Soi 71 Bangkok Chak Phra Khanong
Developer : Sansiri Public Limited Company & BTS Group
Tube/MRT Connectivity : BTS Phra Khanong
Number of units : Total 291 units comprising:
1 bedroom apartments (29.5 sqm to 34.0 sqm)
1 bedroom-L apartments (40.0 sqm to 44.75 sqm)
2 bedroom apartments (57.25 sqm to 62.75 sqm)
Expected Completion / TOP : November 2016
The Line Bangkok Sansiri is located at Sukhumvit, which connects to Bangkok’s key locations within minutes
Location is equivalent of District 9 and 11 in Singapore
Centrally located at Sukhumvit Soi 71
5 mins walk or 400m to BTS Phra Kanong
1 stop to BTS Ekamai Station
2 stops to BTS Thong Lor Station
3 stops to BTS Phrom Phong
4 stops to BTS Sukhumvit / MRT Asoke Exchange
2 mins walk to W District
12 Reasons to Invest in The Line Bangkok Sansiri Now
Excellent location and highly sought address in Bangkok Sukhumvit area
Easy connectivity to BTS stations and interchanges
291 exclusive units of 1, 2 & 3-bedroom apartments
Reputable developer, Sansiri & BTS Group Pte Ltd, with track record of award winning luxurious premium apartments in Bangkok; 30 years of experience known for highest quality with reputation
Within proximity of vibrant areas with shopping centres, and eateries
Quality finishings with kitchen appliances
Appeals to large pool of potential buyers; locally and internationally
Appeals to large pool of potential tenants; close proximity to Asoke Central Business District area
High Capital Protection; limited newly completed units available in downtown Bangkok
Average per sqm THB 180,000 lower than Sukhumvit average of THB 184,129
Deferred payment (only 20% till completion)
Very attractive Price from only GBP422K*! (before discounts) Priced to Sell
5 star Lobby Lounge
Garden with Recreation Area
Panoramic Roof Top Garden
Infinity Swimming Pool & Jazuzzi
Shallow Pool
State of the Art Gym
Club House & Library
Self Laundry Facilities
Covered Parking Area
24 Hours Security
Wireless Access on Facilities Area
Sukhumvit Soi 71 Bangkok Chak Phra Khanong, Bangkok, Ardmore, Bukit Timah, Holland Road, Tanglin, Bangkok, Thailand
The Line Bangkok at Sukhumvit 71 by Sansiri. Leverage on 1st Mover Advantage to Book Your Unit Now at New Launch Price from just SGD$2xxk. Highly Affordable.
Exclusive One, Two, Three Bedroom apartments situated close proximity to Bangkok’s BTS Station Phra Kanong. Centrally located at Sukhumvit Soi 71.
Where : Sukhumvit Soi 71 Bangkok Chak Phra Khanong
Developer : Sansiri Public Limited Company & BTS Group
Tube/MRT Connectivity : BTS Phra Khanong
Number of units : Total 291 units comprising:
1 bedroom apartments (29.5 sqm to 34.0 sqm)
1 bedroom-L apartments (40.0 sqm to 44.75 sqm)
2 bedroom apartments (57.25 sqm to 62.75 sqm)
Expected Completion / TOP : November 2016
The Line Bangkok Sansiri is located at Sukhumvit, which connects to Bangkok’s key locations within minutes
Location is equivalent of District 9 and 11 in Singapore
Centrally located at Sukhumvit Soi 71
5 mins walk or 400m to BTS Phra Kanong
1 stop to BTS Ekamai Station
2 stops to BTS Thong Lor Station
3 stops to BTS Phrom Phong
4 stops to BTS Sukhumvit / MRT Asoke Exchange
2 mins walk to W District
12 Reasons to Invest in The Line Bangkok Sansiri Now
Excellent location and highly sought address in Bangkok Sukhumvit area
Easy connectivity to BTS stations and interchanges
291 exclusive units of 1, 2 & 3-bedroom apartments
Reputable developer, Sansiri & BTS Group Pte Ltd, with track record of award winning luxurious premium apartments in Bangkok; 30 years of experience known for highest quality with reputation
Within proximity of vibrant areas with shopping centres, and eateries
Quality finishings with kitchen appliances
Appeals to large pool of potential buyers; locally and internationally
Appeals to large pool of potential tenants; close proximity to Asoke Central Business District area
High Capital Protection; limited newly completed units available in downtown Bangkok
Average per sqm THB 180,000 lower than Sukhumvit average of THB 184,129
Deferred payment (only 20% till completion)
Very attractive Price from only GBP422K*! (before discounts) Priced to Sell
5 star Lobby Lounge
Garden with Recreation Area
Panoramic Roof Top Garden
Infinity Swimming Pool & Jazuzzi
Shallow Pool
State of the Art Gym
Club House & Library
Self Laundry Facilities
Covered Parking Area
24 Hours Security
Wireless Access on Facilities Area
Saturday, February 16, 2019
“Biggest Drop In More Than Nine Years”: America’s Retail Apocalypse Is Greatly Accelerating In The Early Stages Of 2019
All over America retailers are going bankrupt and closing stores. Of course this has been happening for years, but as you will see below the numbers have dramatically escalated during the early portion of 2019. Our landscape is already littered with countless numbers of hollowed out stores and abandoned malls, and it is about to get a whole lot worse. Retailers were hoping that a strong holiday season would turn things around, but that didn’t happen. In fact, we just learned that retail sales in the United States suffered “their biggest drop in more than nine years” during the month of December…
U.S. retail sales recorded their biggest drop in more than nine years in December as receipts fell across the board, suggesting a sharp slowdown in economic activity at the end of 2018.
The Commerce Department said on Thursday retail sales tumbled 1.2 percent, the largest decline since September 2009 when the economy was emerging from recession.
Every time I write an article like this, a few commenters chime in and blame this entire trend on the rise of online retailing. And without a doubt online retailing has been growing in recent years, but it still accounts for less than 10 percent of the entire industry.
If online retail sales were to blame for this latest drop, you would expect to see that reflected in the numbers. But instead, when we look at the numbers what we find is that online retailers experienced “the biggest drop ever” during the month of December…
December online internet sales (non-store retailers) tumbled 3.9% MoM – the biggest drop ever
So brick and mortar retail sales are going down and online retail sales are going down.
It is starting to smell a lot like a recession, and many in the industry are starting to panic.
And when I say panic, I mean that they are closing stores at a pace that is far faster than last year. In fact, so far retail store closings are 23 percent ahead of the pace set last year…
Coresight Research released an outlook of 2019 store closures Wednesday, saying there’s “no light at the end of the tunnel.”
According to the global market research firm’s report, six weeks into 2019, U.S. retailers have announced 2,187 closings, up 23 percent compared to last year. Those closings include 749 Gymboree stores, 251 Shopko stores and 94 Charlotte Russe locations.
Unfortunately, the number of store closings is about to double because Payless ShoeSource plans to declare bankruptcy and shut down 2,300 stores…
U.S. discount retailer Payless ShoeSource Inc plans to close all of its approximately 2,300 stores when it files for bankruptcy later this month for the second time in as many years, people familiar with the matter said on Thursday.
And Payless is far from alone. If you can believe it, the number of retail bankruptcies in 2019 is “already at one-third of last year’s total”…
Bankruptcies also are continuing at a rapid pace “with the number of filings in the first six weeks of 2019 already at one-third of last year’s total,” the report states.
Ladies and gentlemen, this is what a retail apocalypse looks like, and we are still in the early chapters.
It is going to take some time for this drama to fully play out. Just look at Sears – it is a money bleeding zombie of a company, but Eddie Lampert has convinced investors to give things one more try. But they are going to zero, and so is JC Penney, and so are a whole host of other major retailers.
In the end, millions upon millions of square feet of retail space is going to be sitting vacant. Some of the more economically depressed areas of the country are going to closely resemble ghost towns, and we are going to see a commercial real estate crisis that is off the charts.
Switching gears, we also just learned that the number of Americans that are at least 90 days behind on their auto loans is already “more than 1 million higher” than it was during the peak of the last recession…
More than 7 million Americans are 90 days or more behind on their vehicle loans as of the end of 2018, according to data released Tuesday by the New York Federal Reserve. That’s more than 1 million higher than the peak in 2010 as the country was recovering from its worst downturn since the Great Depression.
How is that possible?
I thought that the U.S. economy was supposed to be “booming”.
Isn’t that what they have been telling us?
In recent weeks I have repeatedly brought up current economic numbers that are even worse than the last recession, and yet so many people out there continue to insist that everything is just fine.
No, everything is definitely not “just fine”.
Economic activity is slowing down dramatically, and many believe that things are about to get a whole lot worse. In fact, Peter Schiff is warning that what is ahead “is going to be worse than what we now call the Great Recession”…
People are going to realize that we checked into the monetary roach motel that I talked about from the beginning and that there’s no way out, and then the dollar is going to fall like a stone.
When they find out that it’s never over and it didn’t work, then there’s going to be nothing propping up the dollar and it’s going to drop like a stone, the price of gold is going to take off, and the recession that we’re entering into, which is going to be an inflationary recession, is going to be worse than what we now call the Great Recession.
Maybe it’s taken longer than we might have thought to play out, but this is the beginning of the end.”
I wish that I had better news for you today, but I don’t.
The retail apocalypse is accelerating, America’s debt crisis is starting to reach a critical level, and very challenging days are approaching for all of us.
U.S. retail sales recorded their biggest drop in more than nine years in December as receipts fell across the board, suggesting a sharp slowdown in economic activity at the end of 2018.
The Commerce Department said on Thursday retail sales tumbled 1.2 percent, the largest decline since September 2009 when the economy was emerging from recession.
Every time I write an article like this, a few commenters chime in and blame this entire trend on the rise of online retailing. And without a doubt online retailing has been growing in recent years, but it still accounts for less than 10 percent of the entire industry.
If online retail sales were to blame for this latest drop, you would expect to see that reflected in the numbers. But instead, when we look at the numbers what we find is that online retailers experienced “the biggest drop ever” during the month of December…
December online internet sales (non-store retailers) tumbled 3.9% MoM – the biggest drop ever
So brick and mortar retail sales are going down and online retail sales are going down.
It is starting to smell a lot like a recession, and many in the industry are starting to panic.
And when I say panic, I mean that they are closing stores at a pace that is far faster than last year. In fact, so far retail store closings are 23 percent ahead of the pace set last year…
Coresight Research released an outlook of 2019 store closures Wednesday, saying there’s “no light at the end of the tunnel.”
According to the global market research firm’s report, six weeks into 2019, U.S. retailers have announced 2,187 closings, up 23 percent compared to last year. Those closings include 749 Gymboree stores, 251 Shopko stores and 94 Charlotte Russe locations.
Unfortunately, the number of store closings is about to double because Payless ShoeSource plans to declare bankruptcy and shut down 2,300 stores…
U.S. discount retailer Payless ShoeSource Inc plans to close all of its approximately 2,300 stores when it files for bankruptcy later this month for the second time in as many years, people familiar with the matter said on Thursday.
And Payless is far from alone. If you can believe it, the number of retail bankruptcies in 2019 is “already at one-third of last year’s total”…
Bankruptcies also are continuing at a rapid pace “with the number of filings in the first six weeks of 2019 already at one-third of last year’s total,” the report states.
Ladies and gentlemen, this is what a retail apocalypse looks like, and we are still in the early chapters.
It is going to take some time for this drama to fully play out. Just look at Sears – it is a money bleeding zombie of a company, but Eddie Lampert has convinced investors to give things one more try. But they are going to zero, and so is JC Penney, and so are a whole host of other major retailers.
In the end, millions upon millions of square feet of retail space is going to be sitting vacant. Some of the more economically depressed areas of the country are going to closely resemble ghost towns, and we are going to see a commercial real estate crisis that is off the charts.
Switching gears, we also just learned that the number of Americans that are at least 90 days behind on their auto loans is already “more than 1 million higher” than it was during the peak of the last recession…
More than 7 million Americans are 90 days or more behind on their vehicle loans as of the end of 2018, according to data released Tuesday by the New York Federal Reserve. That’s more than 1 million higher than the peak in 2010 as the country was recovering from its worst downturn since the Great Depression.
How is that possible?
I thought that the U.S. economy was supposed to be “booming”.
Isn’t that what they have been telling us?
In recent weeks I have repeatedly brought up current economic numbers that are even worse than the last recession, and yet so many people out there continue to insist that everything is just fine.
No, everything is definitely not “just fine”.
Economic activity is slowing down dramatically, and many believe that things are about to get a whole lot worse. In fact, Peter Schiff is warning that what is ahead “is going to be worse than what we now call the Great Recession”…
People are going to realize that we checked into the monetary roach motel that I talked about from the beginning and that there’s no way out, and then the dollar is going to fall like a stone.
When they find out that it’s never over and it didn’t work, then there’s going to be nothing propping up the dollar and it’s going to drop like a stone, the price of gold is going to take off, and the recession that we’re entering into, which is going to be an inflationary recession, is going to be worse than what we now call the Great Recession.
Maybe it’s taken longer than we might have thought to play out, but this is the beginning of the end.”
I wish that I had better news for you today, but I don’t.
The retail apocalypse is accelerating, America’s debt crisis is starting to reach a critical level, and very challenging days are approaching for all of us.
Monday, February 11, 2019
Tesla Faces Heavy Lift as Model 3 Enters Europe and China
For Tesla Inc. investors, the last year was all about whether the company could make enough cars at a stable rate. This year is going to be all about who would buy those cars.
As Tesla gears up to expand into Europe and China, investors and analysts are now focused on the demand trends experienced by the company in all of its markets. “Tesla has now shifted from a production story to a demand story,” Wedbush analyst Daniel Ives wrote in a note to clients on Monday, adding that Norway, the Netherlands, and Germany are front and center as the countries with strong pent-up demand for Model 3s in Europe.
“The big question for investors will be watching this Model 3 demand trajectory throughout Europe to gauge the pace of unit deliveries and how quickly can it reach the 100,000 units delivery barometer over the next 12 months in this key region, with China also a demand driver/potential wild card,” the analyst wrote.
Tesla chief Elon Musk visited Europe over the weekend, stopping in Norway, which is the company’s third-biggest market, helped by generous incentives for low-emission vehicles and high taxes on gas-fueled cars. Separately, China’s state-run newspaper Global Times tweeted on Monday that the first shipment of the Model 3 had arrived at the Port of Tianjin, ready for delivery to Chinese customers.
The electric-vehicle maker kicked off this year on a dull note after fourth-quarter deliveries slightly lagged expectations, and multiple price cuts have followed for the Model 3 sedan to compensate for the gradual elimination of federal tax incentives. Tesla’s quarterly profit, reported in late January, also missed estimates and failed to inspire investor confidence.
Tesla stock had fallen more than 8 percent this year through Friday, before Monday’s gains. The S&P 500 Index gained 8 percent over the same period.
Yet despite the shaky numbers and a lackluster outlook, some say the company is on the right path. “We believe the last two quarters and recent guidance for first quarter have removed significant concerns for both production capability and profitability of the critical Model 3,” Canaccord Genuity analyst Jed Dorsheimer wrote in a note. “As such, we see a more stable 2019 with far fewer concerns for investors in the company.”
Dorsheimer also upgraded Tesla to buy from hold, and raised his price traget to $450 from $330, saying the Street underappreciates the company’s progress in the electric vehicle market.
The steady advance of global automakers into the electric car market has weighed on Tesla’s valuation over the past twelve months, with Morgan Stanley calling Tesla’s 80 percent U.S. electric vehicle market share in 2018 unsustainable. Morgan Stanley analyst Adam Jonas said he expected the “next serious competition” to come “from a ‘clean sheet’ start-up with access to talent & capital focused on the fastest growing segments of pickup trucks & SUVs.”
Tesla has long been a far-from-stable story. While the stock gained as much as 4.2 percent on Monday, investors should brace for a choppy ride this year.
“The profitability picture for 2019 and the all-important Model 3 demand trajectory in Europe for Tesla looks encouraging for Musk & Co., but there is clearly heavy lifting ahead around Europe logistics/cost-cutting/driving incremental U.S. demand that will remain overhangs and thus make Tesla a ‘prove me’ story the next few quarters,” Wedbush’s Ives said.
As Tesla gears up to expand into Europe and China, investors and analysts are now focused on the demand trends experienced by the company in all of its markets. “Tesla has now shifted from a production story to a demand story,” Wedbush analyst Daniel Ives wrote in a note to clients on Monday, adding that Norway, the Netherlands, and Germany are front and center as the countries with strong pent-up demand for Model 3s in Europe.
“The big question for investors will be watching this Model 3 demand trajectory throughout Europe to gauge the pace of unit deliveries and how quickly can it reach the 100,000 units delivery barometer over the next 12 months in this key region, with China also a demand driver/potential wild card,” the analyst wrote.
Tesla chief Elon Musk visited Europe over the weekend, stopping in Norway, which is the company’s third-biggest market, helped by generous incentives for low-emission vehicles and high taxes on gas-fueled cars. Separately, China’s state-run newspaper Global Times tweeted on Monday that the first shipment of the Model 3 had arrived at the Port of Tianjin, ready for delivery to Chinese customers.
The electric-vehicle maker kicked off this year on a dull note after fourth-quarter deliveries slightly lagged expectations, and multiple price cuts have followed for the Model 3 sedan to compensate for the gradual elimination of federal tax incentives. Tesla’s quarterly profit, reported in late January, also missed estimates and failed to inspire investor confidence.
Tesla stock had fallen more than 8 percent this year through Friday, before Monday’s gains. The S&P 500 Index gained 8 percent over the same period.
Yet despite the shaky numbers and a lackluster outlook, some say the company is on the right path. “We believe the last two quarters and recent guidance for first quarter have removed significant concerns for both production capability and profitability of the critical Model 3,” Canaccord Genuity analyst Jed Dorsheimer wrote in a note. “As such, we see a more stable 2019 with far fewer concerns for investors in the company.”
Dorsheimer also upgraded Tesla to buy from hold, and raised his price traget to $450 from $330, saying the Street underappreciates the company’s progress in the electric vehicle market.
The steady advance of global automakers into the electric car market has weighed on Tesla’s valuation over the past twelve months, with Morgan Stanley calling Tesla’s 80 percent U.S. electric vehicle market share in 2018 unsustainable. Morgan Stanley analyst Adam Jonas said he expected the “next serious competition” to come “from a ‘clean sheet’ start-up with access to talent & capital focused on the fastest growing segments of pickup trucks & SUVs.”
Tesla has long been a far-from-stable story. While the stock gained as much as 4.2 percent on Monday, investors should brace for a choppy ride this year.
“The profitability picture for 2019 and the all-important Model 3 demand trajectory in Europe for Tesla looks encouraging for Musk & Co., but there is clearly heavy lifting ahead around Europe logistics/cost-cutting/driving incremental U.S. demand that will remain overhangs and thus make Tesla a ‘prove me’ story the next few quarters,” Wedbush’s Ives said.
Tuesday, February 5, 2019
All-New Mercedes CLA-Class To Take On Future Cadillac CT4
Mercedes-Benz recently debuted its all-new, second-generation CLA-Class – and the new German compact looks to be everything a small “four-door coupe” should be. Let’s take a closer look at what the world’s best-selling luxury carmaker has in store, since it will be one of the models that the upcoming Cadillac CT4 will be up against when it launches later this year.
Positioning
Following the wild success of the first-generation CLA-Class and the A-Class hatchback in Europe, Mercedes-Benz is taking a one-two punch to the highly-competitive C-segment this time around by fielding two models in the space: the new A-Class Sedan (and five-door Hatchback in Europe) as well as this CLA-Class “four-door coupe.” All models are mechanically related, as they ride on Mercedes’ new front-drive architecture, which will also derive the next-gen GLA-Class and GLB-Class crossover SUVs.
Though the four-door coupe moniker is a misnomer, the four-door coupe is an extremely successful strategy: by putting a sleeker body on the exact same chassis as a traditional sedan and giving it a different name, Mercedes is able to charge considerably more, thereby making a higher profit on each unit sold. The practice was practically invented by Mercedes-Benz with the original CLS-Class, which placed a four-door coupe body (there’s that misnomer again) on the frame of the E-Class Sedan. Other German automakers followed, including BMW with the 4 and 6 Series Gran Coupé models, as well as Audi with the A5 and A7 Sportback variants.
To that end, BMW is planning a competitor of its own to the new Mercedes CLA-Class, expected to be called 2 Series Grand Coupe. BMW fields a traditional C-segment sedan in China called the 1 Series, and that model could potentially make its way to the Americas in the future. Audi, meanwhile, has the A3 in the traditional C-segment space, and has been rumored to add an A3 Sportback to the next-gen A3 family.
Exterior
The 2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA is slightly larger than the first-generation model, while serving as a more expressive alternative to the new A-Class Sedan. In fact, the new CLA is longer, narrower, and lower than its predecessor, faros that help it be more aerodynamic than ever before. The main differentiator over the traditional A-Class Sedan is the rapidly-sloping, fastback-style roof.
Other than that, styling is in line with Mercedes’ current exterior design trends, which feature swooping lines and fewer creases. The design is not a love-it-or-hate-it affair since it’s not exactly offensive or ground-breaking, though it potentially borders on bland.
Powertrain
At launch, the second-generation 2020 CLA-Class will be offered with a single powertrain combination in the U.S. – a new, turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four cylinder paired to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. The combo produces 221 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque in the model called CLA250. Front-wheel-drive is standard, while 4MATIC all-wheel-drive is optional.
Other powertrain variants are expected, including a range-topping CLA45 AMG with about 400 horsepower and 4MATIC AWD, and an in-between model called CLA35 AMG making in the vicinity of 300 horses.
Interior
The cabin of the new Mercedes CLA-Class is more spacious than that of the first-gen, with additional shoulder and elbow room for everyone. The trunk, however, is a bit smaller than the predecessor.
Inside, the new CLA-Class receives the Mercedes-Benz User eXperience (MBUX) infotainment system with a high-resolution, 10.25-inch touchscreen display. The AI-powered software adapts to individual users by learning their habits, making the driving experience more personal. Natural voice recognition technology lets passengers navigate the vehicle’s various functions by simply saying “Hey, Mercedes!”, following by their command. For added convenience, passengers can also use either the touchscreen or the touchpad found on the center console.
The 2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class will begin arriving in showrooms later this year. Pricing information will be announced closer to the on-sale date. GM’s answer to the CLA-Class and A-Class will be the upcoming Cadillac CT4, which is expected to arrive by the end of the 2019 calendar year. The CT4, however, will have a more traditional body style similar to the A-Class Sedan, rather than this CLA-Class “four-door coupe”.
Positioning
Following the wild success of the first-generation CLA-Class and the A-Class hatchback in Europe, Mercedes-Benz is taking a one-two punch to the highly-competitive C-segment this time around by fielding two models in the space: the new A-Class Sedan (and five-door Hatchback in Europe) as well as this CLA-Class “four-door coupe.” All models are mechanically related, as they ride on Mercedes’ new front-drive architecture, which will also derive the next-gen GLA-Class and GLB-Class crossover SUVs.
Though the four-door coupe moniker is a misnomer, the four-door coupe is an extremely successful strategy: by putting a sleeker body on the exact same chassis as a traditional sedan and giving it a different name, Mercedes is able to charge considerably more, thereby making a higher profit on each unit sold. The practice was practically invented by Mercedes-Benz with the original CLS-Class, which placed a four-door coupe body (there’s that misnomer again) on the frame of the E-Class Sedan. Other German automakers followed, including BMW with the 4 and 6 Series Gran Coupé models, as well as Audi with the A5 and A7 Sportback variants.
To that end, BMW is planning a competitor of its own to the new Mercedes CLA-Class, expected to be called 2 Series Grand Coupe. BMW fields a traditional C-segment sedan in China called the 1 Series, and that model could potentially make its way to the Americas in the future. Audi, meanwhile, has the A3 in the traditional C-segment space, and has been rumored to add an A3 Sportback to the next-gen A3 family.
Exterior
The 2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA is slightly larger than the first-generation model, while serving as a more expressive alternative to the new A-Class Sedan. In fact, the new CLA is longer, narrower, and lower than its predecessor, faros that help it be more aerodynamic than ever before. The main differentiator over the traditional A-Class Sedan is the rapidly-sloping, fastback-style roof.
Other than that, styling is in line with Mercedes’ current exterior design trends, which feature swooping lines and fewer creases. The design is not a love-it-or-hate-it affair since it’s not exactly offensive or ground-breaking, though it potentially borders on bland.
Powertrain
At launch, the second-generation 2020 CLA-Class will be offered with a single powertrain combination in the U.S. – a new, turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four cylinder paired to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. The combo produces 221 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque in the model called CLA250. Front-wheel-drive is standard, while 4MATIC all-wheel-drive is optional.
Other powertrain variants are expected, including a range-topping CLA45 AMG with about 400 horsepower and 4MATIC AWD, and an in-between model called CLA35 AMG making in the vicinity of 300 horses.
Interior
The cabin of the new Mercedes CLA-Class is more spacious than that of the first-gen, with additional shoulder and elbow room for everyone. The trunk, however, is a bit smaller than the predecessor.
Inside, the new CLA-Class receives the Mercedes-Benz User eXperience (MBUX) infotainment system with a high-resolution, 10.25-inch touchscreen display. The AI-powered software adapts to individual users by learning their habits, making the driving experience more personal. Natural voice recognition technology lets passengers navigate the vehicle’s various functions by simply saying “Hey, Mercedes!”, following by their command. For added convenience, passengers can also use either the touchscreen or the touchpad found on the center console.
The 2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class will begin arriving in showrooms later this year. Pricing information will be announced closer to the on-sale date. GM’s answer to the CLA-Class and A-Class will be the upcoming Cadillac CT4, which is expected to arrive by the end of the 2019 calendar year. The CT4, however, will have a more traditional body style similar to the A-Class Sedan, rather than this CLA-Class “four-door coupe”.
Thursday, January 24, 2019
Fewer COEs for next three months starting from February
SINGAPORE - There will be fewer certificates of entitlement (COE) for the next three months starting from February.
The Land Transport Authority said on Thursday (Jan 24) the supply of Category A COEs (cars up to 1,600cc and 130bhp) will shrink by 9.1 per cent to 3,300 a month.
Category B (cars above 1,600cc or 130bhp) will have 2.9 per cent fewer certificates at 2,399 a month.
Open category (for all vehicles except motorcycles but which ends up mostly for bigger cars) will have 26.4 per cent fewer COEs at 794 a month.
In all, car buyers and sellers will see their collective supply (including Open) shrink by 9.6 per cent to 6,493 pieces a month. Those buying or selling bigger models will see a bigger shrinkage of 10.1 per cent.
Commercial vehicle buyers and sellers will have 7.6 per cent fewer COEs at 608 per month. And motorcyclists will see a 25.2 per cent plunge in their COE supply to 1,651 pieces a month.
In total, the monthly supply is 12.9 per cent smaller than the November-January quota at 8,752.
Although some motor traders baulk at the prospect of a smaller quota, Mr Ron Lim, head of sales and marketing at Nissan agent Tan Chong Motor, said its impact on car prices may not be significant.
“Category A is now basically back to what it was in the August-October 2018,” he said. “Back then, COE at its lowest was $25,556.
“So, unless buying sentiment picks up strongly, I doubt Cat A COE will see much fluctuation.”
But Mr Lim noted that the impact on those who buy and sell bigger cars may be more significant, as the shrinkage in their pool was “more than expected” – mainly because of the 26.4 per cent plunge in the Open quota.
Even so, “a lot depends on whether demand can be sustained, especially whether Gojek’s buying is over”, he said, referring to the new private-hire firm’s arrival fuelling demand for cars.
“If Gojek buying is over, then again we might not see much fluctuation in Cat B and Open category prices,” Mr Lim added.
The trade is likely to gauge how customers react to news of the reduced quota before adjusting car prices, but Mr Lim said “based on past experience, especially during the Chinese New Year tender period”, most customers will not rush in.
“Fundamental buying sentiment still remains relatively weak,” he noted, adding that it will be this, rather than COE supply numbers, which will have a bigger impact on prices.
Industry observers said Gojek is looking to build up an initial fleet of 2,000 cars. Even if they stagger buying over five or 10 months, it will exert upward pressure on COE premiums.
The Land Transport Authority said on Thursday (Jan 24) the supply of Category A COEs (cars up to 1,600cc and 130bhp) will shrink by 9.1 per cent to 3,300 a month.
Category B (cars above 1,600cc or 130bhp) will have 2.9 per cent fewer certificates at 2,399 a month.
Open category (for all vehicles except motorcycles but which ends up mostly for bigger cars) will have 26.4 per cent fewer COEs at 794 a month.
In all, car buyers and sellers will see their collective supply (including Open) shrink by 9.6 per cent to 6,493 pieces a month. Those buying or selling bigger models will see a bigger shrinkage of 10.1 per cent.
Commercial vehicle buyers and sellers will have 7.6 per cent fewer COEs at 608 per month. And motorcyclists will see a 25.2 per cent plunge in their COE supply to 1,651 pieces a month.
In total, the monthly supply is 12.9 per cent smaller than the November-January quota at 8,752.
Although some motor traders baulk at the prospect of a smaller quota, Mr Ron Lim, head of sales and marketing at Nissan agent Tan Chong Motor, said its impact on car prices may not be significant.
“Category A is now basically back to what it was in the August-October 2018,” he said. “Back then, COE at its lowest was $25,556.
“So, unless buying sentiment picks up strongly, I doubt Cat A COE will see much fluctuation.”
But Mr Lim noted that the impact on those who buy and sell bigger cars may be more significant, as the shrinkage in their pool was “more than expected” – mainly because of the 26.4 per cent plunge in the Open quota.
Even so, “a lot depends on whether demand can be sustained, especially whether Gojek’s buying is over”, he said, referring to the new private-hire firm’s arrival fuelling demand for cars.
“If Gojek buying is over, then again we might not see much fluctuation in Cat B and Open category prices,” Mr Lim added.
The trade is likely to gauge how customers react to news of the reduced quota before adjusting car prices, but Mr Lim said “based on past experience, especially during the Chinese New Year tender period”, most customers will not rush in.
“Fundamental buying sentiment still remains relatively weak,” he noted, adding that it will be this, rather than COE supply numbers, which will have a bigger impact on prices.
Industry observers said Gojek is looking to build up an initial fleet of 2,000 cars. Even if they stagger buying over five or 10 months, it will exert upward pressure on COE premiums.
Monday, January 21, 2019
LG to supply gesture-reading system for Mercedes-Benz
[SEOUL] LG Electronics Co. is the supplier for a Daimler AG Mercedes-Benz model that will feature a motion-detection system that can read a driver's gestures in order to control some automobile functions, people with knowledge of the matter said.
A camera installed in the car ceiling will read the driver's hand gestures, letting them control tasks such as turning on cruise control and adjusting music volume. Ultimately, LG envisions a system that can perform more complex functions such as shifting gears, said the people, asking not to be identified because the information isn't yet public.
BMW has already deployed a similar system in its 7 Series sedans, using technology from Softkinetic Systems, which was later bought by Sony Corp. LG already has a deal with Mercedes for a camera system that can tell if the driver is drowsy. A Jan. 8 news release by Mercedes-Benz from CES in Las Vegas showcased a new feature called MBUX Interior Assist, which lets occupants of the Mercedes-Benz CLA Coupe control functions with gestures.
The ability to detect pedestrians and read traffic signs has also been deployed by several automakers; such advanced driver assistance systems are building blocks for fully autonomous vehicles that can fundamentally change the way people ride in cars in the future. LG is also working on a driver-assistance system, which it aims to supply to Daimler later this year or in early 2020. Delivery was initially set for later this year, but was being delayed because the South Korean company had trouble acquiring the necessary chips, one of the people said.
Representatives for LG and Daimler declined to comment.
LG is a member of a South Korean conglomerate that's been stepping up efforts to supply auto components, from electronic batteries to digital dashboards. LG competes with Intel Corp.'s Mobileye and Harman, a unit of Samsung Electronics Co., in the driver-assistance market, which is expected to expand to US$67 billion by 2025 according to Grand View Research.
The Seoul-based company is seeking new sources of profit as its mobile phone and consumer electronics sales shrink in saturated markets. LG said earlier this month that its fourth-quarter operating profit fell 80 per cent to 75.3 billion won, compared with the 389 billion won average analyst estimate compiled by Bloomberg.
A camera installed in the car ceiling will read the driver's hand gestures, letting them control tasks such as turning on cruise control and adjusting music volume. Ultimately, LG envisions a system that can perform more complex functions such as shifting gears, said the people, asking not to be identified because the information isn't yet public.
BMW has already deployed a similar system in its 7 Series sedans, using technology from Softkinetic Systems, which was later bought by Sony Corp. LG already has a deal with Mercedes for a camera system that can tell if the driver is drowsy. A Jan. 8 news release by Mercedes-Benz from CES in Las Vegas showcased a new feature called MBUX Interior Assist, which lets occupants of the Mercedes-Benz CLA Coupe control functions with gestures.
The ability to detect pedestrians and read traffic signs has also been deployed by several automakers; such advanced driver assistance systems are building blocks for fully autonomous vehicles that can fundamentally change the way people ride in cars in the future. LG is also working on a driver-assistance system, which it aims to supply to Daimler later this year or in early 2020. Delivery was initially set for later this year, but was being delayed because the South Korean company had trouble acquiring the necessary chips, one of the people said.
Representatives for LG and Daimler declined to comment.
LG is a member of a South Korean conglomerate that's been stepping up efforts to supply auto components, from electronic batteries to digital dashboards. LG competes with Intel Corp.'s Mobileye and Harman, a unit of Samsung Electronics Co., in the driver-assistance market, which is expected to expand to US$67 billion by 2025 according to Grand View Research.
The Seoul-based company is seeking new sources of profit as its mobile phone and consumer electronics sales shrink in saturated markets. LG said earlier this month that its fourth-quarter operating profit fell 80 per cent to 75.3 billion won, compared with the 389 billion won average analyst estimate compiled by Bloomberg.
Tuesday, January 15, 2019
Parc Esta
Project Name Parc Esta
Type Apartment / Condo
Address 828 Sims Avenue
Site Area 376,712
PROJECT INFO
PROJECT : PARC ESTA
DEVELOPER : MCL LAND
LOCATION : SIMS AVENUE AND CHANGI ROAD
DISTRICT : 14
TENURE : 99 YEARS LEASEHOLD
TOP : -
SITE AREA : 376,712 SQFT
UNIT MIX : 1399 UNITS
Developer MCL Land
Development Parc Esta
TOP Est 2023
Tenure 99 Years
No. Of Units 1399 Units
Type Apartment / Condo
Address 828 Sims Avenue
Site Area 376,712
PROJECT INFO
PROJECT : PARC ESTA
DEVELOPER : MCL LAND
LOCATION : SIMS AVENUE AND CHANGI ROAD
DISTRICT : 14
TENURE : 99 YEARS LEASEHOLD
TOP : -
SITE AREA : 376,712 SQFT
UNIT MIX : 1399 UNITS
Developer MCL Land
Development Parc Esta
TOP Est 2023
Tenure 99 Years
No. Of Units 1399 Units
Saturday, January 5, 2019
A stretched Mercedes SUV is just what the Chinese market ordered
The Mercedes GLC-Class L is joining the growing list of long-wheelbase SUVs that will be offered in the Chinese market. The extended SUV stretches almost five inches longer than its standard counterpart. Its size and the extra space provided by that size is the only thing different with the GLC-Class L. Everything else is identical to the normal length GLC-Class, right down to its exterior looks and interior layout. The Mercedes GLC-Class L debuts at the Guangzhou International Automobile Exhibition in November.
It’s like looking at the standard model with a little extra length. There are no changes to the front end of the extended-wheelbase version of the compact SUV. That’s not necessarily a bad thing because even if the GLC-Class is a few years old, the long-wheelbase version still comes with a fresh and modern look. The chrome front grille is still there. The sporty intakes are still there. Even the thin lip spoiler makes an appearance on the GLC-Class L. You’ll notice, too, that the panels are cut the same way compared to the standard GLC.
The obvious takeaway is that the GLC L is longer than the standard GLC. Take it by the numbers, and that length stretches to 187.6 inches (15.63 feet). That’s almost five inches longer than the standard GLC, which boasts a length of 183 inches (15.25 feet). The stretched SUV also sits on a stretched wheelbase that reaches 117.04 inches (9.75 feet), almost four inches longer than the 113.1-inch (9.42 feet) wheelbase of the standard GLC Class. You’ll notice the difference in size between the two models when you see the rear doors of the GLC-Class L. They’re significantly longer than the ones found on the standard GLC-Class.
The Mercedes GLC-Class L also measures 74.7 inches (6.23 feet) wide and 64.8 inches (5.4 feet) high. For reference, GLC-Class L is almost an inch wider but is just as tall as the standard GLC.
Outside of the extra space, the interior of the Mercedes GLC-Class L is also a carbon copy of the standard GLC. Mercedes didn’t elaborate on the standard features — that’s likely coming when the long-wheelbase SUV debuts next month — but expect the model to include dual-zone automatic climate control, an infotainment system with a seven-inch display screen, Bluetooth, HD Radio, and a couple of USB ports. A lineup of buttons in the center stack, the touchpad controller mounted in between the front seats, and the controls on the steering wheel are all used in their respective functions to control the SUV’s interior systems.
Other possible optional bits and pieces include a cabin fragrance system, a cabin air purification system, navigation, satellite radio, a Wi-Fi hotspot, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 14-speaker Burmester premium surround sound system.
Space is the biggest difference between the standard GLC-Class and the GLC-Class L. Even though Mercedes didn’t announce the actual numbers, the photos reveal the stark difference in the rear space, particularly in the legroom department. The standard GLC-Class sits five people comfortably, and while the GLC-Class L sits the same number of people, those sitting in the back will have far more space to stretch their legs.
The GLC-Class L’s cargo space has also not been identified. For the record, though, the standard GLC-Class has 17 cubic feet of cargo space when all the seats are upright. Fold the rear seats and that space stretches to a voluminous 56 cubic feet of room.
Whatever the numbers are, the GLC-Class L provides far more comfort for its occupants. That much is certain by virtue of its size.
Just like the Mercedes GLC-Class, the long-wheelbase version of the SUV comes with three different states of tune of the same 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. The GLC 200 L 4Matic’s four-cylinder engine produces 184 horsepower while the GLC 250 L 4Matic’s four-banger engine produces 208 horsepower.
The range-topping GLC 300 L 4Matic’s four-cylinder engine produces 241 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. In the standard GLC, those numbers are good enough to help the SUV sprint from 0 to 60 mph in around 6.7 seconds.
A 0-to-60-mph sprint is possible in around 6.8 seconds to 7.0 seconds.
A nine-speed 9GTronic automatic transmission comes standard across the entire GLC-Class L range. Likewise, all versions of the long-wheelbase SUV are fitted with Mercedes’ 4Matic all-wheel-drive system. Mercedes didn’t mention the SUV limo’s fuel efficiency ratings. It’s possible, though, that the GLC-Class L’s rating sits somewhere in the same vicinity as the standard model. If that’s the case, look for the GLC Class L to return 22 mpg in the city and 28 mpg at the highway.
The standard Mercedes GLC-Class delivers an impressive ride on most road surfaces, thanks in part to a clinically developed suspension unit that can adjust to road conditions. While the extended-wheelbase version carries a lot of the same genes as the standard GLC-Class, it’s unfair to expect similar driving dynamics, especially when you consider the extra length and subsequent extra weight the GLC-Class L is carrying. Don’t expect a huge drop-off, though. If anything, the GLC-Class L is slightly more of a challenge to drive.
2019 MERCEDES-BENZ GLC-CLASS L PRICING
Those who are interested in buying the Mercedes GLC-Class L will reportedly have to spend an extra RMB10,000 — that converts to around $1,450 — to the price of the standard Mercedes GLC-Class. The base GLC 200 4Matic starts at RMB396,000, which converts to a little over $57,000. Do the math, and you’re looking at a starting price for the G-Class L that adds up to RMB406,000. That’s about $58,520 based on current exchange rates.
Opt for the top-of-the-line GLC 300 4Matic, and it’s starting price of RMB579,000 — converts to about $83,460 — and you’re looking at a total price of RMB 589,000, which computes to just a sniff under $85,000. Obviously, these prices are all but certain to go up in the event you throw in some optional accessories and packages, of which the GLC-Class L presumably has many of.
Mercedes Singapore News
It’s like looking at the standard model with a little extra length. There are no changes to the front end of the extended-wheelbase version of the compact SUV. That’s not necessarily a bad thing because even if the GLC-Class is a few years old, the long-wheelbase version still comes with a fresh and modern look. The chrome front grille is still there. The sporty intakes are still there. Even the thin lip spoiler makes an appearance on the GLC-Class L. You’ll notice, too, that the panels are cut the same way compared to the standard GLC.
The obvious takeaway is that the GLC L is longer than the standard GLC. Take it by the numbers, and that length stretches to 187.6 inches (15.63 feet). That’s almost five inches longer than the standard GLC, which boasts a length of 183 inches (15.25 feet). The stretched SUV also sits on a stretched wheelbase that reaches 117.04 inches (9.75 feet), almost four inches longer than the 113.1-inch (9.42 feet) wheelbase of the standard GLC Class. You’ll notice the difference in size between the two models when you see the rear doors of the GLC-Class L. They’re significantly longer than the ones found on the standard GLC-Class.
The Mercedes GLC-Class L also measures 74.7 inches (6.23 feet) wide and 64.8 inches (5.4 feet) high. For reference, GLC-Class L is almost an inch wider but is just as tall as the standard GLC.
Outside of the extra space, the interior of the Mercedes GLC-Class L is also a carbon copy of the standard GLC. Mercedes didn’t elaborate on the standard features — that’s likely coming when the long-wheelbase SUV debuts next month — but expect the model to include dual-zone automatic climate control, an infotainment system with a seven-inch display screen, Bluetooth, HD Radio, and a couple of USB ports. A lineup of buttons in the center stack, the touchpad controller mounted in between the front seats, and the controls on the steering wheel are all used in their respective functions to control the SUV’s interior systems.
Other possible optional bits and pieces include a cabin fragrance system, a cabin air purification system, navigation, satellite radio, a Wi-Fi hotspot, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 14-speaker Burmester premium surround sound system.
Space is the biggest difference between the standard GLC-Class and the GLC-Class L. Even though Mercedes didn’t announce the actual numbers, the photos reveal the stark difference in the rear space, particularly in the legroom department. The standard GLC-Class sits five people comfortably, and while the GLC-Class L sits the same number of people, those sitting in the back will have far more space to stretch their legs.
The GLC-Class L’s cargo space has also not been identified. For the record, though, the standard GLC-Class has 17 cubic feet of cargo space when all the seats are upright. Fold the rear seats and that space stretches to a voluminous 56 cubic feet of room.
Whatever the numbers are, the GLC-Class L provides far more comfort for its occupants. That much is certain by virtue of its size.
Just like the Mercedes GLC-Class, the long-wheelbase version of the SUV comes with three different states of tune of the same 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. The GLC 200 L 4Matic’s four-cylinder engine produces 184 horsepower while the GLC 250 L 4Matic’s four-banger engine produces 208 horsepower.
The range-topping GLC 300 L 4Matic’s four-cylinder engine produces 241 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. In the standard GLC, those numbers are good enough to help the SUV sprint from 0 to 60 mph in around 6.7 seconds.
A 0-to-60-mph sprint is possible in around 6.8 seconds to 7.0 seconds.
A nine-speed 9GTronic automatic transmission comes standard across the entire GLC-Class L range. Likewise, all versions of the long-wheelbase SUV are fitted with Mercedes’ 4Matic all-wheel-drive system. Mercedes didn’t mention the SUV limo’s fuel efficiency ratings. It’s possible, though, that the GLC-Class L’s rating sits somewhere in the same vicinity as the standard model. If that’s the case, look for the GLC Class L to return 22 mpg in the city and 28 mpg at the highway.
The standard Mercedes GLC-Class delivers an impressive ride on most road surfaces, thanks in part to a clinically developed suspension unit that can adjust to road conditions. While the extended-wheelbase version carries a lot of the same genes as the standard GLC-Class, it’s unfair to expect similar driving dynamics, especially when you consider the extra length and subsequent extra weight the GLC-Class L is carrying. Don’t expect a huge drop-off, though. If anything, the GLC-Class L is slightly more of a challenge to drive.
2019 MERCEDES-BENZ GLC-CLASS L PRICING
Those who are interested in buying the Mercedes GLC-Class L will reportedly have to spend an extra RMB10,000 — that converts to around $1,450 — to the price of the standard Mercedes GLC-Class. The base GLC 200 4Matic starts at RMB396,000, which converts to a little over $57,000. Do the math, and you’re looking at a starting price for the G-Class L that adds up to RMB406,000. That’s about $58,520 based on current exchange rates.
Opt for the top-of-the-line GLC 300 4Matic, and it’s starting price of RMB579,000 — converts to about $83,460 — and you’re looking at a total price of RMB 589,000, which computes to just a sniff under $85,000. Obviously, these prices are all but certain to go up in the event you throw in some optional accessories and packages, of which the GLC-Class L presumably has many of.
Mercedes Singapore News
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)