Founding of the Association

Singapore Motor Cycle Trade Association was approved by the registry of Societies and founded on September 9, 1970. Its official founding date is January 2, 1971.

Why was the Singapore Motor Cycle Trade Association founded?

After the Second World War, Singapore's economy developed gradually and its population increased unceasingly. This trend boosted the demand for vehicles. Motorcycles and scooters which were cheap and convenient means of transportation thereby became great in demand.

According to statistics collected in 1970, there were more than 200 motorcycle and scooter shops then. Some of there imported their own vehicles directly from the manufacturers and some exported spare parts to neighboring countries as well.

The springing-up of motorcycle business gave rise to competition. In addition, the authorities concerned imposed various regulations, some of which were disputable.

Under these circumstances, to promote unity and cordial contacts among fellow businessmen to study and solve the common problems in the trade and to effectively advance national transport, our forerunners founded the Association 30 years ago.

The Protem Committee of the Association was chaired by Mr. Lim Kim Guan of Hong Guan Motor Pte Ltd and Mr. Robert Tan Bee Chuan of Ban Hock Hin Co Pte Ltd as its Secretary and Mr. Lee Seng Choa of Ying Tong Motor Co as its Treasurer.

Fund Raising for Buying the Premises of the Association

The urgent task of the first committee was to raise funds for the purchase of a premises for the Association.

A special meeting was held on March 26, 1972 to discuss and pass a resolution for purchasing a premises and amend the regulations to incorporate property trust clauses. During the meeting, Chairman Robert Tan Bee Chuan informed the attending members that a 2-story terrace house located at 40 Sam Leong Road and priced at S$ 42,000 had been found.

Chairman Tan further informed the members that a deposit of S$ 4,200 had been paid by Ban Hock Hin Co. Pte Ltd. Hong Guan Motor Pte Ltd and Hock Motor Pte Ltd as the first part of their donations.

The fund raising campaign was enthusiastically carried out immediately. Many committee members and ordinary members not only donated money but also exerted themselves in raising money from members and warm-hearted businessmen.

The largest donations came from Boon Siew Singapore Pte Ltd and Hong Leong Pte Ltd with a donation of S$ 10,000 each. Shell (Singapore) Pte Ltd donated S$ 5,000 next came Castrol (Far East) Pte Ltd and The East Asiatic Co. (s) Pte Ltd with a donation of S$ 4,000 each.

Hong Guan Motor Pte Ltd and Motorcycle industries (1973) Pte Ltd donated S$ 3,000 each. Associated Sales Corpn Pte Ltd, Ban Hock Hin Co Pte Ltd. Everitt Impex Corpn (Pte) Ltd. Genuine Store Pte Ltd, Hock Motor & Co (Pte) Ltd, Liu Tong Trading (Pte) Ltd and Tai Tong Enterprise Co. donated a sum of S$ 2,000 each.

On top of this, 112 companies in total donated sums of S$ 2,000, S$ 1,000, S$ 500, S$ 300, S$ 200, S$ 100 or S$ 50. Singapore Motor Cycle Trade Association was finally able to purchase its own home.

Development of the Association

Like many member companies, the Association came into existence from scratch and developed gradually from its primary stage into an organization that can withstand severe tests.

In the past 30 years, motorcycle business has met with all sorts of difficulties, ranging from limitations of the trade to government control of vehicle numbers to noise and environmental pollution control to motorist safety, to business rivals' obstruction and to market operation.

As the only representative body of the trade, the Association had to rely on reason, collective intelligence and firm and indomitable will to overcome every challenge.

Fortunately, with the support from all its members assistance from various sole agents and through the effort of all the committee and management committee members, the Association was thus able to protect the trade and ensure its survival and development.

Many committee members did their utmost to attend the time-consuming dialogue sessions and symposiums held by various organizations and the government in the years. They attended these meetings well prepared and were able to present the facts, reason things out during the meetings, seek understanding, accommodate and argue strongly on just grounds.

Today, despite the various limitations and restrictions the motorcycle trade is confronting, it is still able to survive and find development niches whether big or small. We should attribute our success to the cooperation and unity of our committee members and ordinary members.

Closer Contacts Amongst Members

The Association values and promotes the relationship and harmony among its fellow businessmen.

Despite the lack of funds and manpower, an Annual Dinner Party with prizes to be won is organized by the Association free of charge to all its members.

With donations and help from many committed and ordinary members, we were able to upgrade our assembly hall and install karaoke facilities. A high standard singing competition open to members only was even organized in the 2000 Annual Dinner Party.

The Association also organizes a meaningful walk-and-jog competition annually attracting some 200 to 300 participants each time. Men and women, young and old respond warmly and enthusiastically.

Looking Forward to the Future

The motorcycle trade has to keep pace with changing times too. To do this, besides becoming a member of the Singapore Chamber of Commerce and Industry, having a share in Singapore Safety Driving Centre Pte Ltd, the Association also participated in the founding of the Federation of Asian Motorcycle Industries in 1999, and is now one of its principal organizations.

The purpose of joining the Federation is to promote closer contacts with other Asian companies in the same trade, learn the latest management skills and expertise in the motorcycle trade in order to meet the arrival of the new knowledge-base economy and  society.

Motorcycles including scooters are effective transportation means for Asians including Singaporeans. As motorcycles are light, fast, easy to maintain and cheap, so although society is becoming wealthier and wealthier the demand for motorcyclists still on the increase.

In fact, fashionable and improved motorcycles are not only the breadwinning means of the middle and lower income group people, they are also the choice of fun-seeking middle and upper class youths.

The motorcycle trade is not a dying industry. The Association is certain that with strong cohesion it will have a good future. It will stride forward towards the new era and continue to make outstanding contributions to the advancement of society and the trade.