Going purple with pleasure

With certificate of entitlement premiums high and retirement on the horizon, the striking Dongfeng Box might be the last car 58-year-old Andrew Tam owns

- Toh Yong Chuan

Until early 2025, Mr Andrew Tam had never owned an electric vehicle (EV) or a car in any colour other than white.

But that changed in January, when the assistant director at the Singapore Institute of Technology's (SIT) alumni office bought his first EV – a purple Dongfeng Box.

The 58-year-old was downsizing from a Volkswagen Touran multi-purpose vehicle that he owned for eight years. He initially looked at petrol-powered cars, but was drawn to the technology features of EVs and how quiet they are on the move.

He stumbled upon the Box at a road show at Singapore Expo. He had looked at other EVs, including models from BYD, Tesla and Ora, but the chic hatchback stood out.

"It was something unique. The price was reasonable and it ticked most of the boxes we were looking for," says Mr Tam, who is married to retired personal assistant Adeline Misson, 58.

He added that he was won over by the car's technological features, quiet and smooth drive, spacious interior, and overall look and feel. He paid just over $130,000, including certificate of entitlement (COE), before the trade-in price of the Touran.

While Ms Misson was also fond of the car, the couple, who do not have children, could not agree on the colour. "I wanted white, but Adeline preferred purple," Mr Tam says with a laugh. "So, we tossed a coin. And, yes, I lost."

But it turned out to be a win.