The three generations of the Chang clan share the same preference for Hyundai cars.
OFFICIALLY, Leslie Chang is a “Big Time” businessman and also the current president of the Singapore Motor Sports Association (SMSA). Unoffi cially, the aff able 52-year-old is an ambassador at large for Hyundai cars in this country, because he has put his Korean won where his mouth is by buying/using more Hyundais as private transport than (possibly) any other motorist in Singapore – eight in total. Leslie’s personal ride is a seven-year-old Azera, the 3.3-litre V6 saloon that was the most expensive (or rather, least inexpensive) model in the local Hyundai lineup at one stage. He bought his unit, a Komoco management car, in 2010. He also had a 2.7-litre V6 Tucson then, in which he tackled the China Rally three times (he’s a long-distance overland driving enthusiast).
Leslie is also a fan of the Tucson’s bigger brother, the Santa Fe 2.7 – he bought his first in 2007, sold it in 2008 and got a second one in 2009, which he used twice on the China Rally before selling it. Both Santa Fes were white, and their only diff erence was “with/without sunroof”. Besides the big-engined Hyundai sports utility vehicles, Leslie also owned a basic 1.3-litre Accent “for a happy couple of months while in between cars”. Leslie’s father, 84-year-old retiree Chang Yee Chiang, has a Matrix, a best-selling model for Hyundai agent Komoco in 2003-2004 when the Pininfarina-styled multipurpose five-seater was third on the local sales charts.
This particular Matrix has the less common 1.8-litre engine, but according to Leslie: “The asking price in the used car market for the 1.8 is similar to or slightly lower than that of the 1.6!” Leslie’s son, 25-year-old Bingo, who manages business operations for his dad, drives an Avante 1.6, which belonged to his late maternal grandfather. Prior to this, Bingo drove a Verna 1.4 for a year before it was sold to a close friend of Leslie. The Verna was a hand-medown from Bingo’s grandpa, who wanted a small and economical vehicle with a boot that could accommodate his wife’s wheelchair (the eldest Chang takes care of her full-time).
The inconvenient access to the notchback boot of the Verna didn’t bother the old gentleman until he rented a Matrix in Malaysia for a road trip. He found the hatchback’s high roof and wide-opening tailgate very convenient for his loading/ unloading of a wheelchair and other travel essentials. He even became a oneman house mover with the help of his Matrix, whose foldaway rear seats came in handy. They enabled him to transport his belongings, including small furniture, from one apartment to another. The move was completed after several return trips.
So the Verna went to Bingo and Leslie bought a used Matrix 1.8 for his dad. “When the Verna was assigned to Bingo, he was very happy, because it’s easier to drive than all the other Hyundais in the household. But as he gained confidence in his driving, he felt that the Verna could do with a little more power and comfort. These issues were addressed by the Avante. He likes it because it’s easy to drive, just like the Verna, and highly practical for his job.
However, he feels the design is dated and he’s not looking forward to the COE renewal for the car in 2017!” Yee Chiang, on the other hand, has already asked Leslie to look into renewing the COE for his Matrix when it reaches the end of its “certificate road” in February next year. Leslie drives the Matrix occasionally when he goes out with his parents. “Although the car has clocked 150,000km, it still rides well and the engine remains responsive,” he said.
He and his family have never considered Kia instead of Hyundai. The next one on Leslie’s radar is the current Santa Fe, because he has “neither an SUV nor a multi-purpose vehicle at this moment”. “But my heart says Genesis, because I miss the pampering of a luxury saloon,” he added. What does Leslie think of today’s Korean gadgets? “I handled a Samsung camera recently and was very impressed. I would place Korean electronics on a par with major Japanese brands. “The Koreans were known for making cheap cars, but now these are good and reliable, too. I must also add that Komoco’s after-sales service is among the best in the industry.”
