How Borrowing with High Interest Costs can Kill Businesses

Businesses need financial funding to be able to progress successfully in the marketplace. However, loans will add up and too much borrowing can lead to more liabilities for the business. Business loans are a popular or famous choice for new startup businesses besides opening a line of credit or corporate credit cards. The amount of loans borrowed differ in loan companies, with different interest rates. Thus, some rare cases involve businesses keeping themselves out of financial risk by getting investment from family and friends. That being said, we will understand in this comprehensive article about how borrowing business loans with high interest rates will slowly kill businesses.

 

Why Do Businesses Take Loans? Cash Flow

The first reason for borrowing is the cash flow that a business needs. When a business starts to operate, the profit, capital and revenue are generally low and cannot cover much of the normal expenses. Moreover, the business needs to offer salary for employee and personal expenditures – especially if the wages or salaries need to be paid punctually. Apart from its personal expenditures on labour, the business would need to pay for its rent, utilities, insurance and other significant regular expenses that are norms of a business operations. These can be covered by a business loan such as a working capital loan.

 

Potential Expansion

Your business is already doing well, and it has garnered much attention and awareness in the market. Thus, the demand for your products or services have significantly increased. What happens next is the potential business expansion that you need and this comes with new additional expenses. If your company has outgrown its current potential capacity and it requires a bigger space, that means more rental, maintenance and operational fees. This would mean that you need to receive more funds to meet the increased demand for your product or services, through a business loan like a term loan. Moreover, you have to obtain the funds to pay for manufacturing costs, hire new employees – causing an increase in funding. Thus, the amount of funds you have borrowed would also differ and depends on the extent and type of interest rates inputted.

 

Disadvantages of High Interest Loans from Borrowing

Once the business has started on its borrowing and once it starts to accumulate, the loans become extremely large till the business owner finally notices how bad the situations are. It is then difficult to recover and pay from a large amount of debt. The recovery process would take some time for the business due to its incredible large amount accumulated from high interest rates.

Firstly, the business is legally and ethically obligated to pay back the principal borrowed from the loan company along with its interest amount. Businesses that are already suffering from cash flow problems may then face a difficult time of repaying the money with its incremental and additional cost of high interests. If the principal cannot be paid on time, there will be punishment or penalties that are given to these companies.

Moreover, the previous point will lead to how debt or loan financing will affect the credit rating of a business. If the company or business is known to have a significantly greater amount of debt than equity or capital financing, it is then considered risky. What happens next is that a company with a lower credit rating generally will have to pay a higher interest rate to attract investors to invest in their business. And this means that the company or business who have to pay more interest may even experience a potential cash flow problem in the near future.

Thus, the business or company that seeks to obtain debt financing must meet the lender’s cash requirement, which means that they need to have sufficient cash on hand. And if they require even more funding in future, but still have outstanding debts, the business might potentially shut down and still have debts owing on hand. This is not an ideal situation, especially if the interest rate is extremely high. Thus, it is difficult for businesses depending on debt financing for further cash support. Some companies or businesses may even have to put up collateral to qualify for financing. And it is quite embarrassing to be owing a huge amount of debt, in an industry full of successful businesses.

 

How to Move Forward

At this point, we believe that you have understood the impact of having high interest rate borrowing from loan companies. What’s important for you then is to find a professional, reliable and affordable financing provider for your business.

As one of the top professional providers of affordable capital and financing solutions in Singapore, ETHOZ offers capital financing, SME micro loans, term loans, equipment leasing solutions, commercial vehicle financing, auto leasing, and other financial and automotive services to businesses in Singapore seeking to optimise their operations, where zero downtime, predictable operating costs and controlled cash flow outlay are paramount. For companies looking to save costs and support their cash flow, ETHOZ has a solution for you.

Evolving from its humble roots in car leasing to become a full-fledged financial solution and automotive provider, we pride ourselves in helping businesses to save costs and obtain the financing they need to grow and thrive.

If you ever need any help to support the financial aspirations of your business, you can simply reach out to a member of our team at contactus@ethozgroup.com to explore the options available to you. 

 

 

Equipment Leasing: The Way Forward in the Post COVID-19 World

As COVID-19 has disrupted many business operations, they had to learn to adapt to the unfavourable situation. It is no surprise that the demand for vehicles has weakened due to the economic disruption. This lower demand leads to lower revenue which will continue for a period of time, before the economy fully recovers.

The leasing market, on the other hand, has always been expanding in the markets through all stages of an economic cycle. It has been proven in the past to be a strong financing alternative even at times of an economic depression crisis. During the great depression back in the 1930s, companies that utilised alternative solutions of leasing out equipment have consistently performed well. Why is this so? Potential customers and clients who are badly affected by the financial crisis will seek to look for cheaper and efficient alternatives with equivalent needs to be satisfied. In this article, you will understand the good uses of equipment leasing, especially in times of an economic crisis.

 

 

Saving Costs

Equipment leasing saves your working capital that would otherwise be used if you were to make cash payment for your desired equipment. By using an equipment leasing system, you can still receive your specific equipment needs and spend at a budgeted amount. This allows you to save costs and make affordable payments over a period of time. It is an efficient system that allows you to save your money for business expenses and execute operational expansions in times of post COVID-19 situations.

 

 

Competitive Advantage

Equipment leasing gives you a competitive advantage which could help you to stay on top of the latest advances in equipment and technology. Leasing equipment also allows you to adjust as the industry progresses and increases flexibility as you can make upgrades to newer equipment. This advantage that you receive will not be possible if you choose to buy equipment, as you are stuck with it till you sell it. Thus, equipment leasing is most suitable if you have to use equipment that needs to be constantly updated with better technology and capabilities.

 

 

Repair and Maintenance

Repair and maintenance is a major factor when you purchase any piece of equipment. However, equipment leasing agreement will help businesses to avoid any incremental costs for repair and maintenance. In most circumstances, the leasing company will cover the cost of repair and maintenance equipment in the event that it breaks down or spoils. They will provide the benefit of repairing and maintaining the equipment as necessary.

 

 

What to expect in Equipment Leasing Process

When applying for an equipment lease, you can expect the process to include the following steps.

 

Step 1

First of all, you need to complete an equipment lease application. Repair and maintenance is a major concern for any piece of equipment, especially when you buy it. A leasing agreement will help businesses to avoid any costs for repair and maintenance. The leasing company, in most cases, will cover the equipment cost in the event that it breaks down, and the company will repair and maintain the equipment accordingly.

 

Step 2

Upon submitting the lease application, the company will contact you within 24 to 48 hours.

 

Step 3

Once you receive approval, you must review and finalize the lease package, including monthly payments offered by the company. You will be required to sign the documents and resubmit them to the company, along with the payment.

 

Step 4

When the company receives and accepts your documents and payments, the lease will now take effect and you are free to accept leasing delivery of the equipment and commence any upgrades necessary.

 

 

Where to Lease Equipment

When it comes to leasing equipment, it will be wise if you choose a professional company with remarkable years of experiences. The ETHOZ Group provides equipment leasing in Singapore, where you can enjoy all the profit-generating benefits and convenience of having your own equipment without the headaches of asset depreciation. This is an ideal financing option for companies looking to increase liquidity and better manage cash flow.

Equipment leasing allows you to bring in the equipment and technology your business requires without expending your working capital or business credit line. Here at ETHOZ, we understand how equipping your business with the right equipment can help increase productivity, improve efficiency and make a dramatic improvement to your bottom line. Apart from that, equipment and technology are extensions of your company’s brand that plays an important role in how your company is perceived by your customers and prospects.

If you ever need any equipment leasing solutions in Singapore, you can simply reach out to a member of our team at contactus@ethozgroup.com to explore the options available to you. If you like reading more of such content, head over to our blog to learn useful tips and case study!

 

 

How To Manage An Emergency On The Road

There are certain things that you need to know in advance whenever you go for a drive. Driving typically consists of having accidents on the roads. A car emergency preparation is one of those important things that some people don’t value. Learning how to manage a car emergency is essential and imperative, as you would’ve prepared a number of tools that can help you in traffic situations.

Whether your car has broken down on the side of the road or got involved in a minor car accident; you need to manage them properly. During a car emergency, you might be anxious and terrified, not knowing what to do especially if you’re alone. Thus, the article has a comprehensive list of ways and techniques to address a car emergency, particularly since it seems to happen in the least expected circumstances and moments.


1. Car Breaks Down

A car breakdown is one of the most common emergencies on the road. To manage the car break down, try to slowly park or move the disabled vehicle to the side of the road, or a visible area of the road.

This is to ensure the safety of the main driver and other drivers who are aware of the car breakdown. It is important as they will slow down their cars, especially on the expressway. If possible, turn on the emergency flashers to keep all other passengers away from the traffic. Call for the relevant hotline to get the car out of the traffic – car towing services.


2. Car Tire Blowout

Car tires tend to wear out after driving for a period of time. In fact, these car tires wear and tear over time even if they’re not being driven on the road. Although the car tires may appear to be in good condition, the rubber inside is actually weakening.

When you are aware of the blowout, halt the car immediately to prevent the car from flipping over. Do not use the brakes and take your stop the gas pedal and control. Slowly pull over the car towards the shoulder of the road.

If you have a spare tire at the back of the car, you can change it by yourself or get help from other car drivers. It is important that you are far enough off the main road so that you will not distract the moving traffic. If you don’t have the spare tire, call for help and follow the breakdown information.


3. Brake Failure

In the event of a brake failure, you should immediately pump the brakes and use any of its residual pressure. Then slowly stop the gas pedal and try changing to a lower gear. If possible, you can use your emergency brake to control the car. With an emergency brake handle, you can keep the button on the end pressed down so the wheels will not lock up. If you do not know how to use your emergency brake, try contacting a relevant hotline to get help.

In certain circumstances, you can look for something to rub the car against. A small fence, lamppost, or bushes would work for minimal impact on the driver and car. Try to choose an object or area that will give way when you hit against it to minimise damage to the car and to you. Once the car is stopped after hitting a particular spot, do not drive it again until the brakes are fixed.

Check for your car insurance plans to get claims for damaging the car and public areas. It’ll be favourable if you have health insurance to cover any car accidental incidents.


4. Overheating Engine

A car engine tends to overheat especially in hot weather conditions, or long hours of driving. Thus, you should always keep a watch out on the temperature gauge and prevent engine overheating. If possible, do not not drive at fast speeds for long periods of time, or drive in lower gear. Other techniques to prevent overheating engines include turning off the air conditioning.

In some cases, the car temperature warning light might come on, or points to the red zone. You should halt the car immediately and turn off the engine. Doing it early might prevent the car from catching fire. In unfortunate cases, if your engine catches fire, stop the car as soon as you can safely. Guide other drivers to leave the roadway quickly. Then get to a safe zone and call the emergency hotline to extinguish the fire and prevent possibilities of car explosion.


A Better Alternative

At this point, you might be worried about the consequences to bear for a car. Besides paying road tax, COE, insurance and maintenance fee, you have to worry about possible car emergency issues on the road. Therefore, we have provided a better alternative for you: rent a car with everything ready for you.

Renting a car will be most suitable if you are only driving a car for temporary reasons. Moreover, you don’t have to worry about the financial burden of owning a car. And if the car rental comes at a cheap and affordable rate, that’s even better!

As one of the top professional providers of affordable automotive services and car rental in Singapore, ETHOZ offers all kinds of car rental services in Singapore to drivers and business owners seeking to optimise their operations, where zero downtime, predictable operating costs and controlled cash flow outlay are paramount. Moreover, ETHOZ offers round the clocks roadside assistance (24/7) and replacement vehicles when needed. We also work with several insurance companies to support their insurance policy holders[LL6] in the event of a car accident.

Evolving from its humble roots in car leasing to become a full-fledged car rental and Automotive Solutions provider, we pride ourselves in prestigious car rental services with all sorts of features and functions to satisfy your needs. Furthermore, the quality and expertise of our fleet management team ensure that dedicated efforts and service works are offered to sustain long term relationships with everyone.

3 Ways the Automotive Industry will Be Affected In Post-COVID World

The global automotive industry saw its crisis when COVID-19 pandemic swept across the world. While the sales of automotive vehicles had fallen in January, February saw the biggest fall ever recorded in the global time series, with sales declining by 79.1%. Many businesses ranging from food and beverages to automotive industries are significantly affected by the unpredictable crisis, preparing to deal with unfavourable post-COVID situations. In this article, we will provide a comprehensive list of ways the automotive industry will be affected in post-COVID world.


Alternatives to Automotive Car Purchases

COVID-19 triggered reversal of trends such as increase in car rental services and decline in car sharing/carpooling due to social distancing. The demand for car sharing, ride-hailing or carpooling has also been impacted. While this does not really come as a surprise, more individuals have switched to the alternative of car rental services due to its wide range of customisable options. As COVID-19 has led to structural changes in shared transportation choices, professional car rental companies have come up with better solutions for all. With less usage of cars for personal use due to increase in working from home post COVID implementations, individuals have switched to car rental commutations.


Decrease in Supply Chains of Automotive Cars

The production of automotive cars was severely impacted as car factories started to close. From as early as February 2020 when COVID-19 started global widespread, most factories have suspended manufacturing due to lack of sales. The closures had a huge impact as seen in the drastic fall in the world’s auto supply chain. As the virus spread worldwide, many car factories in Asia, Europe and North America closed down, further hurting the economy.

With orders being put on hold, the slowdown in the supply chain will also postpone new car launches until the situation is relieved. In the near coming months, some factories are able to open due to existing automotive digitalization strategies.


Taxis and Private Hire Drivers

With a huge number of tourists and individuals staying at home due to the pandemic, taxi and private hire drivers are getting fewer rides. This is especially worrying for local drivers as their daily livelihoods are severely impacted by the coronavirus. However, there were some car rental operators that provided rental waivers or rebates to help their drivers pull though economically. The unexpected COVID-19 has brought cyclical impacts such as higher unemployment and lower income in the automotive industry.

The lockdown measures have further worsened the situation for taxi and private hire drivers as people are scared to grab a ride due to the virus. The effects on the labour market are particularly apparent, where the number of jobless claims has increased. This indirectly caused the drastic drop in the trend of hiring taxi and private drivers.


How to Move Forward

At this point, we believe that you have understood comprehensive ways of how the automotive industry is impacted by COVID-19. Therefore, we have provided a platform – an automotive company to answer you with professional financial solutions.

As one of the top professional providers of affordable automotive services and commercial vehicle rental in Singapore, ETHOZ offers auto leasing, capital financing equipment leasing Solutions, commercial vehicle financing, and other car rental services in Singapore to drivers and business owners seeking to optimise their operations, where zero downtime, predictable operating costs and controlled cash flow outlay are paramount.

Evolving from its humble roots in car leasing to become a full-fledged Automotive Solutions provider, we pride ourselves in prestigious automobile rental services with all sorts of features and functions to satisfy your needs. Furthermore, the quality and expertise of our fleet management team ensure that dedicated efforts and service works are offered to sustain long term relationships with everyone.

A Comprehensive Guide to Customizing Commercial Vehicles in Singapore

Most business owners know that a customized commercial vehicle can help to improve efficiency and profitability. Being able to enhance its features can help workers to quickly access more tools and supplies. This can also reduce the time taken for business processes such as making deliveries or simply attending to customer service operations. To find out more about other customisation features, read the article for a comprehensive guide.

 

Customization of Commercial Vehicles

When it comes to customizing a commercial vehicle, one will look out for components such as the open deck, box, tailgate, freezer, full canopy and half canopy. Simply customizing these features will help to enhance work efficiency and reduce time taken for certain services or operations.

For each customised configuration, we will discuss further about its implications.

Commercial vehicle customization can lead to innovative new functions and uses. It is common for a business to understand that there are many opportunities to work better and smarter by making vehicle alterations. Commercial vehicles can be redesigned and further enhanced according to how you want to work and how you can work your best.

Open Deck

The open deck allows for accessible transportation of tall or compact goods and inventions for space and load optimisation. The open deck can also be customised to suitable materials such as wooden or steel decks. These open decks are usually used in various business industries such as logistics and warehousing, as well as freight forwarding.

Box

If you are looking to customise a commercial vehicle with a box, you are probably working in a company that transports home appliances, furniture, or any medium weighted goods. In this case, you can seek to customise the commercial vehicle with a box such that it has a rear door and side sliding doors.

Tailgate

A commercial vehicle with a tailgate is able to load goods from ground level or a loading dock to the level of the vehicle bed, or both. This is usually essential in industries such as food and beverage business, home appliances, furniture, or any weighted goods. The tailgate of commercial vehicles can be customised based on the types of vehicle model and the loading and unloading requirements. The customization is made such that it helps to meet specific industrial needs.

Freezer

The freezer of a commercial vehicle is used to maintain suitable temperature for frozen goods and transporting them for the highest level of satisfaction. This is mostly used in food and beverage industries. Some examples include bakeries, confectionery shops, dairy food, agricultural and livestock manufacturers or distributors. Some freezers can be customised to include a good quality stainless steel floor or heavy-duty reinforced flooring and carpeting with high corrosion resistance and durability. Moreover, there are other wide varieties of customisation options such as single or twin compartment, standby generator and thermograph to provide customers with different purposes or choices.

Full and Half Canopy

The canopy commercial vehicles are best suited for transporting passengers and goods. They are good in protecting the transported goods from unfavourable weather conditions. Drivers can customise them in available options of full, half or inter-changeable canopy structures. These canopy vehicles are typically used in labour related works, logistics and warehousing, freight forwarding, construction, as well as food and beverages industries. Some canopy can be redesigned to different lengths and materials to keep your tools dry, secure and in optimal working conditions.

Price of Customization

Depending on what components you are seeking to enhance, the price might differ significantly. Add-in custom modifications to more complex components in larger vehicles such as the compartmentalised freezer box can be pricier. Minor enhancements to commercial vehicles components such as the canopy will be less costly.

 

Other Solutions

At this point, you might be interested to customize your commercial vehicles. But there are certain obstacles such as the selection of contractors, the vehicle’s inspection and financial cost that you have to bear for the add-ons in order to experience the advanced functions. Moreover, commercial vehicles cannot really be used for personal transportation, unlike private cars.

Thus, we have a reasonable solution for you: rent a commercial vehicle from a professional commercial vehicle rental company with everything ready for you.

Commercial vehicle rental provides the same quality that you’ll receive with vehicle customization, except at an affordable cost. You could even choose a commercial vehicle depending on what specific needs you may have. You can easily select your favourite series and save costs of maintenance fee and eliminate upfront payment for additional commercial vehicle customization features.

You can also choose between a long-term lease, and a short-term rental. If you only use commercial vehicles solely on a few events or currently own a substantial fleet of vehicles, then, it is best for you to just rent it – for convenience and cost efficiency. While meeting unique operational needs, you have kept a rein on cost efficiency.

As one of the top professional providers of affordable automotive services and commercial vehicle rental in Singapore, ETHOZ offers commercial vehicle rental in Singapore to business owners seeking to optimise their operations, where zero downtime, predictable operating costs and controlled cash flow outlay are paramount. We offer customisations for vehicles on long-term lease, and a wide range of pre-customised commercial vehicles for short-term rental.

We pride ourselves in prestigious automobile rental services with all sorts of features and functions to satisfy your needs. It is apparent that our growing strength of customers are constantly benefiting from the quality of our commercial vehicle rental services. Furthermore, the expertise of our fleet management team who provide dedicated efforts and service works has ensured our business to sustain long term relationships with all clients and customers.

Should You Rent A Car in Singapore: The Pros & Cons to Consider

Overview of Car Rental
When you rent a car, the company providing you the car is known as the car rental service provider, whereas you become the hirer. An individual can rent a car for travelling in the outside place. While utilising a car rental service, you can rent the vehicle for a specific period of time.

 

Car Rental in Singapore

Although we can travel to almost everywhere in Singapore using our remarkable public transport, we still love to rent a car for the convenience, business purpose, or just a simple reason – enjoying the air-con in our sunny island. And renting a car in Singapore is pretty easy because there is a huge range of car renting service providers including sophisticated international companies like Budget or Hertz.

The cost of car rental services differs significantly in Singapore – famous companies are definitely more expensive. Fortunately, Singapore has plenty of affordable car rental providers, so you’ve got many options.

 

Pros of Car Rental in Singapore

Many individuals feel that it is beneficial to rent a vehicle especially during an excursion for work or family. It is also convenient to rent a car when your vehicle is under repair/in the workshop for a particular time frame. To sum up, there are quite a few advantages of car rental in Singapore.

 

1. Affordable Cost

The cost of renting a car is a small amount as compared to the expense of purchasing your own vehicle. The overall cost of owning a vehicle in Singapore is incredibly high (including additional cost of road tax and COE). Car rental is a more cost-effective option if you do not intend to drive the vehicles constantly.

Short term car rentals can save you from the worries of maintenance fee and depreciation loss (wear and tear). If you don’t need a car everyday and tend to use it on special occasions only, it is best for you to just rent it to save yourself from unnecessary cost burden of insurance fee, servicing and Ministry of Transport test car inspection (MOTS).

 

2. Accessibility

There are many car rental companies out there with remarkable services. A good car rental company will give you access to a stunning variety of different cars and types. Depending on your preferences, you can observe the available options and pick your favourite car.

Although you may say buying a car also gives you unlimited choice, renting allows you to drive for shorter term needs, and readily access and switch to different vehicle types based on how your needs change—instead of being stuck with the same car you bought. Plus, if you’ve ever aspired to drive a higher-end luxury car that you can’t afford to buy, you can get a chance to experience it at a much more affordable price by renting it—without having to worry about monthly car instalments after!

 

3. Convenience

If you are hoping to spend an excursion or occasions within the city, you have the opportunity to rent a vehicle conveniently for the short term. Doubtless to say, car rental is extremely essential if you don’t have a car and you’re planning for a road trip, family hangouts or business trips in Singapore.

Unlike travelling on public transport, you can stop anytime to admire any local sights with your friends or family members. Travelling with other strangers in a public transport will only allow you to see sights in a limited view and communication. While riding on a rented car, you can also define your own route or take alternative ones conveniently.

Thus, it is safe to say that travelling in a rented car gives you convenience and more time to admire the sights with your beloved ones. There is a certain effect of adrenaline when you are driving on your own.

 

4. Comfort & Fun

Renting a car allows you take your wild adventures at your own pace without being dictated by bus and train times. Sometimes, travelling on public transport can be a hassle if your plan doesn’t go smoothly.

Travelling on a car is faster and more accessible as compared to walking, taking buses or trains. Renting a car also offers you the comfort to move around flexibly; you can dance along with the familiar tune on the radio, talk to your friends or family members in a natural tone that you want or relax and be as comfortable as you want.

 

Cons of Car Rental in Singapore

While there are many advantages for renting a car, it also comes with their cons.

 

1. Strict Rental Terms and Conditions

Some rental car companies might have a policy with stringent conditions. This is implemented so that hirers are more careful in using the vehicles.

At the end of the rental agreement, you must return the vehicle in its original condition. This means that you must take good care of the car.

 

2. No Rebates Entitlement

Hirers are not entitled to benefits of Car Ownership, for example rebates such as PARF rebates. PARF rebates are only for cars not more than 10 years old and taxis not more than 8 years old.

The newer your car or taxi is when you deregister, the more PARF rebates you will get to enjoy. To enjoy the PARF rebate, you must meet the eligibility criteria of owning a car (doesn’t apply to rentals).

 

3. Only Authorised Drivers Allowed

Only named and authorised drivers can drive the rented cars. If you intend to have more than one person driving the car, it is compulsory to add an additional named driver into the rental contract. A small additional fee will be charged for insurance coverage. Unlike a purchased car where any family member with a driving license can drive at any point in time, driving arrangements must be made beforehand for a rented car. These are additional procedures that drivers need to go through before renting the car.

 

Conclusion

Car ownership in Singapore can be rather expensive and complex. The Certificate of Entitlement (COE) is also a formidable barrier to entry for the average consumer. However, your need for convenience and accessibility can be met by car rental services in Singapore.

ETHOZ Group is a professional car rental company in Singapore with 40 years of experience. With professional services and affordable pricing, rest assured that you will have a smooth and safe trip to your destination. We provide professional car rental in Singapore with a fleet of readily available and reliable vehicles at competitive rates to meet all our customers’ needs and customisable wants. Speak to our friendly team at 66547788 or drop us an enquiry at contactus@ethozgroup.com to explore the car rental options available to you.

7 Reasons Why Your Business Should Hire A Limo Service in Singapore

A limousine, or known as limo for short, is a large and long luxury vehicle driven by a chauffeur. It consists of a very long luxury sedan (with more than four doors) driven by a professional driver. Undoubtedly, limos are very expensive luxury vehicles typically used for special occasions. However, there are a handful of benefits to hiring a limo car rental service. They are regarded as ‘royal vehicles’, which is highly honored by companies who hire the service. There has been an uprising trend of limo car rentals for special occasions due to its numerous advantages. In Singapore, more people are considering hiring a limo service. Thus, we have summarised a comprehensive list of benefits of using a limo service in Singapore.


1. Reliability

The price and features of a limo have far exceeded the quality of a normal car. Thus, companies wouldn’t want to exclude the element of quality while providing a limo service. Like a ‘royal vehicle’, limo service means a lot to the ones who provide it. Thus, you can rest assured that the ride will be punctual, convenient, luxurious, top-notch and comfortable. Wherever you want to travel, you won’t have a bumpy ride. Due to such reasons, many people are opting to get a limo service for an airport transportation service as well.


2. Security

With quality based service, you will be safe in the limo vehicle, as well as on the road. Companies providing a limo service have strict measures and regulations while choosing their driver and providing the car. Experienced drivers, all of whom have been screened in detail and extensively trained in safety driving, are selected to secure the safety of the passengers. Besides, these drivers possess professional traits such as politeness, calmness, and courtesy. Respecting the passengers’ time and privacy is also imperative in the industry. In overall, punctuality, safety, and trustworthiness are desirable qualities of limo drivers. All conversations and actions in the back of the car remain private and confidential. Thus, you can rest assured that the one driving is more than a normal professional.


3. Prestige

For your guest, being chauffeured in a limo is a sign of visible prestige that cannot be understated, not only because he is riding in a polished car—which is constantly renewed—but also because the car has every comfort thanks to its features.

A local limo service would include every important feature in the vehicle. A limo car rental company will try its best to leave a lasting impression on passengers by walking the extra mile. For instance, there will be added-on features such as availability of iced drinks or beverages, food and music in the car. Moreover, the internal looks of some limo vehicles are well-decorated and aesthetically pleasing.


4. Privacy

Sometimes, you want your ride to be completely private. The limo is spacious and long enough for you or your friends to have some time for yourselves. Unlike a normal car service, the limo service provides a private and comfortable setting for all. Professional limo services have:

  • Drivers who have received confidentiality training
  • Confidentiality procedures for maintaining privacy between passengers and the driver


5. Comfort

All the above benefits mentioned contributed to a limo service being more comfortable than any other car services. A limo service provides reliability, security, privacy and comfort for their passengers. Imagine having a spacious internal car space with comfortable seats in the vehicle. With almost nothing to complain of, a limo service is perfect for anyone. The flawless service makes you want to experience a limo service again.


6. Price

Above all, we understand that a limo service is generally more expensive than any other car rentals. However, a limo handles more than a single service for the passenger. Moreover, it is spacious enough to drive more than 10 passengers. This means that the price can be equally divided among passengers – your friends or family. Most importantly, the car service is cost efficient, as more than one person is paying for the facilities that a limo offers – the price is considerably affordable.


7. Efficiency

Traffic delays, timely detours, and road barriers are obstacles that can be avoided. By using a professional limo service, you get a dedicated staff that is able to track traffic patterns and monitor local traffic reports to make sure that the most efficient route is taken. With a limo service, all you have to worry about is making sure that you have your belongings with you. Every other thing will be handled.

Days like your prom or wedding night only take place once in a lifetime. Therefore, make these events more memorable by gracing them with a limo. One limousine has enough room to hold the bride and her bridal train. It is also large enough for a ladies night out. You are guaranteed of a comfortable ride before and after the event. Additionally, pictures of you arriving in a limousine will look outstanding.

Weigh all the aforementioned benefits against the cost involved in hiring a limo service, and think about what matters to you most. If the benefits outweigh the costs, you know the next thing to do.


Find out about Limo Hiring Service in Singapore

For those individuals who are seeking to find out more about hiring limo services in Singapore, it is important to do some research using an ample amount of time to prevent any possible hiccups. At ETHOZ Group, we provide a wide spectrum of car rental services – all individually customised to suit customers’ unique needs and requirements. You can find affordable limousine service and chauffeur service in Singapore at ETHOZ Group, giving you complete peace of mind for airport transfers and M.I.C.E events such as corporate travel, conventions and roadshows. While ensuring your comfort with our polished fleet that are rigorously revolving around safety and security, we perform detailed background screenings of our drivers and ensure they pass extensive in-house conducted safety training courses prior to assignment.

If you ever need any car rental services or financing solutions in Singapore that provides everything you need, you can take a look at our limo car hiring services or simply reach out to a member of our team at contactus@ethozgroup.com to explore the options available to you.

Different types of Financing in the Singapore Market

Business financing is the process of funding business activities, making purchases, or investments. The financial markets in Singapore are well-established and financially stable. Comprising different financial sectors, our country is certainly a profitable financial hub.

Overall, there are many different types of business financing in the Singapore market, such as banking (especially investment banking and treasury activities), wealth management, insurance and capital market services (capital financing equipment leasing, auto leasing and commercial vehicle financing).

 

Banking 

The common term of banking is an industry that handles cash, credit, and other financial transactions. Banks play an essential role in the economy by providing a financial service for people wishing to save and offering finance to businesses who wish to invest and expand. These continual loans and business investment are important for enabling economic growth in the country. On a company’s cash flow bank statement, there is a section that is also known as cash flow from financing activities, which summarizes how the business was funded over a particular period. The financial activities include:

 

  • Issuing debt to raise money
  • Repaying debt
  • Issuing equity to raise money
  • Repurchasing equity
  • Paying dividends

 

The bank is a safe place to store extra cash and credit for customers and organizations. The bank offers financial transaction services such as savings accounts, certificates of deposit, and checking accounts. Banks use these deposits to make loans such as home mortgages, business loans, educational loans and car loans. However, the trend of car loans has been declining. This is due to the advantage of car leasing, which generates a lower cost of acquiring and maintaining the car. Moreover, car leasing requires little or no down payment, and monthly leasing fees are usually lower than car loan payments. At ETHOZ, we offer professional car leasing services for all individuals, organisations, and companies. We are also flexible when it comes to the cost of car rentals, offering a comprehensive range of financing solutions tailored to meet your budget constraints.

 

Wealth Management

Wealth management is an investment advisory service that combines other financial services to address the needs of affluent clients. Wealth management refers simply to money management, in all its aspects. Wealth management firms make money by charging fees for the various services they provide. In addition, wealth management firms provide clients with brokerage accounts, so clients can access virtually any type of investment. In addition to investment services, wealth management clients are provided with tax planning, estate planning, and retirement planning services. Wealth management requires a team of highly skilled and professional investment management advisors, along with a wealth manager to direct them. Wealth management is important and it involves more than just an investment advice. The process encompasses all parts of a client’s financial life. A client will benefit from a holistic approach that brings together several services to meet their specific financial goals. In another word, the client no longer has to obtain different pieces of financial advice from different sources.

Wealth management can help to maintain a client’s wealth and guide them in meeting their specific financial objectives. For instance, many wealth management solutions are tailored for particular clients. These solutions take into account a client’s current financial status, future goals, current wealth and other significant factors.

 

Insurance 

Insurance is a type of coverage that is available to help you pay for damage to your property, car, medical bills etc. Likewise, it can be used to pay others on your behalf when you injure someone or damage their property. Insurance is a contract that transfers the risk of financial loss from an individual or business to a legitimate insurance company. It is extremely important as it helps to stimulate financial stability while promoting trade and commerce activities. This results in a sustainable economic growth and development in the country.

In another word, it is a type of business financing that uses probability and large numbers to determine the cost of insurance premiums charged to the clients based on various risk factors. The rate of returns must be realistically sufficient for the company to pay claims and expenses in the future, while making a reasonable profit, but not so much that it turns away potential customers. Insurance companies market their products and services to consumers in different ways. The price companies charge for insurance coverage is subject to government regulation. At ETHOZ, we provide a comprehensive range of auto solutions for authorised accident reporting and repair centre for the major insurance companies in Singapore, making us a one-stop reporting and insurance claim service centre for our customers’ complete convenience and peace of mind.

 

Capital Market 

The capital market plays an extremely important role in channeling savings into productive investments for the country’s development of commerce and industry. These markets mobilize savings in an economy and divert them into productive investment. As a result, the capital market significantly helps in the capital formation and economic growth of the country.

The capital market also refers to a huge spectrum of tradeable assets that includes the stock market as well as other trading different financial products such as capital financing equipment leasing, auto leasing and commercial vehicle financing. A capital lease is usually long-term and non-cancellable and is used to lease equipment that the organisation wants to use in the long term or buy at the end. At ETHOZ, we offer a range of services that includes capital financing equipment leasing solutions and integrated automotive solutions like auto leasing and commercial vehicle financing. We are proud to be appointed by Enterprise Singapore to provide loans.

 

Find Out More about Business Financing in Singapore

For those individuals who are seeking to find out more about business financing in Singapore, it is important to do some research using an ample amount of time to prevent any possible hiccups. At ETHOZ Capital Ltd, we provide a wide spectrum of capital financing solutions – all individually customised to suit customers’ unique needs and requirements.

Take a look at our business financing solutions or simply reach out to a member of our team at contactus@ethozgroup.com to explore the options available to you. If you like reading more of such content, head over to our news to learn useful tips and case studies that can help your business!

 

 

5 Driving Tips To Keep You Safe On Singapore’s Road

Car safety is often one of the last things most people consider before purchasing a vehicle. Before buckling up your seatbelt for a ride, it is extremely important to keep in mind the importance of safe driving in the road. No one will admit to being a careless driver, but the truth is driving offenses are inevitable. Most of us, at one point or another, are distracted while driving behind the wheel on the road.

As a small country, Singapore is known for its financial and transport stability. However, due to its small island size, the roads are easily cluttered and crowded with cars (which led to the implementation of road tax or ERP). To drive legally in Singapore, you will need a car license. While most locals own a vehicle, others will rent them (drivers under the age of 23 are not allowed to rent a car).

Seeing how there were at least 15 road accidents in the first few weeks of ‘Phase Two’ in Singapore, it seems like many have misplaced the importance of safe driving. In order to better improve the safety of all drivers and passengers, we’ve put together a comprehensive list of safe driving tips to keep you safe on Singapore’s roads.


1. Drive Attentively

It is significant to drive with full attention to avoid possible accidents. Most Singaporeans lead hectic working lives, so it is important to avoid driving while suffering from severe lack of sleep.

If you think you are tired, stressed, or unwell, take a break from driving or drive out to the nearest exit. The chances of you falling sleep are high and driving in such a state is unwise. Driving with zero concentration will affect your judgment and get you behind the steering wheel. Consequently, it will slow down your reaction time and you might experience a blurry vague vision. Thus, driving while being tired is extremely risky and most go into an ‘autopilot’ (dozing) mode when they are too tired.


2. Do Not Use Your Mobile Phones

While a law was passed in 1999 to prohibit the use of mobile phones while driving, some drivers are easily distracted to look at their devices. In fact, more than 8 in 10 Singapore drivers

Inevitably, drivers who use a mobile phone are more prone to crash their vehicle. Mobile devices are one of the biggest distractions as drivers pay full attention to them – taking their hands, mind and vision off the road.

Thus, if you happen to be a passenger in a car with a distracted driver, you need to intervene with the driver to focus on driving safely.


3. Drive at a Safe Speed

One of the first things that cause you to revoke your driving license is the act of speeding. If you were to take a few seconds off the road, you might be in for an unpleasant incident the next moment.

As the terminology suggests, when you drive at high speeds, things can happen a little bit faster than you expect. The faster the vehicle is moving, the longer it takes for it to do your bidding when you apply the brakes. The sheer physics of a collision at high speeds should be enough deterrence. The transfer of energy is immaculate due to higher momentum, which can cause major injuries.

It is always beneficial to drive slowly and pre-empt yourself for any upcoming obstacles while driving. By driving slowly, you can easily control your car to safety when there are obstacles ahead. It gives you more time to react in unforeseeable situations. This also helps you to maintain a safe distance from the car in front.


4. Don’t Drink and Drive

Driving while being drunk is extremely dangerous and drivers with high blood alcohol content are at greater risk of car accidents, injuries and even death. Alcohol is water-soluble and is immediately absorbed in the bloodstream. This causes more blood to be supplied to the brain than to other organs. As a result, it will significantly impair brain function within minutes. This affects one’s attentiveness and cognitive ability to make quick decisions and reactions on the road.

Undoubtedly, drinking can cause an individual to become rather drowsy and sleepy. It affects your ability to make accurate and sensible judgment (basically you have zero sanity when you’re drunk). This is clearly not something desirable as car accidents are highly possible and you might not even reach your destination. Besides getting someone killed or badly injured, one will be charged with heavy penalties for drink driving and lose his/her driving license.


5. Give your Car Regular Check-ups

If you have a car, it can be common to ignore any type of maintenance unless something goes wrong. This is not a good practice and rather, you should regularly check your car – fundamental processes such as changing your oil, checking your tire pressure and getting scheduled inspections will keep your vehicle healthy and workable.

Cars consist of many wear and tear components, such as tyres, brakes, and other small components. Thus, regular check-ups with the car doctor are important to maintain it in control and healthy on the road.

Most car lovers already know how important regular check-ups are, but it’s still important to continue emphasising this factor for people who don’t consider themselves interested in how their car operates. A simple mechanical failure can cause the most cautious driver to get into an accident. This is why you should always keep your car in perfect working condition, for the safety of yourself and other road users.

These driving tips will definitely help to guide you in your driving journey! Henceforth, you can travel in a car safely with your friends and family!

At ETHOZ, you can rent our cars and travel around Singapore safely. Heading for car rental is also a good way to enjoy convenience and safety without the extra commitment of buying your own car.

4 Business Costs You Could Be Saving On in 2020

Every business requires reliable cash flow to stay afloat — especially when times get tough. But choosing where to spend and where to save is a difficult decision for anyone running a business. The coronavirus situation has undoubtedly put a dent on the finances of many businesses which has made it even more important to adopt cost-cutting strategies to control expenditures and maintain positive cash flow.

Identifying non-essential costs and strategically cutting them can help you keep up your profits and prepare for life post-COVID-19. For businesses that are trying to cut expenses to boost your cash flow, here are some business costs you should be saving on to maintain your market presence.

 

 

Reduce Vehicle Expenses

If you are running a business that requires a fleet of vehicles, you should be well aware by now how exorbitant vehicle costs can be. From fuel to servicing costs, especially for larger vehicles, these vehicle expenses can end up affecting your finances greatly if not managed effectively.

 

 

Commercial Vehicle Leasing

One way to reduce vehicle costs would be to not pay in full for the vehicle, to begin with. In other words, you can greatly cut your vehicle costs by engaging in vehicle leasing. Leasing a vehicle comes with certain advantages such as paying fixed monthly costs, leaving the maintenance and repair works to the leasing company as well as the ability to return the vehicles once the leasing period comes to an end.

At ETHOZ, we offer commercial vehicles of all configurations and customisations to meet your unique needs, allowing you to focus on the parts of your business which matters most. If your finances are tight or you are a business that is just starting out, leasing vehicles is a cost-efficient solution that will allow you to have better control of your cash flow. For the month of September, we are having a promotion for one of the top van rental options – NV200 van rental. For more information, drop us an enquiry or call us at 66547788.

 

 

Eliminate non-essential costs

 

Downsizing your office space

With many companies still adhering to work-from-home policies, it might be a good time for companies to assess their current office space to consider downsizing in the interests of cutting costs. If you run a particularly small business, it might be a more economical option to relocate to a smaller office space which will inevitably help you save on rental fees. In addition, with fewer renters seeking commercial spaces for rent at the moment, businesses can use this opportunity to negotiate favorable terms and conditions to be included in their leasing contracts.

Another option small teams can explore would be coworking spaces, which can be a great option to save on administrative costs especially with most of the team working from home indefinitely in many parts of Singapore.

 

 

Look for Alternative Affordable Options

While it is important for businesses to make investments to earn money, the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us that it is always important to have cost-saving strategies in place to survive any unprecedented impact on the economy. For instance, for companies that regularly make wholesale supply purchases, finding the best deals on the supplies you need can help cut supply costs greatly and help you better manage your finances.

Also, since many businesses are unable to accommodate foot traffic in their physical stores, investing in affordable digital sales strategies and moving their sales online could greatly reduce operational costs and engage customers to shop digitally. Seeking such cheaper alternative options can help businesses stay afloat even when the economy has taken a hit.

 

 

Seek Financing Solutions

Another way businesses can save costs is by seeking business financing options that best fit the requirements of your business so that you can enjoy the financial freedom it offers.

For instance, at ETHOZ, we offer a variety of loans ranging from working capital loans to term loans and even renovation loans which can help your business save costs and keep your daily operations running smoothly. Whether you’re looking for a technology upgrade or securing investment for your business, you can obtain easy access to our funds at competitive rates so that you can focus on growing your business.

 

 

Streamline Your Marketing Efforts

If you have yet to analyse and update your marketing mix according to what works, you may find that doing so will help you cut down on your expenditures greatly. For some businesses, you may spend money on different forms of marketing, out of which some of them may not be as effective in delivering the desired results.

Look for the areas of marketing where you have been investing a significant portion of your finances but are not producing results. Once you have identified these areas, looking for alternative and less expensive ways to get your message across can help you cut costs and utilise your marketing budget as effectively as possible.

 

 

Financing Options for Businesses in Singapore 

Running a business successfully during the pandemic can be a challenging and stressful period for many business owners. The challenge for many businesses is finding ways to reduce their costs without lowering the quality of their products or decreasing output