Want to find out your car's market value without pouring through the classifieds or going through dodgy car salesmen?

Your neighbourhood branch of the Automobile Association (AA) of Singapore might soon be able to help.

AsiaOne Motoring learnt of AA's new plans for expansion through Mr Lee Wai Mun, CEO of the Automobile Association of Singapore, at the AA Centennial Charity Gala Dinner on November 16th at the Ritz Carlton Millenia.

AA's headquarters is currently located at 336 River Valley Road, and sits on prime real estate.

"Do we specifically need to be in River Valley? I say it's an advantage, but more and more, in the coming years, we will need to reach out," said Mr Lee.

Mr Lee however, declined to say exactly how many branch offices there might be, or the time they would take to set up, saying it was still early days. 

From left: Mr Lee Wai Mun (CEO, AA S'pore), President S R Nathan, and Mr Bernard Tay (President, AA S'pore)

Also on the cards is an increase to the the organisation's headcount of over 200 staff.

Elaborating on the plans for expansion, Mr Lee said "We need to recruit more people who can identify with the segments of the membership that we want to reach out to."

STAYING RELEVANT

While AA Singapore may have organised a whole slew of events this year for its 77,000 plus members, the challenge appears to be how to continue appealing to the whole spectrum of motorists.

Mr Lee told us that AA would be looking more at member-generated ideas and events to keep interest levels high, while serving their basic motoring needs.

Some of the ideas thrown up for 2008 include driving trips to Thailand, golf sessions at exclusive clubs, wine tasting, and even English Premier League screening sessions.

Above: Australian entertainer Kane Alexander belting out Broadway favourites

REACHING OUT

While AA's centennial year has been filled with activities for its existing members, perhaps more needs to be done to educate potential members.

Mr Lin Ying Feng, a music tutor, said that although he had heard of AA and its services, he was never actually invited or provided the opportunity to join.

"Nobody planted the idea of joining AA in my head when I went to buy my car," said the 31-year-old, who drives a one-year-old Mitsubishi Lancer.

"Maybe they should offer membership as a package together with car loans and insurance"

MOTORING BEYOND 100

Above: Mr Bernard Tay and President S R Nathan with 'Motoring Beyond 100'

The guest-of-honour for the AA Centennial Charity Gala Dinner was President S R Nathan, who helped launch a special commemorative coffee table book, 'Motoring Beyond 100'.

The book is a rich visual account of Singapore's motoring history and spans the Great Depression, two world wars, plus a split from the Automobile Association of Malaya.

The book will be available for sale from January 2008 at the AA Centre (336 River Valley Road, #03-00 Singapore 238366). Price to be confirmed.