[EvertonDiehard]

Conspicuous consumption boosts S'poreans' sense of identity and also conveys status and importance. In land-scarce S'pore, the less affluent have to make way for the wealthy; nowhere is this more clearly apparent than in car ownership.  Car owners are perceived as wealthier and having membership to a higher social status group - not just to others, but also to themselves. We are rapidly approaching the day when only top earners would be able to possess cars. This will, in fact, make car ownership even more attractive to those who can afford it owing to its "snob appeal".