ELECTRONIC gadgets for cars are growing in popularity in Myanmar, with drivers installing everything from fancy lighting to sophisticated satellite-mounted tracking systems on their vehicles, while sales of car audio systems are also booming.
Reflecting this trend, the number of stores in Yangon selling electronic accessories for vehicles is also growing.
Among the most popular items they stock are remote starters and door-lockers, security alarm systems, reversing or parking sensors and neon lighting to decorate the interior or exterior of the vehicle.
“Remote starters and remote door-lockers are very popular. Customers like the convenience of being able to unlock their doors and start their engines remotely,” said Ko Naing Win from Star Jet Automobile Store.
He said most of these gadgets were imported from Thailand, Taiwan and China.
Prices for a remote starter begin at about K50,000 while a remote door-locker can range from K40,000 to K120,000.
The fear of theft is also driving customers to install electronic security measures and alarm systems, said a salesman in a vehicle accessories shop in Tamwe Township. Alarm prices range from K50,000 to K80,000.
The salesman said these items had become essential accessories for many vehicle owners, adding that reversing and parking sensors were also very much in demand.
“With a sensor installed, the driver can keep an eye on the rear of the vehicle while reversing and parking,” he said. The device costs about K1 million.
Other gadgets new to the local market include neon lights, brake lights, sign lights and smoke detectors.
“Depending on the size, style and colour, brake lights and sign lights are usually priced from K5000 to K20,000,” he said.
Two Yangon-based companies, Cho Cho IT Development Company and Design Printing Services (DPS) have introduced Myanmar’s first global positioning system (GPS), which hit the local market last year.
“The system enables vehicle owners to know exactly where a vehicle is located at any time,” said U San Minn, data manager of DPS.
He said the vehicles are fitted with a GPS unit, which contains the date and software needed to track the vehicle’s progress on a computerised map.
The software for the system was designed by the Cho Cho IT development company, while the map was created by Design Printing Services. The software also calculates fuel consumption and the total distance travelled, said U San Minn. GPS data will also show where the car has travelled.
“If the car has taken the same path twice, this will also appear on the map,” he said “The software for the tracking system is priced at US$400, while the GPS unit costs $275 but the software and GPS units are also available for purchase in local currency,” U San Minn said, adding that GPS units are also available for rental.
Myanmar motorists are also finding new and inventive ways of making the driving experience fun again, even with second-hand vehicles.
One of the most popular options is installing an audio system, which can range widely in price. Until 2006, most customers bought second-hand audio equipment from Japan but since then the market for new in-car sound systems has expanded.
“It doesn’t matter if your car is new or old, anybody can deck out their car with all kinds of audio equipment. If you use top brands for the whole car, it can cost up to K5 million while at the cheaper end, it can be done for about K50,000,” says Ko Kyaw Kyaw, the owner of Pyae Pyae car audio store.
Some car enthusiasts are reinventing their ride to give it a sports car feel by changing seats, steering wheel, and interior and exterior design features.
At the cheaper end of the scale, other popular accessories include air fresheners, sun covers. As many foreigners will attest, windscreen wipers – considered a necessity in most countries – are seen as an accessory in Myanmar.
“In summer, the most popular car accessories are sun cover stickers and curtains,” said Ma Sandar, owner of Fancy World car accessories. “But in the rainy season, wipers and sand covers are more important.”
