E20: Twitter becomes X, Grab buys Trans-cab, Temu enters South Korea, and EV motorcycles in Indonesia
whatshot 20 snips
Jul 28, 2023
Elon Musk's bold rebranding of Twitter into 'X' raises questions about its future as an everything app. Temu's explosive growth into 27 countries and its leap into South Korea spotlights its potential to disrupt the e-commerce scene. Meanwhile, Grab's acquisition of Trans-Cab aims to tackle ride-hailing challenges in Singapore, blending traditional taxis with modern ride services. Lastly, Maka Motors delves into the Indonesian EV motorcycle market, tackling roadblocks in battery life and supply chains.
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insights INSIGHT
Swift Rebrand To Build An Everything App
Elon Musk rapidly rebranded Twitter to "X" aiming to build an "everything app" inspired by WeChat.
The move was fast, public, and raised doubts about planning, IP and cultural language loss.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Branding Creates Awkward Everyday Language
The hosts joked that "X" makes normal sentences awkward, e.g., "I sent an ex" sounds inappropriate.
They compared room names at X's HQ like S3XY and E-Xposure as examples of odd branding choices.
insights INSIGHT
Single-Letter Rebrands Are Legally And Practically Risky
Trademarking a single letter like X is legally complex and offers weak distinctiveness.
The hosts observed the new logo was minimal and changes were made in public real time.
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Elon Musk, the visionary entrepreneur, stunned the tech world with Twitter's rapid rebranding into "X," marking the beginning of the platform's ambitious transformation into an "everything app." Aligning with Musk's vision for an all-encompassing superapp like China's WeChat, Twitter's transition to X has sparked curiosity and skepticism due to its apparent lack of planning and surprising speed. However, as the platform undergoes this metamorphosis, we explore the potential implications for language and culture, considering the legacy of Twitter's iconic influence.
Next, we turn our focus to Temu, the rising star in the e-commerce realm, now boasting a presence in an astounding 27 countries, including its latest venture into South Korea. As we unpack Temu's rapid growth and strategic expansion, we ponder the possibilities of the company venturing into Southeast Asia (SEA), potentially challenging established players like Shopee, Lazada, AliExpress, and TikTok Shop. We explore the factors fueling Temu's success, the potential impact on SEA's e-commerce landscape, and how this enterprising company is poised to transform the global e-commerce market.
In the realm of ride-hailing, Grab has made a significant move by acquiring Trans-cab, Singapore's third-largest licensed taxi operator. With the aim of addressing supply-demand dynamics, Grab's strategic acquisition signals a departure from the traditional ride-hailing model. We analyze the implications of Grab's ownership of a taxi fleet, potential strategies in other Southeast Asian markets, and the implications for ride-hailing consumers and drivers alike.
Shifting gears to Indonesia's electric vehicle (EV) market, we explore the rise of Maka Motors, a homegrown EV maker founded by GoJek executives. With a recent seed funding of $37.6 million, Maka Motors is set to play a pivotal role in Indonesia's electrification journey. As projections indicate a booming EV market in Indonesia, we discuss the potential impact on the automotive landscape and how Maka Motors aims to drive innovation and sustainability in the region.
Referenced in this episode:
Who is Temu?
https://momentum.asia/product/who-is-temu/
Temu enters South Korea
https://thelowdown.momentum.asia/temu-enters-south-korea/
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