Mass Market Car Premiums Hit $123,010 as Category A Exceeds Premium COE Prices Again

Singapore mass-market car COE prices hit $123,010, surpassing luxury premiums for the second time in two months. Read the full editorial market analysis.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 22, 2026, 8:46 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from The Straits Times

The Rare Inversion of Singapore Automotive Entitlements

The Singapore car market experienced a notable shift on April 22 as Category A Certificate of Entitlement (COE) rates climbed to $123,010, effectively overtaking the premium Category B market. This 4.2 percent increase reflects a persistent demand for smaller, less powerful vehicles and mass-market electric cars, which now command a higher entry price than their luxury counterparts. This inversion, while historically uncommon, appears to be gaining frequency within the current bidding landscape, as buyers and dealers navigate a highly competitive quota system.

Stability in the Luxury Segment Amidst Rising Entry Costs

While the cost of entry-level car ownership spiked, the Category B premium, reserved for larger and more powerful vehicles, showed remarkable stasis. The price for these luxury-tier certificates held firm at $121,001, matching the exact figure recorded during the previous tender exercise on April 8. This lack of movement in the premium segment suggests a temporary ceiling or a shift in bidding aggression toward the smaller car category, where the price gap has now flipped in favor of the traditionally more expensive tier.

Escalating Volatility in Open Category Bidding

The Open category, or Category E, which provides the most flexibility for vehicle registration, also saw a significant upward trajectory in the latest exercise. Rising by 3.3 percent, these transferable certificates reached a price point of $125,002, up from $121,001. Motor traders often utilize these permits to register larger cars without the constraints of specific tender windows, and the rising cost here signals a broader expectation of high demand across the most versatile segments of the automotive market.