Cat A COE premiums rise while Cat B and E dip slightly

In the first November round of COE bidding, premiums increased for Cat A, Cat B and Cat E categories saw premiums falling ever so slightly. 

Premiums for Cat A, for cars up to 1,600cc in engine capacity and with an output of no more than 130bhp, went up by $1,677 (3.3 percent) to end the bidding tender at $52,668.

Premiums for Cat B, larger cars with more than 130bhp or engine displacements larger than 1,600cc, fell by $204 (0.4 percent) and closed at $56,206. 

In Cat E, the open category, prices decreased by $340 (0.6 percent), with premiums closing at $56,340.

The increase in Cat A premiums can be attributed to the shrinkage in COE quota (94 fewer), combined with an increase in demand for Cat A COEs, with more than 200 additional bids from the previous tender excercise. With COE premiums for Cat B and E dipping by less than one percent, it appears that demand for larger capacity cars is holding relatively steady.