In the second COE bidding exercise for April, COE premiums see no significant change, with Cat A and E increasing slightly and Cat B dropping.

Premiums for Cat A, for cars up to 1,600cc in engine capacity and with an output of no more than 130bhp, increased by $1,510 (4.08 percent) and ended at $38,510.

Premiums for Cat B, larger cars with more than 130bhp or engine displacements larger than 1,600cc, went down by $275 (0.73 percent) and ended at $37,330.

In Cat E, the open category, prices also rose by $350 (0.92 percent), with premiums closing at $38,389.

The increase in Cat A premiums since the last tender could be caused by car sales at the recent Cars@Expo, which saw attractive promotional prices for many popular models.