Executive Summary
The COE bidding exercises for August 2026 concluded with an upward trend across nearly all vehicle categories. While Category A saw a notable increase of over $4,600 between the first and second rounds, the Open Category (Category E) continued to command the highest premiums, finishing the month at $135,000. Commercial vehicles (Category C) provided the only reprieve for buyers, recording a marginal price dip in the second exercise.
First Bidding Exercise Results
| Vehicle Class | Quota | Bids Received | Bids Success | Premium (SGD) | Over-subscription % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category A | 1,226 | 1,522 | 1,220 | $123,890 | 124.1% |
| Category B | 926 | 1,316 | 913 | $129,910 | 142.1% |
| Category C | 315 | 465 | 311 | $91,545 | 147.6% |
| Category D | 521 | 591 | 518 | $10,503 | 113.4% |
| Category E | 254 | 443 | 208 | $131,000 | 174.4% |
Second Bidding Exercise Results
| Vehicle Class | Quota | Bids Received | Bids Success | Premium (SGD) | Over-subscription % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category A | 1,197 | 1,600 | 1,193 | $128,501 | 133.7% |
| Category B | 936 | 1,316 | 930 | $131,001 | 140.6% |
| Category C | 306 | 446 | 294 | $90,002 | 145.8% |
| Category D | 512 | 686 | 501 | $11,301 | 134.0% |
| Category E | 254 | 467 | 239 | $135,000 | 183.9% |
Detailed Analysis
Bidding Competition
Demand remained robust throughout August, particularly for the Open Category (Category E), which ended the month with a staggering over-subscription rate of 183.9%. Category A also saw a sharp rise in competition during the second round, with bids received jumping from 1,522 to 1,600 despite a slightly reduced quota. This suggests a sense of urgency among buyers in the small car segment.
Premium Movements
The most significant movement occurred in Category A, where premiums rose by $4,611 (3.72%) between the two bidding rounds. Category B (larger cars) remained relatively stable with a modest $1,091 (0.84%) increase. Interestingly, Category D (motorcycles) saw the highest percentage jump of 7.6% in the second round, rising from $10,503 to $11,301. Category C was the outlier, with premiums softening by 1.69%, likely due to a cooling in commercial fleet demand.
Category Performance
Category E continues to be the primary indicator of market sentiment, reaching $135,000. The narrowing gap between Category A ($128,501) and Category B ($131,001) in the second round indicates that the premium for smaller, less powerful cars is rapidly approaching that of larger luxury vehicles, a trend often seen during periods of tight supply.
What This Means for Car Buyers
Category A Buyers (Small Cars)
The $4,611 jump in the second round suggests that wait-and-see tactics may be risky. With over-subscription rates rising, those who need a vehicle for immediate use should be prepared for premiums to stay elevated above the $125,000 mark.
Category B Buyers (Larger Cars)
Category B premiums have shown relative stability compared to Category A. If the price gap continues to narrow, some buyers might find better value in upgrading to a Category B vehicle, as the price premium over Category A is currently less than $3,000.
Commercial and Motorcycle Buyers
Category C buyers should take advantage of the slight dip in prices, though the market remains volatile. Motorcycle buyers (Category D) should note the 7.6% surge, which signals a return of strong demand in the two-wheeler market after a period of relative calm.
Overall, the August 2026 data reflects a market characterized by high demand and limited supply. Prospective buyers should monitor upcoming quota announcements closely, as any further reduction in supply could push premiums even higher in the final quarter of the year.