January 2026 COE Results 1st Bidding: Not a totally happy new year so far for new car buyers, with Cat A making a U-turn towards the $100k mark but Categories B and E inching up

In the first COE bidding exercise of January 2026, Cat A closed at $102,009; Cat B closed at $119,100; Cat C closed at $75,503; Cat D closed at $8,689; while Cat E closed at $122,000.

Cat A (car up to 1600cc & 130bhp, and EV with up to 110kW) received 1,658 bids for 1,285 COEs and its premium dipped by $7,492. Category A COE closed at $102,009.

Cat B (car above 1600cc or 130bhp, and EV with more than 110kW) received 1,128 bids for 824 COEs and its premium climbed by $3,998. Category B COE closed at $119,100.

Cat C (goods vehicle and bus) received 394 bids for 287 COEs and its premium decreased by $1,500. Category C COE closed at $75,503.

Cat D (motorcycle) received 639 bids for 544 COEs and its premium increased by $608. Category D COE closed at $8,689.

Lastly, Cat E (all vehicles except motorcycle) received 528 bids for 278 COEs and climbed by $3,000. Category E COE closed at $122,000.

Motorist wished several motor-trade senior executives a happy new year and then asked them for their price predictions of the next COE bidding round, which will be from January 19 to 21.  

Lee Hoe Lone, managing director of Premium Automobiles (Zeekr, Xpeng, DEEPAL, AVATR), replied: “I think COE will rise after Singapore Motorshow. Cat A will probably see a higher increase.”

Ng Choon Wee, commercial director of Hyundai under Komoco Motors, responded: “Today's result is not surprising. Although it's been three weeks, the market remains relatively slow as most people are out for holidays. They are also anticipating better promos at Singapore Motorshow. This is the first bid with the new VES and EEAI, which saw most models increasing prices from last bid. I expect an uptake in orders from the motorshow and COE will likely increase on 21 January. Cat A may be up by $10k and Cat B up by $8k to $10k.”

Vincent Ng, automotive consultant to Vincar Group (GAC, Aion and Hyptec), told us: “Sure up, but moderately. Cat A will go up to $109k and Cat B to $130k.”

Ron Lim, Tan Chong Motor’s head of Nissan sales and marketing, said: “Given the anticipation by customers on the ground for Singapore Motorshow and the higher backlog, it’s definitely going to put pressure on COE prices. So chances of going higher are there, as already indicated by the higher Open Cat COE price.”

Corinne Chua, managing director of Volvo Car Singapore under Wearnes Automotive, said: “With the drop in A and the widening gap between Cat A and Cat B, the interest will move to Cat A cars and A is likely to go up.”

Nicholas Wong, CEO of Kah Motor Honda, said: “I think for three weeks’ period, the results have been quite muted. With upcoming motorshow, bookings will be up again. As to how much COE will rise is anyone else’s guess.”

Jason Lim, managing director of Eurokars’ BMW and MINI dealerships, told Motorist: “SGMS (Singapore Motorshow) should renew buying interest.”

Here is a summary of the first COE bidding exercise for January 2026: