August 2026 COE Results 1st Bidding: COE bidders contributed to SG61 nation-building with over $339 million of fresh quota premiums

In the first COE bidding exercise of August 2026, Cat A closed at $123,890; Cat B closed at $129,910; Cat C closed at $91,545; Cat D closed at $10,503; while Cat E closed at $131,000.

Cat A (car up to 1600cc & 130bhp, and EV with up to 110kW) received 1,522 bids for 1,226 COEs and its premium dipped by $2,110. Category A COE closed at $123,890.

Cat B (car above 1600cc or 130bhp, and EV with more than 110kW) received 1,316 bids for 926 COEs and its premium climbed by only $20. Category B COE closed at $129,910.

Cat C (goods vehicle and bus) received 465 bids for 315 COEs and its premium decreased by $2,344. Category C COE closed at $91,545.

Cat D (motorcycle) received 591 bids for 521 COEs and its premium increased by $301. Category D COE closed at $10,503.

Lastly, Cat E (all vehicles except motorcycle) received 443 bids for 254 COEs and climbed by $1,029. Category E COE closed at exactly $131,000.

Motor traders who spoke to Motorist about the first round of COE bidding under the new quota for August-October 2026 were not expecting any fireworks in the prices.

Kah Motor Honda chief executive, Nicholas Wong, said: “The fact that Cat A has dropped shows that the market has largely been overpriced and it’s high time for correction.”

Motorway Group managing director, Anthony Teo, concurred: “Based on my observation, Cat A’s slight drop is just a market correction. Cat B demand is still stable, so its COE price is still around the high side.”

Wearnes Automotive general manager for NIO, Renault and Alpine, Vynn Tu, told us: “Market has been slow, so I’m not surprised that Cat A dropped.”

Eurokars EV managing director for IM Motors and MG, Raymond Ng, said: “COE Cat A premium above $120,000 is still psychologically on the higher side, especially for consumers in this more price-sensitive COE segment. While we continue to see strong showroom footfall in Chinese EV brands like MG and IM Motors, the rest of the non-Chinese brands may be facing relatively weaker demand. A $20 increase in Cat B is relatively insignificant and within our expectations.”

Komoco Motors commercial director for Hyundai, Ng Choon Wee, said: “Cat B and Cat E seem to be well supported, despite having more quota as compared to the previous quarter, probably due to the narrow gap between the two Categories in the last bidding, and buyers going for Cat B models.”

Mr Ng also noticed that “Cat A appeared to have a rush during the last six minutes, when 200 additional bids were inserted and the premium went up by more than $100k.”

The lack of fireworks doesn’t mean that sky-high COE prices might come down closer to Leng Kee street level.

Lee Hoe Lone, MD of Premium Automobiles (Zeekr, Xpeng, DEEPAL, AVATR), said: “Too little allocation to meet growing demand as more cars are due for scrap, hence COE prices will remain elevated.”

Corinne Chua, MD of Volvo Car Singapore, added: “I think COEs will stabilise around current prices, as the change in COE premium is not big enough to garner any immediate reaction or rush. I advise customers not to wait till year-end, when the VES and EEAI change, to rush in to get their cars as this will drive up COE prices.”

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