‘Fundamental reshaping’ of Singapore car market as China and EV brands storm up the charts while legacy players hit hard

[SINGAPORE] Electric vehicle brands reached new heights in the first quarter of 2026, with registrations for some increasing by as much as five times. Meanwhile, registrations for legacy brands such as BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Honda dropped by more than 35 per cent.

Observers said this marks an increasing dominance for China and EV brands, a move that has been fast-tracked by recent changes to vehicle tax rebates.

Automotive consultant Say Kwee Neng said: “We are seeing an acceleration of the fundamental reshaping of the dynamics of our car industry, which began when EV adoption grew in 2024 and 2025.”