Interest in new, small cars on the rise

Singapore

INTEREST in new cars has been rising steadily in the past month and it is being shown mainly by someone with a small, old car.

Traffic at some showrooms doubled as owners of ageing vehicles shop around, with the focus mainly on COE Category A models, the so-called small car category with engines below 1,600 cc and 130 hp. But distributors say actual sales have not increased much as prospective buyers hope and wait for COE premiums to soften.

"It is not surprising that a lot of the interest is coming from Cat A owners," said a senior executive at a major dealership. "This group is generally more prudent and conservative. After all, if you can afford a Cat B c…