So many private-hire cars

Private hire-cars vs. Taxis

Singapore government’s stance

National sales companies

How transfer pricing drive up COE prices

Problems with the COE system

About a decade ago, it cost about $70,000 for a Certificate of Entitlement (COE) to own a normal car. Now, it’s closer to $100,000. Why have COE prices kept going up? Is it really because Singaporeans are getting richer?

On this week's episode of TransportBT, host Derryn Wong explores one of Singapore's most hated acronyms: COE. Together with Say Kwee Neng, a long-time auto industry insider, they dive into the factors driving COE prices sky-high, from the rise of private-hire cars to the tax technicality that allows big car brands to bid aggressively for COEs.

Highlights:

01:55 So many private-hire cars

03:59 Private-hire cars vs. Taxis

06:49 Singapore government’s stance

11:24 National sales companies

12:48 How transfer pricing drive up COE prices

15:53 Problems with the COE system

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Send us your questions, thoughts, story ideas, and feedback to btpodcasts@sph.com.sg.

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Written and hosted by: Derryn Wong (derrynwong@sph.com.sg)

With Say Kwee Neng, managing partner, One Strategic Consulting

Edited by: Emily Liu & Claressa Monteiro

Produced by: Derryn Wong, Emily Liu & Chai Pei Chieh

A podcast by BT Podcasts, The Business Times, SPH Media

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Follow BT Correspondents:

Channel: bt.sg/btcobt

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Do note: This podcast is meant to provide general information only. SPH Media accepts no liability for loss arising from any reliance on the podcast or use of third party’s products and services. Please consult professional advisors for independent advice.

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Discover more BT podcast series:

BT Money Hacks: bt.sg/btmoneyhacks

BT Podcasts: bt.sg/pcOM

BT Market Focus: bt.sg/btmktfocus

BT Branded Podcasts: bt.sg/brpod

BT Lens On: bt.sg/btlenson

About a decade ago, it cost about $70,000 for a Certificate of Entitlement (COE) to own a normal car. Now, it&rsquo;s closer to $100,000. Why have COE prices kept going up? Is it really because Singaporeans are getting richer?
On this week's episode of TransportBT, host Derryn Wong explores one of Singapore's most hated acronyms: COE. Together with Say Kwee Neng, a long-time auto industry insider, they dive into the factors driving COE prices sky-high, from the rise of private-hire cars to the tax technicality that allows big car brands to bid aggressively for COEs.
Highlights:
01:55 So many private-hire cars
03:59 Private-hire cars vs. Taxis
06:49 Singapore government&rsquo;s stance
11:24 National sales companies
12:48 How transfer pricing drive up COE prices
15:53 Problems with the COE system
---
Send us your questions, thoughts, story ideas, and feedback to <a href="mailto:btpodcasts@sph.com.sg">btpodcasts@sph.com.sg</a>.
---
Written and hosted by: Derryn Wong (derrynwong@sph.com.sg)
With Say Kwee Neng, managing partner, One Strategic Consulting
Edited by: Emily Liu &amp; Claressa Monteiro
Produced by: Derryn Wong, Emily Liu &amp; Chai Pei Chieh
A podcast by BT Podcasts, The Business Times, SPH Media
---
Follow BT Correspondents:
Channel: <a href="https://bt.sg/btcobt" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://bt.sg/btcobt&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1725767545308000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1MZyDZ2ZxkzhbmmY3UOc3Z">bt.sg/btcobt</a>
Amazon: <a href="https://bt.sg/btcoam" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://bt.sg/btcoam&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1725767545308000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1bAnSdh7yR-3Qa3gEDNwKc">bt.sg/btcoam</a>
Apple Podcasts: <a href="https://bt.sg/btcoap" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://bt.sg/btcoap&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1725767545308000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1h55CGx7ZKW8w566ap9VHu">bt.sg/btcoap</a>
Spotify: <a href="https://bt.sg/btcosp" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://bt.sg/btcosp&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1725767545308000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2cKDn-nj_SJRYp37JYw8Mu">bt.sg/btcosp</a><a href="https://bt.sg/4DJN"></a>
YouTube Music: <a href="https://bt.sg/btcoyt" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://bt.sg/btcoyt&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1725767545308000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2NfL9n0nMyJbaBkleGs7Og">bt.sg/btcoyt</a>
Website: <a href="https://bt.sg/btcorresp" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://bt.sg/btcorresp&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1728367269653000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3jpkha8i35GodqUz6STt41">bt.sg/btcorresp</a>
Do note: This podcast is meant to provide general information only. SPH Media accepts no liability for loss arising from any reliance on the podcast or use of third party&rsquo;s products and services. Please consult professional advisors for independent advice.
---
Discover more BT podcast series:
BT Money Hacks: <a href="https://bt.sg/btmoneyhacks">bt.sg/btmoneyhacks</a>
BT Podcasts: <a href="https://bt.sg/pcOM">bt.sg/pcOM</a>
BT Market Focus: <a href="https://bt.sg/btmktfocus">bt.sg/btmktfocus</a>
BT Branded Podcasts: <a href="https://bt.sg/brpod">bt.sg/brpod</a>
BT Lens On: <a href="https://bt.sg/btlenson">bt.sg/btlenson</a>

A showcase of the most respected series and columnists from The Business Times showroom.

BT Correspondents Podcast channel showcases content presented by some of the newsroom's most respected columnists and includes the series: Mark to Market, PropertyBT, WealthBT and TransportBT.

Available on all your favourite audio content apps and at www.businesstimes.com.sg/podcasts

Produced by BT Podcasts, The Business Times, SPH Media.

BT Correspondents Podcast channel showcases content presented by some of the newsroom's most respected columnists and includes the series: Mark to Market, PropertyBT, WealthBT and TransportBT.
Available on all your favourite audio content apps and at www.businesstimes.com.sg/podcasts
Produced by BT Podcasts, The Business Times, SPH Media.

BT Correspondents

BT Correspondents Podcast channel showcases content presented by some of the newsroom's most respected columnists and includes the series: Mark to Market, Property BT, Wealth BT and Transport BT.

Available on all your favourite audio content apps and at www.businesstimes.com.sg/podcasts

Produced by BT Podcasts, The Business Times, SPH Media.

BT Correspondents Podcast channel showcases content presented by some of the newsroom's most respected columnists and includes the series: Mark to Market, Property BT, Wealth BT and Transport BT.
Available on all your favourite audio content apps and at www.businesstimes.com.sg/podcasts
Produced by BT Podcasts, The Business Times, SPH Media.

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