Singapore November 2012: Toyota and Volkswagen shoot up

Toyota Crown. Toyota holds 19% of the Singaporean market in November.

* See the Top 35 All-brands ranking by clicking on the title! Many thanks to Michael *

In November, 2,273 new vehicles found a buyer in Singapore, bringing the year-to-date total to 25,742. The Singaporean new car market is unique in the world because it is heavily influenced by Certificates of Entitlement, a government program meaning Singapore residents have to bid for the right to buy a motor vehicle, with the number of certificates deliberately restricted. In November COEs prices hit a mind-boggling S$77,200 for cars under 1,600cc and S$92,400 for cars over 1,600cc, which in most cases corresponds to double the car price itself! Only the very rich can afford to buy a new car in Singapore these days…

VW Passat. Volkswagen grabs 17.5% of Singaporean new car sales in November.

As a result, in 2011 BMW ended 9 consecutive years of Toyota domination to become the most popular manufacturer in Singapore for the first time and it looks like it could reiterate that feat in 2012. At end-November, BMW is #1 in the country with 4,368 sales and a world-best 17% market share, followed by Mercedes at 4,108 units and 16%. However in November it’s Toyota that takes the lead in Singapore with a brilliant 431 sales and 19% share, partly due to a promotion that lets you upgrade to the next model up for the same price! For example for the price of a Toyota Vios you can get a Toyota Corolla… Volkswagen also shines at #2 with 397 units and 17.5%.

Bentley Continental GT. Bentley sold nearly as many cars as Ford in Singapore this month.

Other great performers in Singapore this month include Mazda up 4 spots on October to #9 with 40 sales and 1.8%, Land Rover up 9 to #11 at 33 units and 1.5%, Bentley up 5 to an outstanding 17th position with 21 sales and 0.9%, Opel up to #19 and Alfa Romeo up to #23.

Previous month: Singapore October 2012: Mercedes and BMW on top

Previous year: Singapore 2011: BMW ends almost a decade of Toyota domination

Full November 2012 Top 35 All-brands Ranking Table below.