Latest news with #budgetbuyers
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
COE prices slide across the board in Singapore except motorcycles
SINGAPORE — Certificate of Entitlement (COE) premiums dropped across nearly all categories, in the latest round of bidding on Wednesday (4 June), signalling a potential cooling in the car market – but motorcycles bucked the trend with a surprise jump. Category A, covering smaller cars up to 1,600cc and 130 bhp and electric vehicles up to 110kW, saw the steepest dip, falling 5.4 per cent to $96,999 – the first time it's dipped below the $100,000 mark in recent tenders. This marks the second consecutive drop, offering some relief to budget-conscious car buyers. Category B, which is used for larger and more powerful cars, slipped 3.4 per cent to $113,000, while Open Category (Category E) COEs, which can be used for all vehicle types except for motorcycles, dropped 3.5 per cent to $113,900. Commercial vehicle COEs (Category C), which includes buses and goods vehicles, also edged down by 1.9 per cent to $62,000. But not every segment followed the same path. Motorcycle COEs (Category D) climbed 3.4 per cent to $9,000, the only category to post a gain – highlighting steady demand despite the overall downward pressure. While prices remain higher than a year ago, this across-the-board drop (barring two-wheelers) could hint at a stabilising COE market. The COE gives the owner the right to register and use a vehicle in Singapore for 10 years. It can be obtained through an online open auction conducted twice a month. Bidding exercises usually start at 12pm on the first and third Monday of the month, and last for three working days. Each bidding will end at 4pm on Wednesday, if there is no public holiday in between. The vehicle quota in each category will be announced before the start of each bidding exercise. After 10 years, when the COE expires, an owner can choose to de-register the vehicle or renew the COE. Since 1 February 2023, the number of COEs available for bidding in the corresponding vehicle category in each quarter is the rolling average of the number of vehicles deregistered over the previous four quarters. COE prices, of course, can drop – it is dependent on supply and demand. Since 2017, the Ministry of Transport has been freezing vehicle population growth for all categories except Category C for goods vehicles and buses. The current rates will be maintained until 31 January 2028. Singapore is one of the costliest places in the world to buy a car – in fact, in 2022, the Global Wealth and Lifestyle Report 2022, released by Swiss private bank Julius Baer, found Singapore cars were the most expensive globally.
The Independent
22-05-2025
- Health
- The Independent
20 best men's gym bags for carrying all your workout kit
After more than a decade of training, my gym bag is now jam-packed with lifting straps, resistance bands, protein shakers, meal prep boxes and more, meaning I need more than an old bag for life to stash my kit. Luckily for people like me, the best gym bags offer a seamless solution to this problem. A decent gym bag offers ample space for storing an assortment of weightlifting paraphernalia, and plenty of pockets so you don't have to dig around for hours to find what you want. Some even have a padded laptop sleeve so you can carry your work gear safely too. But not all gym bags are created equal. To help you find the right one, I've tested some of the top options on the market during my daily gym trips – and I don't travel light. From this hands-on experience, I've selected my top 19, with options to suit every lifestyle – from commuters and budget buyers to all-the-gear heroes. So strap in and scroll on to see which gym bag fits your fitness needs and which you should invest in. How I tested The list of things you might be taking to the gym these days is a lot longer than it used to be. So, I crammed every bag with kit to test its utility, functionality and comfort, then saw how easily I could access everything without having to litter the floor of the changing room. Here's how the best bags fared. The best gym bags for men for 2025 are:
ArabGT
22-05-2025
- Automotive
- ArabGT
BYD Dolphin Surf Costs Nearly Triple in Europe Compared to China
It's hard to ignore the staggering price gap between the newly launched BYD Dolphin Surf in Europe and its Chinese-market counterpart, the BYD Seagull. What's essentially the same electric city car is sold under different names—and at drastically different prices. In China, the compact EV is known as the Seagull and starts at just under $10,000 (approximately SAR 37,500), offering an unbeatable deal for budget-conscious buyers. However, in Europe, the same vehicle arrives with a new identity as the BYD Dolphin Surf, priced significantly higher. Depending on configuration, European buyers are looking at a starting price of €22,990 ($25,963) that can climb to €30,990 ($34,997). These higher costs reflect European taxes, import fees, and additional market-specific features. Compact Yet Confident Designed with urban mobility in mind, the Dolphin Surf measures about 3,990 mm in length—perfect for city commuting and tight parking situations. The front fascia draws inspiration from the larger Dolphin model, with a slim grille and a sleek light strip running just beneath the windshield for a high-tech, youthful aesthetic. Despite its petite frame, the Dolphin Surf delivers solid performance. BYD claims it surpasses rivals like the Dacia Spring, providing a more responsive drive and better acceleration. Depending on battery configuration—either 30 kWh or 38.88 kWh—the driving range spans between 305 km and 405 km, giving drivers flexible options for daily commuting. To stir up early excitement, BYD is offering a special promotion through June 30, 2025. During this period, the base model of the Dolphin Surf will be available for just €19,990 ($22,580), making it one of the most attractively priced electric vehicles in Europe—at least for a limited time. Smart Simplicity Inside The cabin of the Dolphin Surf is tailored for practicality and comfort. It comes equipped with a central touchscreen with smartphone integration, a basic sound system, and essential safety technologies like blind-spot monitoring and city emergency braking—bundled within BYD's Driver Assistance Package. A variety of color options and trims further enhance its appeal to younger buyers and eco-conscious drivers. Strategic Global Play With the Dolphin Surf, BYD is not just expanding its footprint—it's strategically targeting European consumers looking for an affordable, well-built electric vehicle with genuine Chinese innovation. As the demand for compact EVs rises, this model positions BYD as a formidable contender in the entry-level electric segment.
