In the second round of bidding for 2007, COE prices were lower in three categories.

Category A COEs, for small cars (1600cc & below) and taxis, remained about the same, inching 1.51 per cent upwards to $11,881 from the last round's price of $11,704.

There was a more significant difference in Category B COE prices though, falling from $13,001 to $12,000, a marked decrease of 7.7 per cent.

Despite demand for motorcycle COEs (Category D) exceeding the supply available (690 bids for 453 available), prices for Cat D COEs still managed a 2.06 per cent decrease from last month's $1,214 to $1,189.

Meanwhile, open category COEs saw a drop of $702, with COEs priced at $12,599 compared to last month's $13,301.

And for a third consecutive month, demand for goods vehicle and bus COEs remained lethargic, with only 367 bids received for 525 COEs available, resulting in a third consecutive round of bidding where Category C COEs were priced at a nominal $1.