Fluctuating COE prices every fortnight is bad for the industry, says our writer. (Yahoo! photo)

Does the Certificate Of Entitlement (COE) system still achieve its objectives or does it need to be reviewed in today's context?

From August 2012, the number of vehicles allocated for COE quota will increase by no more than 1 per cent per annum and no more than 0.5 per cent per annum from February 2013 through to January 2015.

Initially, the cut was to be from 1.5 per cent straight down to 0.5 per cent from next month.

Overall COE supply will be cut and public anticipation includes a rise in the already high COE prices.

We each have our own opinions but for me, I feel that the COE system serves its purpose in many ways. In others, it's outdated and some components can be reviewed.

Here what's wrong with the COE system:

1) Favours the wealthy

COEs are allocated based on a person's ability to pay rather than his/her needs.

The auction-style system favours the wealthy who can afford to bid with higher prices for COEs, even affording multiple COEs, while lower income families which may

When you run your own business, some of the greater factors to consider are saving costs, managing time more efficiently and handling the workload with smarter processes. For owner of corporate gifts and stationery business Ryan Yim, 26, he spends a significant amount of time on the roads doing sales as well as making deliveries. As a result, when it came to picking out a company vehicle, he decided to get a light commercial vehicle (LCV).

Most entrepreneurs dedicate their lives to their work, integrating work into their lifestyles with utmost dedication. Getting an LCV then makes a good solution by recognising the need for a vehicle, in service-oriented businesses especially, and thus is able to serve the purpose of being both a passenger and goods vehicle. Primarily to ferry light goods, these LCVs are also legally allowed to carry employees in the cargo space (if registered as a Goods-cum-Passengers Vehicle).

"I clock about 1,200km a week and hence it is important for me to have a

Singaporean students are encouraged to build energy-efficient cars. (Photo courtesy of Shell)

With rising gasoline prices and carbon emissions, the future of the automotive industry is geared towards sustainability as cars are being developed with alternative energy sources and materials. Aimed at increasing energy efficiency and reducing emissions, we witness hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles and fuel cell vehicles being introduced into our lives.

One future mobility initiative for schools is the Shell Eco-Marathon (SEM), a worldwide challenge where student engineers and scientists aged 16 to 25 design, build and test ultra energy-efficient vehicles. With three events each year — one in America, one in Europe and one in Asia — the winning vehicle is the one which goes the farthest with the least amount of energy, on one litre of fuel to be exact.

From designing to financing the vehicles, participating teams have to manage the entire project with skills in science, technology, mathematics, and business. Created by global petroleum giant Shell, the objective is to encourage

BY CHERYL TAY

Having undergone an image update, the Volkswagen CC is significantly re-designed. (Photo: Adrian Wong)

When I told my friends that I was reviewing the Volkswagen CC, some of them had the impression that it was a coupe-cabriolet. I don't blame them, as the "CC" suffix in cars such as the Renault Megane CC and the Peugeot 308CC mean Coupe-Cabriolet. In the case of the Volkswagen CC though, it means Comfort Coupe.

As literal as it gets, that's exactly what the Volkswagen CC is — a comfortable luxury 'four-door coupe'. My friends were quick to halt me mid-sentence when I was explaining more about the car — "How can a coupe be four-door?!"

Allow me to clarify.

The Volkswagen CC is a premium mid-sized sedan, hence four doors and five seats, but is styled like a coupe; therefore having a tight sloping roof line and marginally smaller space (though still having ample legroom for rear passengers) in the back half of the car. Into its second generation, it was previously known as the Passat CC but is now simply referred to as the CC. Derived from the Volkswagen Passat sedan, it is

Certificate of Entitlement (COE) prices ended mixed in the latest bidding  exercise on Wednesday.

[Check latest prices here]

COE premiums for small cars below 1,600cc rose S$1,002 to S$59,003.

But premiums for big cars fell S$2,216 to S$83,000.

Prices for the open category closed S$1,000 lower at S$85,889.

The biggest drop was in the commercial vehicles category, where the premium fell  S$2,584 to S$54,522.

Meanwhile, the premium for motorcycles ended S$22 higher at S$1,912.

Last week, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) said it will implement measures for a more gradual cut in vehicle growth rate.

In a statement, the agency said the vehicle growth rate will be reduced from the current 1.5 per cent per annum to 1 per cent per annum from August 2012. This will subsequently be further reduced to 0.5 per cent per annum from February 2013 to January 2015.

This is a revision from LTA's previous announcement in October 2011 that it would reduce the vehicle growth rate from 1.5 per cent

Melyssa Grace performed hula, tap, jazz and ballet in Hawaii and even competed in beauty pageants. (Photo courtesy of Melyssa Grace)

Attributing her exotic looks to her Filipino and German descent, the popular Melyssa Grace from the U.S. is not just a pretty face but also a mean drifter behind the wheel. With experience in car shows such as being crowned Miss Formula Drift 2010 and Miss Hot Import Nights San Mateo 2007, she will be making her maiden trip to Singapore for Super Import Nights 2012.

Q: Tell us more about yourself.
A: I'm 28 years old this year and I'm a model, as well as a drifter. Born in Oakland, California, I grew up in Ewa Beach, Hawaii.

Q: When did you start modeling?
A: I have always dreamt of modeling since I was a little girl, often posing for my mother's camera and walking like a model. Growing up in Hawaii, I had opportunities to dance (hula, tap, jazz and ballet) and compete in beauty pageants. I started modeling since the age of 14, so that makes it about 14 years of experience!

Q: What are some of the challenges in your job as a model?
A: Dealing with the jetlag when I travel for overseas

Apart from modelling, Eva's a medical service marketer too (Photo courtesy of Eva Skye)

A medical service marketer by profession, fashion design major by education and a model by talent — that's Eva Skye. The 25-year-old American-Chinese was born in the States, raised in Taiwan till the age of five, before she moved to Los Angeles. A flair in arts and a knowledge in healthcare topped with good looks, Eva is coming our way at Super Import Nights 2012.

Q: This will be your first visit to Singapore, to work at Super Import Nights. What other car shows have you done?
A: I started modeling for fun around 2005 and then started to take it more seriously in 2009. I landed my first race queen job in 2007. Other major import model assignments I've done are Tokyo Auto Salon in Japan, SEMA in Las Vegas, Hot Import Night in Los Angeles and the Grand Prix Long Beach; just to name a few.

Q: How different is it being an import model compared to other modeling assignments like fashion shows or commercials?
A: Being an import model, or race queen as some call it, there are a lot more

Model, Jeri Lee, is in Singapore for the second time for Super Import Nights 2012. (Photo courtesy of Jeri Lee)

International model Jeri Lee returns to Super Import Nights for a second time

Jeri Lee started modeling and acting from the very young age of three years old. Thanking her mum for putting her in the modeling industry, Jeri has gone on to earn an international reputation for herself.

Excited to be working at Super Import Nights a second time, the petite 1.55-metre tall Jeri is making her way to Singapore from Cancun at the moment but had time to have a quick chat with us.

Q: Who is Jeri Lee?
A: Full-time professional model, gogo dancer and world traveler! I'm 27 this year but I still look like I'm 14 ;)

Q: When did you get into the import scene?
A: That would have been at the age of 17. My very first import model gig was working at the International Auto Salon in Los Angeles. It was a three-day convention and I got to work for automotive performance brand GReddy.

Q: What are some of the major assignments you have done?
A: Gosh you should see my credentials. I've done quite a lot of