Episode Details

In Singapore, owning a car isn’t just expensive — it’s a luxury defined by government design. In this episode, we unpack the staggering cost of car ownership in the city-state, where the Certificate of Entitlement system can add tens of thousands of dollars to even the most basic vehicle. Through the stories of everyday residents balancing convenience, status, and financial strain, we explore why many still feel compelled to buy a car despite world-class public transport. As COE prices soar and the wealthy remain unfazed, we ask: is this the price of keeping Singapore moving — or a system that increasingly leaves the middle class stuck at the curb?

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/24/world/asia/car-certificate-singapore-luxury.html