By Samuel Ee

SINGAPORE's top model is a tie between a mature Japanese unit and a younger and prettier Korean. From January to June this year - among authorised distributors - sales of the Toyota Corolla Altis and Kia Cerato Forte were identical at 1,242 units.

Another big difference besides model age was that while the Corolla Altis accounted for about a third of Toyota's overall volume (35.1 per cent), the Cerato Forte was responsible for every three out of five Kia cars registered (59.1 per cent).

At the end of last year, the top model among authorised distributors was the Hyundai Avante. But six months later, it's at No. 3. The really interesting developments seem to be happening outside the top three.

The new BMW 5 Series is moving swiftly up the charts, and although exact figures will only be released later this month, it is understood to have overtaken the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, which in the first quarter of this year, was Singapore's fifth most popular model.

The entry of the E-Class into the Top 10 three months ago was noteworthy because, like the 5 Series, it costs about three times more than the No. 1 model.

The rest of the Top 10 list is occupied by familiar names such as the Toyota Vios (667 units registered in H1 2010), Nissan Sylphy (627), Mazda 3 (595) and Kia Koup (585).

"It is not surprising that the BMW 5 Series has taken such a commanding lead in the model rankings, given that it is a new model and that COE premiums have shot up, making more expensive premium models relatively better value for money than cheaper volume cars," said the sales manager of a popular Japanese dealership.

But he said: "If COE prices go higher, that could affect demand for entry-level luxury models."

This article was first published in The Business Times.