The automotive market in Bulgaria is characterized with steady growth of new car imports and sales and decreasing import of second hand cars.

One of the reasons for the sales boom in general is the variety of leasing offers and the high competition in this segment between banks and car importers.

The upward trend of new car sales on the Bulgarian market is somewhat unique compared to the European car market sales dynamics. The registered annual growth for 2004 and 2005 varies between 35.5 % and 50%.The new car, motorcycles, busses and trucks sales for 2005 in numbers are: 33434 new cars, 341 motorcycles and 1056 busses and trucks. Despite the upward trend, the automobile park in Bulgaria is still very old. The average annual number of second hand cars imported into Bulgaria for the last two years varies between 160.000 and 170.000 cars.

Even in future purchases, the present characteristics of the market show a trend of being reproduced - only 18.6% of the interviewed respondents intend to buy a new car - regardless of whether it is the latest or an older model

The basic share of the automobile market in Bulgaria is determined by the import of passenger cars falling under the most popular class C – 24.6% of the total car market. Next in ranking and preference is the class SV-s and MV-s – 24%.

With the development of the tourism, real estate and new urban construction market segments in Bulgaria the demand for light trucks. Public transport sector, being a key component for urban development especially in large cities, is restructuring and new companies offering public shuttle bus services appear.

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