The sales of new cars in Bulgaria dropped by almost 50% in January 2010 year on year.

According to data of the Association of Car Producers and Authorized Dealers, only 1 160 new cars were sold in Bulgaria in the first month of the year, a 47,6% decline compared to the number sold in January 2009.

(The January 2009 figure itself showed about 50% decline compared to the number of new cars sold in January 2008, several months before the economic crisis kicked in.)

Three brands have managed to increase their sales of new cars on the Bulgarian market in January 2010 – Kia (up by 43,3%), Renault (41,9%), and Dacia (38%). However, these three brands actually sold only 225 cars combined, which is a market share of only 20%.

Citroen, Volkswagen, and Mercedes saw sizable drops – 72,4%, 69,7%, and 67,2% respectively. Volvo sold only 10 new cars in Bulgaria in January (65,5% drop), and BMW – only 25 new cars (59% decline).

Only three new motorbikes were sold in Bulgaria in January 2010 – 2 Yamaha and 1 Honda bike; the decline is 50% year on year.

The sales of new buses dropped by 42,7% - down to 55 vehicles.