New vehicle sales in Bulgaria went 25% down in 2010, according to data of the Association of Automobile Makers (AAM) and its authorized representatives in Bulgaria.

The total number of purchases of new cars, trucks, and buses in 2010 has been 28 085.

Data, however, shows that buyers have become more active towards the end of year, leading to a slower decline of new car sales. 2 260 cars were sold then, which is an increase by 4% compared to December 2009. Total sales of cars, trucks and buses in December 2010, were 2 785 – an increase of 27% on annual basis.

In 2009, AAM registered a slump of 54% or a total of 26 813 ales compared to nearly 60 000 in 2008.

After 9 years of constant rise (2000 – 2008), the sales in the last two years went down by the drastic 65%.

18 820 new cars were sold from January to December 2010, or 27% less compared to 2009.

AAM data, however, does not include all sales, since some dealers are not members of the Association.

Toyota is still the leader on the Bulgarian market with a 10% market share, but Toyota sales in 2010 were down 32% compared to 2009, when the market share was 11%.

Ford comes second with 9% of the market, despite the fact its sales were down 15% compared to 2009, replacing Opel (49% down), Peugeot (33% down) and Volkswagen (25% down).

10 automobile makers sold over 1 000 new automobiles in 2010, but none has reached sales of over 2 000, compared to 2009, when 9 companies sold over 1 000 automobiles and 5 of them sold over 2 000.

Sales of trucks and buses were up 14% in 2010, with Mercedes having a 40% share of these sales.

Motorcycle sales in 2010 were down 31% compared to 2009, with Peugeot topping the sales.