Sales of new cars in Bulgaria declined by 8 % year-over-year in the first half of 2013, according to the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association, ACEA.

The statistics was published in an ACEA report on the development of the automobile industry in January 2013- June 2013 period, the Bulgarian Telegraph Agency informed.

According to ACEA, a total of 8 971 new cars were sold in the first half of 2013 in Bulgaria, compared to 9 770 cars in H1, 2012.

In the first six months of 2013, a total of over 6.2 M new cars were sold EU-wide, down by 6.6 % from the total of 6.6 M cars sold in the first six months of 2012.

The biggest decrease in sales of new cars was registered in Cyprus (nearly 43 %), followed by the Netherlands (36 %) and Romania (26 %).

Meanwhile, some EU countries continue to register growth in sales of new cars.

The biggest growth in H1, 2013 was reported by Estonia, where a total of 10 200 cars were sold during the period, up by 15.2% from the total of 8900 in H1, 2012.

Other countries which reported a growth in sales of new cars were the UK (10 %), and Denmark (9%), ACEA informed.

According to statistics of ACEA, the EU automobile industry provides 3.2 M jobs or 10 % of the employment in the union.

Revenues from sales of new cars account for EUR 385 B in tax contributions in the EU.

According to ACEA forecasts, car sales are expected to increase after the signing of a comprehensive trade agreement between the EU and the US.

Together, the EU and US account for 32% of global auto production and 35% of global auto sales.