Dnevnik reported that the drop in Bulgaria's new car sales lost some momentum in June 2010, slowing to 39.4% MoM for the six months compared with 42.4% a month earlier.

Data from the Association of Automobile Manufacturers showed that between January and June 2010, Bulgaria sold 8,998 units of cars, lorries, buses and motorcycles, down by 5,854 units for the same period of crisis ravaged 2009. June also turned out to be the best selling month so far in the year, with 1,910 units sold.

Mr Krasen Hadjiev marketing director of Avtounion said that "The higher sales in June 2010 confirm the trend for recovery on the car market. The main drivers of growth were the high price discounts and customers' easier access to leasing financing. I expect an increase in demand mostly by companies in the coming months."

The car holding, which represents 11 car makes, reported 1,111 units sold for the six months of the year, capturing 13% of the market, up from 10.5% a year earlier. On a monthly basis, the group lifted sales by 26.5% as the market rose by just over 11%.

Mr Asen Vasilev marketing director of Star Motors, the local representative of Mazda, said that the coming months will offset the tepid sales made so far and the market decline will be lowered to some 20% for the year.

(Sourced from www.dnevnik.bg)