On Sunday, October 22, Sofia's biggest car show, held in the capital annually for 25 years, ends. Some 40 world brands took part in 2017, presenting over 300 vehicles and dozens of technological innovations. For the first time visitors also had the opportunity to test part of the exhibits and interest in the show was extremely high. But in the days of the forum, there were events that made Bulgarians ask some serious questions about the local automotive market.

At first glance, the sale of new cars in the first 8 months of the year has marked a growth of 18.1 per cent with very good prospects by the end of the year, while in the EU an average drop of 2 percent was marked. However, the data would have been really impressive if 18.1% growth did not equal just 2542 cars and if the total number of new cars sold was not just 18 709. The low number of new cars bought was not due to lack of interest but to low purchasing power, because prices at the show varied between 12 469 and 23 665 euros and Bulgarians can hardly afford to pay them.

While the motor show in Sofia was taking place, news came from Romania that there was an eco-friendly program there promoting purchases of new cars. Romanians wishing to replace a car older than 8 years for a new car would receive 1400 euros, while those who buy an electric vehicle would get 10,000 euro. If such a policy is applied in a neighboring country with relatively similar economic and social realities, wouldn’t it be possible to have such a policy in Bulgaria, as well?  But in Bulgaria the ideas in this regard are very different. In April, with a government decree, environment taxes for new cars fell by 5 percent, for electric vehicles - by 30 percent, and for old cars these taxes were increased. In June, Environment Minister Neno Dimov suggested that measures be taken to make the import of old cars unprofitable. Judging by the results of these measures and ideas, there has been no significant change in the automotive market and buying new cars remains low. The facts speak of the need for a more effective policy.