Bulgaria August 2020: Kia (+52.6%), Peugeot (+7.6%) defy market thrown into disarray again (-42.2%)

Kia sales surge 52.6% in a market down -42.2%.

After slowing their fall to -12.8% in July, the Bulgarian new vehicle market implodes -42.2% year-on-year in August to 2.293 units, pulling the year-to-date tally down -40.1% to 18.650. There are multiple factors responsible for this relapse, including a recrudescence of new Covid-19 infections, higher in July and August than they were during the first wave in March-April, a lack of inventory as larger EU markets require more volumes and re-exports stalling in the wake of new international travel restrictions imposed on Bulgaria following their second wave of coronavirus. Dacia (-57.3%) reclaims the brands top spot despite a ghastly year-on-year freefall, distancing Renault (-22.8%) and Skoda (-20.2%) while Peugeot (+7.6%) manages the only year-on-year gain in the Top 6, climbing up 3 spots on July to #4 overall. However it’s Kia (+52.6%) that posts the most spectacular improvement among mainstream brands, joined in the positive aisle by Haval (+400%), Great Wall (+33.3%), Honda (+20%) and Mercedes (+1.2%).

Previous month: Bulgaria July 2020: Renault (+82.4%), Nissan (+53.5%), Citroen (+51.3%) fail to overturn depressed volumes (-12.8%)

One year ago: Bulgaria August 2019: Dacia (+66.8%), Renault (+30.1%) ignore sliding market (-2.1%)

Full August 2020 Top 40 All-brands ranking below.