Bulgaria's New Car Registrations Soar by 11.8% in First Nine Months of 2025

Significant Growth in Bulgarian Automotive Market

New passenger car registrations in Bulgaria experienced a substantial increase of 11.8% year-on-year during the first nine months of 2025, totaling 36,216 units. This data, released by the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA) on October 28, 2025, highlights a robust performance in the country's automotive sector. The growth in Bulgaria significantly surpasses the overall EU average increase of 0.9% for the same period.

Fuel Type Preferences and Trends

An analysis of the registrations by fuel type reveals a continued dominance of traditional internal combustion engines, alongside a notable rise in electrified vehicles. Of the 36,216 new cars registered between January and September 2025:

• Petrol cars accounted for the largest share with 30,089 units.
• Diesel car registrations saw a decline of 9.2% year-on-year, totaling 2,735 units.
• Hybrid-electric vehicles (HEV) demonstrated the highest yearly rise, surging by 67.7% to reach 1,209 units.
• Battery-electric vehicles (BEV) recorded 1,673 units.
• Plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEV) registered 435 units.

The strong performance in September alone saw new passenger car registrations in Bulgaria jump by 51.6% to 3,818 units.

Bulgaria's Position in the EU Market

Bulgaria's impressive growth figures position it as a key performer within the European Union's automotive market. While new EU car registrations increased modestly by 0.9% year-to-date by September 2025, marking the third consecutive month of growth, Bulgaria's double-digit expansion stands out. Hybrid-electric vehicles have emerged as the most popular power type choice among buyers across the EU, a trend also reflected in Bulgaria's significant HEV growth. The combined market share of petrol and diesel cars in the EU continued its downward trend, falling to 37% from 46.8% in the same period of 2024.

Broader Market Context

Beyond the specific registration numbers, broader market trends indicate a strong consumer interest in the SUV segment in Bulgaria, which continues to be a dominant force. Electrification is also gaining momentum, with increasing interest in hybrid and fully electric cars, even as petrol models maintain their leading position in the Bulgarian market.