Bulgarrenault: The Story of Renault Cars Manufactured in Bulgaria (1966-1970)

Bulgarrenault was a car brand produced in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, between 1966 and 1970, based on the Renault 8 and Renault 10 models. This collaboration between the Bulgarian state company Bulet and French manufacturer Renault marked a significant milestone in Bulgaria’s automotive industry. Here’s a concise overview of Bulgarrenault’s journey:

Establishment and Early Steps

• 1966 Decree: The Bulgarian government approved negotiations with Renault to establish local car production.
• Model Selection: Renault 4 and 4L were initially considered, but Renault 8 and Renault 10 were chosen for production.
• First Units: In 1966, the first Bulgarrenault vehicles were showcased at the Plovdiv Fair.

Production and Factory Development

• Plovdiv Factory: In 1967, the assembly line was moved to Plovdiv, where a modern factory was constructed.
• Annual Targets: Plans aimed to produce 3,000 vehicles annually by 1967.
• Part Supply: Initially, parts were imported from France, with the goal of transitioning to full local production.

Market and Export

• Local Sales: The first Bulgarrenault cars were introduced to the Bulgarian market in 1967, priced at 6,100 leva for Bulgarrenault 8 and 6,800 leva for Bulgarrenault 10.
• Export Success:
  • 500 units sold to Yugoslavia
  • 300-900 units exported to Austria
  • Additional exports to Middle Eastern countries
• Export of Components: Bulgaria also exported jacks and crankshaft sets to France.

Production Figures

• Total Production: 6,540 units were manufactured between 1966 and 1971.
  • 1966: 50 units
  • 1967: 870 units
  • 1968: 1,600 units
  • 1969: 2,486 units
  • 1970: 967 units
  • 1971: 567 units

Closure

Production ceased in early 1970, marking the end of the Bulgarrenault project, which paved the way for other industrial collaborations in Bulgaria.

Bulgarrenault remains a historic symbol of Bulgaria’s venture into automotive production, blending local expertise with international collaboration to produce vehicles that served both domestic and global markets.