The Missed Opportunity – the Bulgarrenault Car Factory in Plovdiv

The study is based on the archival fund of the Bulgarrenault Automobile Factory in Plovdiv. Its establishment is part of the attempts of the technologically backward socialist countries to meet the growing demand for cars through cooperation with Western manufacturers. In scientific publications to date, little information is given about the factory and its production, which in some cases is inaccurate. In this regard, the chronology of the foundation and construction of the factory, the duration of the construction works, its area and number of personnel have been clarified. Attention is paid why and how the enterprise was opened in Plovdiv as well as a state-owned agricultural holding existed on its place earlier. Another little-known fact is that during the first six months, the assembly of cars was carried out on a temporary assembly line in Hall No. 10 of the International Fair in Plovdiv. Until the factory entered full operation at the end of 1967, cars were assembled using the SKD system, which has so far remained unnoticed. It was claimed that the cars were fitted using the CKD system. However, this happens after the factory is opened. Until then, cars were sent from France in sets of 10 and assembled on the temporary line. When the factory is operational, the sets start at 50 cars each. The demand is high, but the Bulgarian state does not support the production. For the entire period, 6,995 cars were produced. The factory, which costs about three million BGN, works far from its capacity and produces an average of 123 cars per month, which is almost a manufactory. The closing of the factory in 1976 after unsuccessful attempts Bulgarrenault to be replaced with camping trailers and gasoline engines, means a missing of valuable chance for development of a modern Bulgarian automotive industry.