Bulgarrenault
| Company type | Joint venture |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive |
| Founded | 1966 |
| Defunct | 1970 |
| Headquarters | Plovdiv , Bulgaria |
| Products | Automobiles (Renault 8 and Renault 10 models) |
Bulgarrenault (alternatively Bulgar Renault) was a vehicle manufactured in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, as a result of a partnership between Metalhim, a Bulgarian defence enterprise, and Bulet, an export trading organization. The production spanned from 1966 until 1970, during which the facility assembled two Renault models: the Renault 8 and the Renault 10.
Origins
During the mid-1960s, ETO Bulet launched a cooperative initiative with SPC Metalhim aimed at producing passenger vehicles by assembling complete knock down (CKD) kits imported from abroad. Bulet was responsible for managing hard-currency funds for imports, while Metalhim oversaw national defence manufacturing plants. Multiple international automakers, including Renault, Fiat, Simca, and Alfa Romeo, proposed collaborations; ultimately, Renault’s offer was deemed the most advantageous. Initially, in 1963, Renault suggested assembling the Renault 4 and 4L models.
On July 30, 1966, SPC Metalhim obtained official government approval to begin negotiations with Renault through Bulet. The original plan was to conduct assembly operations at a facility in Cherven Bryag. By September 1966, ETO Bulet and Renault formalized their agreement, and ten Renault 8 vehicles carrying the Bulgarrenault badge were presented at the Plovdiv Fair—these were reportedly assembled in Kazanlak. The cars displayed Bulet’s tricolor emblem affixed to the windshield.
A senior executive from Renault predicted that over 10,000 Renault 8 units would be assembled in Bulgaria by the year 1970.
Commencement of production
The leadership team comprised French engineer Pierre Auberger alongside managing directors Emil Razlogov (ETO Bulet) and General Yamakov (SPC Metalhim). Technical direction was provided by Stefan Vaptsarov; Atanas Taskov and Georgi Mladenov were responsible for overseeing car exports within Bulet. Bulgarian engineers underwent three months of training at Renault facilities in France.
At the outset, all components were sourced from France, with intentions to gradually increase local content in assembly.
In 1967, production shifted to a newly constructed plant in Plovdiv after initially operating temporarily at the Plovdiv Fairgrounds. This factory was equipped with a fully automated moving assembly line as well as advanced welding and painting machinery acquired at a cost of US$15 million.
Growth and conclusion of production
In 1967, Bulgaria exported 16,000 accessory kits back to France; projections estimated this number would grow to 100,000 in 1968. The plant targeted an annual output of 3,000 vehicles but failed to reach this goal. By 1970, roughly 4,000 Bulgarrenault 8 and 10 cars had been produced at an expenditure of about US$6 million for French parts—yielding an average cost near US$1,500 per unit.
Domestic sales began in February 1967 with prices set at 6,100 leva for the Bulgarrenault 8 and 6,800 leva for the Bulgarrenault 10.
Exports included approximately 500 units of Bulgarrenault 10 shipped to Yugoslavia between 1967 and 1969 and between 300 and 900 vehicles sent to Austria in 1970. Additionally, some models found buyers in Middle Eastern markets.
Production activities were completely halted by early 1970.
Export statistics
- 1968: 522
- 1969: 789
- 1970: 462
- Total exported units: 1,773