New motor vehicle sales rose 21 per cent year-on-year in the first half of 2008, data released by the local car importers association showed.

Local dealers moved 30 189 cars, vans, trucks, buses and motorcycles in January-June, up 4386 units over the year-ago period. Actual sales are slightly higher since not all domestic car dealers are members of the association.

Bus sales posted the biggest increase, jumping a hefty 175 per cent year-on-year to 163 units. The truck segment also delivered healthy growth, rising 60 per cent in terms of sales to 2025 units.

Car and light truck sales were up 18.5 per cent year-on-year to 28 001 units. Mid-sized automobiles accounted for a quarter of the market in the first half, followed by compact city cars and small and mid-size vans, which had a market share of around 20 per cent.

The top-selling model was Dacia Logan with 1218 units.

Among car makers, Opel soare to the top spot after securing a major fleet purchase deal with the Bulgarian Interior Ministry. The brand has a 11.6 per cent share in January-June with sales of 3240 units.

Toyota, first a year ago, had to settle for the runner-up position with a 9.9 per cent share and sales of 2779 cars. Volkswagen dealer Porsche BG moved two places to third.

The local Iveco dealers held 35.7 per cent of the truck market in the first half of the year with 781 sales. Tucked in behind them was Mercedes with 33.3 per cent and 728 sales.

Isuzu is the top-selling bus brand while Peugeot leads the motorcycle segment.