The First Bulgarian Automobile Factory: A Technological Breakthrough in Industrial Development

24.07.2025 | Historical dates

On July 24, 1934, a large-scale industrial project near Sofia was launched, which laid the foundations of national automobile production and modernized the Bulgarian economy.

Снимка от Photographer not known; associated with Duncan and Fraser Limited., Wikimedia Commons, под CC0

The epochal beginning of Bulgarian automotive manufacturing is officially marked by the first groundbreaking of a specialized production complex on the outskirts of Sofia. The strategic initiative aims to radically transform the transport sector by reducing import dependence and developing its own industrial capacity.

The project represents an extremely ambitious attempt at technological renewal, which includes the implementation of modern European manufacturing technologies. The factory is conceived as a key center for developing and assembling light and cargo vehicles that meet growing internal market needs.

The industrial investment becomes a symbol of national economic independence and technological progress. Its significance far exceeds the initial production goals, laying the foundations of the modern Bulgarian automotive industry.

The creation of the factory marks a turning point in Bulgaria's economic development, demonstrating potential for industrial modernization and technological sovereignty during extremely challenging international conditions.