Romanian carmakers expect high fuel prices to drive Romanians to fuel-efficient cars

Higher fuel prices will have two main effects on Romanian drivers, who are expected to use their cars less and get cars that are more fuel-efficient, Brent Valmar, vice-president of the Romanian carmakers and importers association (APIA), said Monday. "The main effects of the fuel price hike will be that drivers will lose appetite for long-distance driving. Also, we may see clients looking into cars that require less fuel, have low exploitation costs and new technologies," Valmar told a news conference. He added Romania will also witness an increase in the number of hybrid cars. Constantin Stroe, vice-president of Romanian carmaker Dacia and member of the APIA board, said he doesn't think electric vehicles will be popular on the Romanian market anytime soon. "The time of electric vehicles in Romania won't come for another 10-15 years. That's because the country lacks the infrastructure these vehicles require to function," said Stroe. Mediafax