Diesels gain ground on Romanian market

Romania is following the lead of the Western European auto markets. Just like in Germany, France or Belgium, the sales of diesel motors have outgrown the popularity of gasoline vehicles on the Romanian market, as well. At least in the case of imports. However, increasingly more Romanian producers are also turning to diesels.

The sales of imported diesel vehicles climbed 62% in H1, as compared to the year-ago period, whereas the entire segment of imported autos gained 18% during the same interval.

“Until several years ago, diesel engines were noisier, more difficult to start in winter and less powerful than gasoline engines. But, over the last few years, carmakers have developed diesel engines just as powerful as those running on gasoline. Moreover, the new diesels are more silent and robust,” said Marius Carp, general director of the Association of Romanian Carmakers and Importers (APIA).

Diesel motors are attractive mainly because of the low fuel consumption and because fuel oil is cheaper than gasoline.

“Under the circumstances, diesels are beginning to gain ground against gasoline vehicles all over Europe. In several countries such as France or Belgium, diesel cars have clearly won the battle against gasoline. Even England, known as a strong gasoline advocate, is going for the diesel engines, which have come to account for 30% of the market,” Carp added.

However, there is also one downside to diesel: these cars are up to 1,000 euros more expensive than the gasoline engines. “If the owner drives the car regularly (at least 10,000-15,000 kilometres annually), the investment in diesel really pays off in two years at most,” Carp maintains.

ionut.bonoiu@zf.ro