you are right Steve, I spoke to my cousin in Hungary and he said they pay about $3.80/gallon, ($1.00/liter) and even the diesel fuel has went up to almost $0.83/liter ~ $3.16/gallon
The good thing about diesel that you need a lot less then gas to go. He has 1.9TDi VW Passat, 115HP and a lot of torque. Almost as much as the 328i BMW has ! He is very happy with the fuel economy over 32 miles/gallon average ! (7l/100km)
so the fuel price will cause a big hit everywhere but in europe it becomes so expensive, alternatives must come to the market.
My friend had a chance to drive a 3liter VW Lupo. No this isn't mean the engine size is 3 liter, it means the average fuel cons. is 3l/100km ~ 76mpg
the car is weird - has no extra stuff at all, has a very narrow tires, no door panel, and a shut-off transmission. You out the car into Neutral, the engine shots off and when you depress the clutch the engine comes alive.
The battery is also small, a whole car is pure bone stock. Even with those my friend averaged around 4.5l/100km ~ little over 50mpg from Germany to Hungary. He was supposed to go at 80km/h (50mpg) to achive a 3l but instead he was doing 120km/h ~ 75mph well not bad but he said the car was terrible to drive, unconfortable and noise. (no insulation)
so I guess this isn't a way to go...
anyway we are blessed here with a lower prices, but people here are spoiled. My neighbor's wife has a Suburban for in-city driving. She is alone is a car most of the time ! The husband drives a Ford Pick-up, (alone) ... I know they can afford it, and why not... but let's face it people do not need Suburbans and Excurions for regular life. Those vehicleas are commercial size vehicles and they aren't needed unless business requirement. Same goes for Pick-up trucks, many people buy them but I almost never seen a fancy pick-up with any kind of cargo on the bed. Then why buy a Pick-up ? Never understanded and never will...