Sunday, 17 September 2006
DHAHRAN: Saudi Aramco has provided more information about its new grade of gasoline that will be available in the Kingdom on Jan 1, 2007, in accordance with Council of Ministers Decree No. 103 dated 23/4/1424 A.H. (June 24, 2003).
In the statement issued Aug. 22, the company stated:(1)The current grade of gasoline in domestic markets is 95 octane, while the new grade of gasoline will be 91 octane. The gasolines will be named Premium 95 and Premium 91.
(2)Saudi Aramco has placed the marketing of the gasoline at the top of its priority list. On Oct 1, 2006, it will launch a promotional campaign that will include TV and radio commercials, newspaper ads, outdoor advertising and traveling exhibits.
Preparations for the awareness campaign started on July 1 with the launch of a new company website about the two grades of gasoline, www.9195.info. The website, updated regularly, includes Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and information on the grade of gasoline needed for each type of motor vehicle. The information campaign will continue with television talk shows, SMS messages and articles.
Saudi Aramco has also established a toll-free hotline - 800-124-9195 - to answer questions from the public about the two grades of gasoline.
Preparations for the awareness campaign included sending an information pamphlet to service station owners. Advertisements were placed in six local Saudi newspapers and meetings were held with gas station owners in different cities of the kingdom to introduce the new product.
Studies undertaken by Saudi Aramco in cooperation with government agencies show that most gas stations are ready to receive the new product, while a small percentage can use the new gasoline after making minor modifications. The remaining gas stations cannot receive the new grade of gasoline for various reasons, the most important of which is limited space.
(3)Saudi Aramco has distinguished between the two grades of gasoline with different colors. The new gasoline, Premium 91, will be colored green so consumers can easily distinguish between it and the current grade, Premium 95, which will remain red. This is a precautionary measure by the company to fight fraud. The new logos for the two grades of gasoline and the campaign's overall logo will be launched at the start of the awareness campaign Oct. 1.
(4) Some reports and articles in the local media have been confused about the percentages of consumers able to use each grade of gasoline in the Kingdom. Studies have shown that 85% of the cars operating in the Kingdom are designed to use the new product, Premium 91.
The Two Grades of Gasoline website contains makes, models of cars from 1996 to 2007 and shows which take Premium 91 and which require Premium 95.
(5)Some articles in the local media raised the issue of Saudi Aramco's role in upgrading the appearance of service stations in the Kingdom. Saudi Aramco supports such improvements, but notes that the company's role is limited to providing service stations safely and reliably with gasoline. Upgrading gas stations' standards and monitoring their performance is the responsibility of many Government agencies and Saudi Aramco will not hesitate to support these agencies in such efforts.
Saudi Aramco expressed its deep appreciation to all who have written positive articles about the new grade of gasoline and said the company would strive to meet all expectations and continue to make contributions in the best interests of the country and its citizens.
© The Saudi Gazette 2006
