In a press release last Sunday, Shell announced that it is now the only recommended global supplier for aftermarket engine oils for the following BMW brands: BMW, BMW i, BMW M, MINI and BMW Motorrad.
From the start of 2015, Shell’s premium engine oils will be available to customers at BMW Group’s network of more than 3,500 dealers, in more than 140 countries, including China, Germany, Russia, South Africa, South Korea, the UK and the USA.
The collaboration means that Shell will produce and supply BMW’s branded engine oils. Supported by Shell’s PurePlus technology,a patented gas-to-liquid (GTL) process, developed over 40 years of research, which converts natural gas into a crystal-clear base oil, these products will meet the latest BMW engine specifications.
The fundamental constituent of finished oils is base oil, which is usually derived from crude oil, and it plays a vital role in the quality of the finished engine oil. The base oil is produced at the Pearl GTL plant in Qatar, a partnership between Shell and Qatar Petroleum. BMW service customers can now reap benefit from the alliance between Shell’s global lubricants supply chain and its gas value chain in Qatar.
Mark Gainsborough, Executive Vice President for Shell Lubricants, said: “We are honoured to become the BMW Group’s recommended supplier of aftermarket engine oil. We look forward to jointly supplying, distributing and marketing these oils, as of start 2015.”
“This is recognition of the benefits of Shell’s engine oil expertise and cutting-edge technology by one of the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles. This includes an acknowledgment of the value of our most recent innovation: Shell PurePlus Technology for premium engine oils.”
“This deal brings two leading brands together to offer the best of performance and technology to BMW service customers. Both companies have a very strong commitment to premium products and services, giving us much in common.”