Prices for Castrol brand finished lubricants will increase up to 4 percent effective June 18, BP Lubricants USA recently told its customers.
The increase affects all passenger car, motorcycle, commercial and ancillary products, including synthetics, in all package types, the company said in a May 17 letter to customers. Some price changes to certain products may fall outside the general percentage amount. The letter didnt disclose the reasons for the price increase.
Several major oil companies-Shell, Chevron, Phillips 66, Citgo, and Ashland Consumer Markets (Valvoline) – previously notified U.S. customers of finished lubricant price increases that would take effect from late May through early June, most citing increases in base oil and additives costs.
Last year, several rounds of finished lube price increases went into effect from early February through early March, mid-April through early May, mid-June through early July, and throughout September. The last such increase for Castrol finished lubricant products occurred in September 2011.