Volume 3 Issue 5

U.S. Finished Lube Prices Spike

Shell, ExxonMobil, Chevron, Phillips 66 and several smaller blenders notified United States customers of impending finished lubricant price increases that take effect from mid-February through mid-March. Some companies cited increasing costs for raw materials used in production and delivery of their products.

Amalie Awaits Settlement Approval in Lawsuit

Amalie Oil Co. and the plaintiffs of a class action lawsuit against the company have asked a Florida circuit court to grant final approval on a settlement agreed upon by the two sides late last year, according to the Independent Lubricant Manufacturers Association. Amalie is an ILMA member.

Auto Sales Slide in U.S. in 2019

Automotive sales in the United States for 2019 are expected to reach just above 17 million, down around 1 percent, according to companies that track data from U.S. automobile dealers and original equipment manufacturers. Pickup truck and SUV sales continued to thrive, they found, while passenger car sales declined.

From Other Editions of Lube Report

Briefly Noted

Fuchs Group completed its acquisition of Fairhaven, Massachusetts-based synthetic lubricants blender Nye Lubricants. Under a new agreement, participating International Truck dealers across Canada gained access to Petro-Canada Lubricants’ products. Calumet Specialty Products Partners L.P. promoted Scott Obermeier to executive vice president of commercial. Obermeier will lead the company’s base oils, solvents and specialty oils and waxes business units. Take 5 Oil Change, which has more than 500 quick lubes in the United States, will enter the Canadian market by converting 39 Pro Oil Change shops across four provinces.