Convincing Indian motorists to use higher quality engine oils requires a collective effort by car and motorcycle manufacturers, oil marketers, installers and traders, according to industry insiders attending a conference last week in Mumbai, India.

With 240 million existing vehicles and booming sales, China is a crucial automotive lubes market, Infineum says. However, suppliers must cater to the nations rapidly changing fuel regulations to get ahead.

An April 9 fire damaged an Ahmedabad, India, depot owned by a distributor of Tide Water Oil Co., burning approximately Rs 13.5 million (U.S. $212,000) worth of Veedol-branded lubricants.

S-Oil saw first quarter base oil revenue drop compared to the same period a year ago because of a slide in prices, but its operating income surged significantly.

Malaysias Petronas Dagangan Bhd. recently signed an eight-year, 51 million ringgit (U.S. $14 million) lubricants supply contract with Malaysian port operator Pelabuhan Tanjung Pelepas Sdn.