The first Lucas Oil Center is expected to open by January 2011 in Evansville, Ind., launching Lucas-branded motor oils and other products into the do-it-for-me market for the first time.
Lucas Oil Center LLC, a business led by majority principals Bill and Brenda Floyd, obtained licensing and support from Corona, Calif.-based Lucas Oil. The first center in Evansville will offer oil change and lube service, along with minor maintenance service to include brake, cooling and air conditioning system services. It will also provide express, full serve washes, auto and motorcycle detailing.
Originally focused on producing aftermarket additives for the heavy-duty trucking industry, Lucas Oil has in recent years branched out into motor oils and other lubricants, and performance and detail products for automotive and motorcycle use.
There are many people who are familiar with the Lucas brand, but have not used our products because until now theyve only been available to do-it-yourself enthusiasts who service their own vehicles, stated Forrest Lucas, president and CEO of Lucas Oil. We are very supportive of the Floyds venture as it carries the Lucas Oil name, and really excited about the growth potential with what this facility offers the customer.
The center will feature Lucas Oil motor oil changes using both bulk and bottled product. Geographically, the nice thing about putting it in Evansville is that were within 90 miles of their main mixing facility, Bill Floyd told Lube Report. That allows us to develop the bulk oil delivery, as they have bulk trucks available to bring that over. Well refine that as we go along with the expansion.
The Lucas Oil Center will still offer major leading brands for customers who prefer them, he said, such as Pennzoil and Mobil 1. There wont be bulk storage of those, so if the customer is used to using that, well pour that by bottle, he added. We still would want to give them the same service were going to provide. If we do a transmission service, wed use Lucas transmission fluid and those things.
The business plans eventually to build additional facilities in select Indiana locations. Were in the southern tip, still three hours from Indianapolis, he noted. On the outskirts of surrounding cities, the major cities in Indiana and throughout Indianapolis – for sure we would want to grow in that area.
He emphasized that the Lucas Oil Center business isnt a model for a franchise.
The plan is to hone in and begin to build more company-owned stores, Floyd continued. Maybe well have a little bit slower growth, and well be able to have a lot of control in what our product and our service offerings are.