Russians Favor Imported Engine Oils
Despite the governments push to promote local products, Russian motorists still favor foreign oil brands by wide margins, with ExxonMobils Mobil brand being the most popular. Russian analytics firm Autostat surveyed motorists across the country, and findings based on responses from 2,000 individuals are compiled in a report titled, Preferences of the Car Owners in Motor Oil Selection. Top-20 Popular Brands.
Around 77 percent of those asked what kind of motor oil has been poured into their car engines are aware of the products brand and its producer, Autostat said in its announcement. Seventy-four percent of respondents said they follow original equipment manufacturer recommendations on oil change frequency. Fifty-two percent of those surveyed said they follow OEM advice about the brand of motor oil to use.
Asked to identify factors in their choice of brand, 43 percent of respondents cited past experience. The survey allowed them to choose more than one factor, and 20 percent said they follow recommendations of auto service stations employees; 17 percent rely on information from auto industry publications; 16 percent rely on suggestions by friends; and 14 percent follow advice from car owners in internet forums and social networks. Ranking last among listed factors, at 9 percent, was recommendations by salesmen in retail stores.
Autostat said that 52 percent of respondents buy their engine oil in auto parts stores. Far fewer – just 20 percent – buy from sanctioned car dealerships during maintenance checks. Thirteen percent buy from independent service stations, 5 percent from online stores, 4 percent at large shopping centers and 3 percent at fuel stations.
As in most countries, a strong majority of people pay someone to change their oil. Thirty-four percent said they changed their own oil at a friends garage, and 32 percent reported having the work done at a car maintenance shop. Around 19 percent go to workshops at auto dealerships, 8 percent to independent quick lube stations and 6 percent to friends who are mechanics.
Autostat found that Russians choose imported brands far more than domestic brands. Mobil was selected by the highest number of respondents, followed by Castrol and Shell. Germanys LiquiMoly and Frances Motul ranked fourth and fifth, followed by the most popular Russian brand, Lukoil. ExxonMobils Esso, Elf, SKs Zic and Total rounded out the top 10. Six Russian brands appeared in the second 10: Mannol (11), G-Energy (16), Rosneft (17) Luxe (18), Ravenol (19) and TNK (20).
Survey results can be viewed in Russian at www.autostat.ru/news/view/21232