Royal Dutch/Shell Group (Shell) announced today (Wednesday, June 29, 2005), that all Mercedes cars sold by Gargash Enterprises, the Mercedes-Benz general distributor for DaimlerChrysler AG, in Dubai, Sharjah and the Northern Emirates, will use Shell Helix Ultra AB, a special lubricant blended in collaboration with Mercedes-Benz. International.
With this partnership, Gargash Enterprises becomes the first Mercedes dealer in the Middle East to use Shell lubricants products. Shell Lubricants was recently named a 2004 DaimlerChrysler (the Mercedes-Benz parent company) supplier of the year for outstanding performance in the European market.
“Through the years, Mercedes has maintained its image as makers of some of the finest cars, which are not only known for the quality of their performance and elegant styling, but are also a status symbol around the world. As the distributors for Mercedes-Benz cars in Dubai, Sharjah and the Northern Emirates, it is our priority to ensure the best performance of the cars. In line with our policy of continuous improvement and maximum customer satisfaction, we decided to provide customers with Shell’s high quality oil, imported from Germany, which retains the high residual value of Mercedes-Benz,” said Richard Barber, General Manager, Gargash Enterprises.
Speaking at a press conference in Dubai to announce the partnership, Quentin Freddie D’Silva, General Manager, Shell Middle East and Central Asia, said: “Shell shares a long history of successful partnership with Mercedes-Benz as Shell lubricants are being used in cars and trucks around the world. Our new partnership with Gargash Enterprises means we can now extend our association with Mercedes cars in the UAE, as all these cars are filled with special Shell grade oil when they leave the Mercedes plant in Stuttgart, Germany. All our products are developed to industry requirements and international standards.”
“Our partnership with Gargash Enterprises represents a synergy of two leading brands that share common values and a constant focus on providing top quality products and services to customers,” he added.
DaimlerChrysler Middle East recently commended Gargash Enterprises for achieving record sales in 2004 and it also received the top dealership award from HSBC. Gargash Enterprises employs more than 750 people and provides its customers with the latest technologies required in service and parts to stand by Mercedes-Benz worldwide standards. With its aim to provide exceptional service, Gargash Enterprises currently operates six showrooms for new cars, two showrooms for used cars, one showroom for commercial vehicles and seven workshops located in Dubai, Sharjah, Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah.
“This is the beginning of a stronger relationship with Shell. This mutually beneficial alliance will ensure the growth of both parties as we expand our operations in the region,” concluded Barber.
Shell lubricants have been shown to increase gear life in Mercedes-Benz axle and transmission tests. In addition, the use of Shell lubricants results in a significant increase in the service life of gear teeth and bearings, and improvements in temperature levels. Use of Shell oil also supports rapid oil flow characteristics and ensures protection on engine start-up even in cold conditions.
“Shell lubricants ensure longer engine life with the use of high quality additives and protective agents to prevent sludge formation. Moreover, the relevance of Shell lubricants to the Middle East market is amplified, as all lubricants are specially formulated to reduce CO2 emissions, making them environmentally friendly,” highlighted D’Silva.
Shell’s portfolio of top quality lubricant brands includes Pennzoil®, Quaker State®, Shell Helix, Shell Rotella, Shell Tellus, Shell Cassida, Shell Rimula, Shell Spirax and a range of car care products and Jiffy Lube® services.
About Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies:
The Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies, “the Group”, is a diverse group of energy companies with operations in around 145 countries. The Group’s businesses include oil and gas exploration and production; power generation; manufacturing, marketing and shipping of oil products and chemicals and renewable energy projects including wind and solar power. The Group’s parent companies are Royal Dutch Petroleum Company which has a 60% interest in the Group and The “Shell” Transport and Trading Company plc which has a 40% interest in the Group. Shares in the parent companies are traded on stock exchanges in Europe and the US. On 28 October 2004 Royal Dutch Petroleum and Shell Transport and Trading announced proposals for their unification under a single company, Royal Dutch Shell plc, with one Board of Directors. For further information, visit http://www.shell.com
About Shell Lubricants:
Shell Lubricants collectively refers to the companies of the Royal Dutch/Shell Group engaged in the lubricants business. Shell lubricants companies are global leaders in finished lubricants and operate in over 120 countries worldwide. They manufacture and blend products for use in a range of applications from consumer motoring to food processing and heavy industry to commercial transport. Shell’s portfolio of top quality lubricant brands includes Pennzoil®, Quaker State®, Shell Helix, Shell Tellus, Shell Cassida, Shell Rimula, Shell Spirax and a portfolio of car care products and Jiffy Lube® services.
