IOC to scale up retail outlets for branded fuel

Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) will scale up the number of retail outlets selling branded fuels by 50 per cent by March 2005. The company already sells its branded diesel 'Xtramile" at 1968 petrol bunks and branded petrol `Xtrapremium' at over 846 petrol stations across the country.

N G Kannan, director (marketing), IOC, said in a press release: "We intend to scale up the number of retail outlets selling Xtramile and Xtrapremium to enhance our market share. By March 2005, we expect to increase the number of retail outlets selling these branded fuels by 50 per cent. With the emission control standards going up and new benchmarks expected under the automotive fuel policy, Xtrapremium, with 91 Octane, will emerge as a new benchmark in the market".

An increasing number of passenger car owners are shifting to branded fuel as it gives better mileage, lowers maintenance costs and protects the engine.

IOC's Xtramile enjoys a market share of over 80 per cent while Xtrapremium has notched up a share of 30 per cent.