ExxonMobil’s range of commercial and passenger vehicle and industrial oils and lubricants are to be solely distributed by Exxon-authorised Centlube in South Africa, with the deal already concluded in January this year.

Speaking at the announcement, made during a “Mobil Lubricant’s Experience” (MLE) day at the Gerotek vehicle testing facility last week, ExxonMobil’s cluster manager for South Africa, Vincent Cartier, said that the country is a very important market to ExxonMobil, which is why it “wanted to reinvigorate the brand locally and refocus its energy on this part of the world.”

The company established a local office for the first time in 10 years in Cape Town, which it also opened in January this year. “The partnership with Centlube reflects a strong and long-term commitment to South Africa,” he added.

Lawrence Kearns, lubricant sales director for Europe, Africa and the Middle-East at ExxonMobil said: “The lubricants industry in South Africa is significant and, as we see it, the growth prospects of this market are very good with an increasing demand for higher quality lubricants. Today’s event highlights our commitment to the long-term development of that market and particularly to the growth of high-quality lubricants in that market.

“We want to build on our existing foundation, which is long established, and build that for the long-term to deliver a world-class service in partnership with Centlube.

“Centlube is a company that shares our dedication to quality and service. With its 25-year history and our mutual vision, we’ll ensure that the excellence synonymous with the ExxonMobil brand will flow seamlessly through the whole supply chain. Shoulder to shoulder with Centlube, we can combine our leading edge solutions and lubrication expertise with their local market knowledge and experience.

“Together, we’ll help you to optimise performance, reduce costs and enhance the efficiency of cars, trucks and machines across the country. Together we’ll be offering customers the most advanced lubricant technologies, not only for commercial and passenger vehicles but also for the industrial applications, such as the mining sector, which is so important to the country.

“As a business, we continually innovate and enhance our services to match the evolving market so that we can meet the needs of an increasingly sophisticated and demanding customer base.

“As our upstream and downstream businesses establish themselves here in South Africa, we plan to make a positive impact in the community. Our country strategy focuses on education, health, environment and female economic empowerment. We recognise these are exciting and challenging times and we want to demonstrate that, by working together with you, we can help you to be in a better position to address those challenges.”

The MLE event was about discovery, discussion and interaction and included an Oculus Rift experience, live band and photo booth photo sessions with a virtual Jenson Button.