Rather than one of the majors being the first to increase prices in what looks like another round of price increases, it was an independent. Warren Oil Company reportedly announced a $0.20 a gallon increase in the price of its finished lubricant. This increase will reportedly go into effect on September 15.

In what comes as no surprise to most of the marketers Jobbers World speaks with, Warren’s increase was quickly followed by one of the majors moving. ExxonMobil announced yesterday that it will increase the price of Exxon and Mobil branded and unbranded lubricants and greases by an average of 5% to 9% on conventional and synthetic lubricants. In absolute numbers this means many of its conventional lubricants are up $0.52 a gallon and its synthetic are bumped up $0.96 a gallon.

As usual, ExxonMobil attributes this price increase to the higher cost of base oil, packaging, and additives. As a harbinger of what might be lurking in the shadows of its pricing group, ExxonMobil reportedly also advised its marketers that the impact of PC-10 on pricing is still under review.

Lyondell Chemical Company and CITGO Petroleum Corporation announced that Lyondell would buy out CITGO's interest in the joint venture refinery known as LYONDELL-CITGO Refining, LP ("LCR"). As a part of this change, effective September 1, 2006, CITGO will no longer market Tufflo Process Oils and Pale Oils associated with the former LCR facility in Houston, Texas.

Marketers say they have been advised that effective immediately, orders for Tufflo Process Oils and Pale Oils that are expected to be shipped on or after September 1st should be placed with Nynas USA, Inc., Houston, Texas.

At the same time, however, marketers say they are being told CITGO will continue to market all of the White Oil products.

ConocoPhillips announced the introduction of a new DEXRON®-VI automatic transmission fluid (ATF) to comply with the specification upgrades mandated by General Motors. The new DEXRON-VI fluid will be available beginning in August to ConocoPhillips Lubricants customers who purchase products under the Conoco, Phillips 66 and 76 Lubricants brands, according to Walt Silveira, director of automotive products, ConocoPhillips Lubricants.

“Due to the automatic transmission fluid specification changes being implemented by GM, the new DEXRON- VI fluid has been designed with significant performance enhancements in comparison to DEXRON®-III ‘H’ fluids,” said Silveira.

GM introduced DEXRON-VI in April 2005 as the next generation factory fill transmission fluid for 2006 model-year trucks and cars equipped with Hydra- Matic transmissions, which place greater demands on fluid performance because of direct contact between the clutches. The upgraded fluid life is significantly longer due to improvements in oxidation stability, friction durability, shear stability, and foam resistance over current DEXRON-III ‘H’ fluids.

“We are pleased to be at the forefront of the industry by offering DEXRON-VI ATF well in advance of the expiration of the DEXRON-III ‘H’ ATF licenses. We are continually looking for opportunities to lead the charge in product development, meeting both industry and customers' needs,” said Silveira.

ConocoPhillips Lubricants will continue to offer DEXRON-III ‘H’ approved products in the marketplace until December 31, 2006.

Shell announced that effective August 21st the price for all Shell Lubricants branded and Private Label antifreeze and heat transfer fluids will be moved up by amounts up to 10%. Shell attributes this increase to the higher cost of raw material (specifically glycol) and changes in demand in both global and domestic antifreeze markets. In response to the current glycol market dynamics, Shell Lubricants is making a price adjustment.

Owner operators and fleet maintenance managers are encouraged to sign up for Chevron’s free API CJ-4 seminar at this year’s Great American Trucking Show (GATS). The presentation will take a detailed look at the new heavy-duty diesel engine oil category and its use with 2007 and legacy engines.

The seminar features Jim McGeehan, Chevron’s Global Manager of Diesel Engine Oil Technology, SAE Fellow, Chevron Fellow and Chairman of the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Heavy Duty Engine Oil Classification Panel, along with other Chevron experts who will address key 2007 commercial automotive emissions and related engine technology questions.

Chevron is committed to providing information on critical industry issues and is regularly asked to share its expertise at industry events. “As the trucking industry awaits the introduction of the new API CJ-4 engine oil, Chevron is working to provide the information needed to understand the full scope of the new oil and the impact it will have on the market,” explains McGeehan. “Seminars like this are one way for Chevron to directly address customer and industry concerns as we make the transition to 2007.”

Seminar Details Title: “On the Road to 2007 Low Emissions with API CJ-4” Speaker: Jim McGeehan, Chevron’s Global Manager of Diesel Engine Oil Technology, SAE Fellow and Chairman of the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Heavy Duty Engine Oil Classification Panel Date: August 24Time: 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon Location: Room 167 of the Dallas Convention Center Cost: Free, but register to guarantee a seat Show: Great American Trucking Show