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MOTORINDIA
l
August 2012
ance products including Castrol RX
Super Max and Castrol RX Turbo.
Over the years, the Castrol CRB
range has remained the cutting-edge
of technology, and has held market
leadership position in all the seg-
ments in which it operates. Castrol
CRB Turbo with Durashield Boost-
ers technology is the latest addition
to the Castrol CRB range. Apart
from Castrol CRB Turbo, we also
have the Castrol RX super series of
lubes which have been specifically
tested, made for and recommended
by Tata Motors for their range of
trucks, buses and LCV’s.
MI: Could you please elaborate
on your efforts to reach out your
products to fleet operators?
SB:
Castrol India has one of the
largest distribution networks for
lubricants in the country, reaching
out to 150,000 customers through
70,000 retail outlets. Around 20,000
of these outlets reach out specifical-
ly to transporters and fleet owners.
Castrol has a strong presence in
the transport industry with a lead-
ership position in the multigrade
diesel engine oil segment. With
the Castrol CRB Turbo re-launch,
Castrol is reaching out to fleet own-
ers, along with its dealer partners,
through programs in 43 transport
hubs across the country. The com-
munication program includes one-
on-one engagements, fleet owner
meets, below-the-line initiatives,
etc. In addition we also use televi-
sion, print and outdoor to inform
and reinforce the key proposition to
our consumers.
MI: What are your plans for de-
velopment of new technology lu-
bricants to comply with Euro IV
& Euro V emission norms?
SB:
Castrol, being a multi-
national and a global company,
is in a great position here.
The emission norms in India
follow the European trends.
However, due to our access to
global technology and trends we
already have well established for-
mulations for various engine plat-
forms complying with the Euro IV
and Euro V norms.
MI: The auto industry is head-
ing towards cleaner and greener
fuels. What are Castrol’s R&D
initiatives towards being more
energy-efficient to support the
cause?
SB:
A lubricant can directly or
indirectly contribute significantly
towards energy efficiency by either
providing higher fuel efficiency
or by extending the drain intervals
of the engine oil (or both). Castrol
India have a series of products that
can be compatible with various fuel
types as well as stand alone products
which contribute towards higher
fuel efficiency and extended drains.
These products not only are of inter-
national quality but are extensively
tested locally to ensure relevance in
Indian consumer markets.
MI: Are you looking at expand-
ing your presence across the coun-
try? Considering the growing
number of automotive companies
in the South, particularly in and
around Chennai, do you have any
specific plans to cater to the region
by setting up a new facility?
SB:
Over the years, Castrol India
has developed a strong manufac-
turing and marketing infrastructure
including three plants and a distri-
bution network which reaches out
through 365 distributors to around
150,000 customers including retail.
We already have three plants in the
country (Silvassa, Paharpur and
Patalganga) which have sufficient
capacity to service customers across
the country and therefore we cur-
rently have no plans to set up a new
manufacturing facility in the South.
MI: Finally, what are Castrol’s
plans and targets for the coming
year in the dynamic Indian mar-
ket?
SB:
According to internal esti-
mates, Castrol India currently enjoys
a market share of approximately 25
per cent (*as per Nielsen (India)
Private Ltd. reports) and we remain
optimistic of long-term growth po-
tential. This is based on both the
growth prospects for the automotive
and non-automotive lubricants in In-
dia as well as the strong competitive
position that Castrol enjoys based
on its technology leadership, strong
brands, enduring relationships with
all key stakeholders and the com-
mitment of its people.
w
lubes & fuels