LEXINGTON, Ky., Sept. 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Valvoline today
announced an agreement with leading automotive retailer Group 1 Automotive,
Inc. (NYSE: GPI), that will see Valvoline premium products offered at the
company's U.S. dealerships.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040113/ASHLANDLOGO )
The marketing and supply agreement is only the latest announcement
related to the Ashland Inc. division's increasing emphasis on North
America's "do-it- for-me" or DIFM business.
"We see this agreement as a complement to Group 1's quality customer
service," said Valvoline President Sam Mitchell. "Providing premium
solutions to dealerships and their customers is a key to our DIFM business
strategy."
Houston-based Group 1 Automotive, Inc., a Fortune 500 automotive
retailer, is a leading operator in the $1 trillion automotive retailing
industry and has grown to become one of the top five dealership groups in
the United States. Group 1 owns and operates nearly 100 dealerships that
sell 32 brands of automobiles in the United States.
"Our relationship with an iconic American brand like Valvoline will
further strengthen our customer service experience and standardize our
business processes to improve the performance of our dealerships," said
Earl J. Hesterberg, Group 1's president and chief executive officer.
"Through this supplier relationship we are streamlining our supply chain,
leveraging our scale and continuing to deliver value to our shareholders."
About Valvoline
Valvoline, a division of Ashland Inc., has been serving American
motorists longer than any other motor oil company and is a leading
innovator and supplier of quality, high-performing automotive and
industrial products in more than 100 countries. Best known for its
lubricants, Valvoline also markets Eagle One(R) appearance products, Car
Brite(R) car restoration products, Zerex(R) antifreeze, SynPower(R)
performance products, Pyroil(R) automotive chemicals and MaxLife(R)
products created for higher-mileage engines.
About Ashland Inc.
Ashland Inc. (NYSE: ASH), a diversified, global chemical company,
provides quality products, services and solutions to customers in more than
100 countries. A FORTUNE 500 company, it operates through four divisions:
Ashland Performance Materials, Ashland Distribution, Valvoline and Ashland
Water Technologies. To learn more about Ashland, visit http://www.ashland.com.
About Group 1 Automotive, Inc.
Group 1 owns and operates 99 automotive dealerships, 136 franchises,
and 28 collision service centers in the United States and three
dealerships, six franchises and two collision centers in the United Kingdom
that offer 32 brands of automobiles. Through its dealerships, the company
sells new and used cars and light trucks; arranges related financing,
vehicle service and insurance contracts; provides maintenance and repair
services; and sells replacement parts. Group 1 Automotive can be reached on
the Internet at http://www.group1auto.com.
(R)Registered trademark of Ashland
FORTUNE 500 is a registered trademark of Time Inc.
SOURCE Group 1 Automotive, Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.ashland.com
http://www.group1auto.com
Photo Notes:http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040113/ASHLANDLOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/065263.html/
CONTACT:
Barry Bronson of Ashland Inc.,
+1-859-357-7393, barry_bronson@ashland.com; or Clint Woods of
Group 1, +1-713-627-2223, cwoods@piercom.com
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