Press Release

Verva 95 - a new addition to line of premium fuel

"BENZINA is the clear leader on the Czech premium fuel market. We aim to offer clients new products and "tailor-made" fuels that correspond exactly to the clients' requirements.  For this reason, we are introducing Verva 95, which is more accessible than Verva 100 in terms of price," says Václav Loula, Quality Control Director at BENZINA.

The new Verva is an octane-95 petrol that was created based on a new formula of additives and that uses the most modern lubricants, detergents, antioxidants and anticorrosives for higher performance and a clean and better protected engine. It is a new addition to BENZINA's existing line of premium fuels.

The introduction of Verva 95 and expansion of the premium fuel line to other BENZINA petrol stations relate to the termination of the sale of Speciál 91 petrol. Due to low demand, the refinery already ceased deliveries of it at the beginning of the month, with petrol stations only selling it while supplies last. "We decide to replace Speciál 91 with Verva 95 based on market demands, as we have been registering long-running interest in higher quality fuels to the detriment of non-perspective ones, which without a doubt includes Speciál 91," said Václav Loula adding that: "Customers with cars with hardened valve seats can use 95-octane petrol without any problems by adding BNADIT BA, which is available at our petrol stations."

Consumption of Speciál 91 has been steadily declining since 2000 to under 1% in 2009. The permanent fall in demand for Speciál 91 was mainly due to the gradual replacement and modernisation of passenger cars to cars with catalytic converters and motors approved for higher-octane petrol or with modern diesel engines.

Premium fuels at half of all BENZINA petrol stations

By the end of the year, Benzina will expand the number of its petrol stations carrying the premium fuel line. Verva Diesel, which is on offer at 132 petrol stations, will now be on offer at a further 26; by the end of the year, Verva 100 should be on offer at 102 stations; and Verva 95, which is being tested at 9 service stations, will be on offer at 27 petrol stations by year's end. Thanks to gradual expansion and increasing demand, premium fuels will be on offer at half of BENZINA's 336 petrol stations by the end of the year.

BENZINA fuelling cards can now be used at 745 petrol stations

BENZINA has more news for this year. On 1 May 2010, magnetic fuelling cards issued by BENZINA (336 petrol stations) and OMV Česká republika (217 petrol stations) can be used at either station; ČEPRO, which has its own network of petrol stations - EurOil (192 petrol stations), will join the card sharing project on 1 June 2010. BENZINA accepts OMV Business cards and OMV Euro Truck cards from OMV Česká republika, and OMV will, in turn, accept BENZINA's magnetic strip fuelling cards.

Mutual acceptance of cards means that cards will be less expensive to acquire (up to 10x cheaper) and that functionality will be greater. It also provides greater network coverage and increased security in the full on-line monitoring regime.

The aim of this cooperation is to provide customers with more points of sale where they can use one card to pay for fuel and services. Now customers have 750 such places throughout the Czech Republic," says BENZINA Executive Martin Durčák.

Completion of RIS at all BENZINA petrol stations

In May 2010, the retail information and cashier system (RIS) was implemented at all BENZINA petrol stations.

The new information and cashier system means a faster connection to all petrol stations that use the newly tested monitoring system for protecting petrol stations against fuel theft. RIS also makes it possible to obtain detailed analyses and controls for all levels of management. For customers, RIS not only means comfort, but also faster service.

Macroeconomic data - tax evasion

When evaluating macroeconomic data and the development of supplies of fuel in the market for 2008 and 2009, dramatic and unsubstantiated differences appeared, confirming that tax evasion in billions of crowns was taking place on the domestic market.

Over the last three months, BENZINA, in cooperation with ČAPPO (Česká asociace petrolejářského průmyslu a obchodu - Czech Association of Petroleum Industry and Trade), expended much effort, along with the public administration, to have legislation and other measures adopted to significantly limit the negative impacts of this phenomenon.

Cooperation with Burger King

This year, BENZINA is expanding the assortment of food services to include the fast food chain BURGER KING ^â. The first BURGER KING ^â will open in September 2010 at the BENZINA Plus petrol station located on the third kilometre of the D11 motorway close to Horní Počernice.

"The newly opened BURGER KING ^â will be unique in the Czech Republic in that there will be a Drive Thru and that the construction of the building will be in ‘design of the future' style, which is characterised by freshness and elegance with modern and industrial surfaces, black accents, and other artistic details emphasising one of the symbols of the ‘flame broiled' brand," adds Bohumír Bárta of JLV, a.s.

BENZINA promotional events for 2010

Even this year, BENZINA has prepared a promotional event for its customers: "Go Crazy for Legends". As of 15 April 2010, drivers can enjoy gifts, such as brand-name model cars, hats, belts, bags, and the like at all BENZINA and BENZINA Plus petrol stations.

In March 2010, the Internet campaign "Refuel with Temperament" ["Tankujte Temperament"] took place. Its objective was to reinforce awareness of the Verva premium fuel line. The animated advertisement appeared on the servers Seznam.cz, Novinky.cz, iDnes.cz and iHned.cz. It was accompanied by contests on www.benzinaplus.cz for premium fuel vouchers totalling CZK 500 000 and 500 pieces of legendary metallic lighters. During the campaign, the number of visits to BENZINA's website rose sharply.

Verva premium fuels:

Verva 95

A new formulation of additives was created during the development of this new 95-octane petrol. It uses the most modern lubricants, detergents, antioxidants and anticorrosives for enhanced engine performance and protection. This automobile petrol supplements the premium fuel line with an octane-95 fuel and fulfils the demanding requirements of our customers for a modern ride

Verva 100

Premium high-octane automotive petrol Verva 100 was developed with the aim of improving engine performance in various climatic conditions in cars with a variable load and higher compression ratio. A new special additive formula using modern additives was used in the development of this fuel, significantly reducing loss due to friction and having a favourable effect on enhanced engine performance. The Verva 100 special additive formula guarantees lower consumption. Thanks to its properties, Verva 100 petrol keeps the engine clean and ensures its maximum performance. The cleansing effect is directed at the intake valves, injector units, and the combustion system as a whole; it clears old sediments and protects the entire fuel system against corrosion. Moreover, the fuel meets the strictest environmental standards, as it does not contain sulphur.

Verva Diesel

Verva Diesel is recommended especially for cars with modern diesel engines equipped with common rail direct fuel injection. The higher cetane number of this diesel (60 compared to the common 51-53) increases engine efficiency by making it easier to start, reducing friction loss and helping to attain full engine power and, thus, more economical operation. The enhancement of the cetane number leads to a reduction in carbon monoxide emissions, solids concentrations, and engine noise. The enhanced lubricating properties of Verva significantly improve protection of the fuel pump and injection nozzles. Verva Diesel has better low-temperature properties in extreme frost with a filterability parameter of as low as -26 ºC.

About BENZINA

Benzina, s.r.o., with its 336 public petrol stations, operates the largest national chain in the Czech Republic offering fuel and other goods and services to a broad spectrum of customers. The BENZINA brand has been present on the market for almost 50 years. Today, the company is a 100% subsidiary of UNIPETROL holding. In 2009, BENZINA‘s share of the local retail market increased to 14%, compared to the minimum of 9.9% reached in 2005.  Total sales in 2009 amounted to CZK 13.5 billion. For more information, go to www.benzinaplus.cz.