Press Release

The sales increase of fuels proves that BENZINA plus scores at the customers

Prague, 13 June 2007 - Transformation of the largest gas station chains presented by BENZINA last fall is going on successfully. The drivers may now use above standard services in the attractive environment of premium gas stations BENZINA plus at already 34 stations all over the Czech Republic. The number of these gas stations will increase up to 78 by the end of this year and it is planned a total of 78 of these stations in the Czech Republic in 2009. The improvement of services, attractive environment and other changes at BENZINA are resulting in increasing sales of fuels and broader range of goods in shops, as well as the volume of services sold. For example, in the area of fuels, the plan has been exceeded by more than 10 percent within five months.

„The reconstruction of the entire chain should be completed in 2009, however we will be able to complete the improvement of 156 stations this year. The total costs of this transformation will reach 1.3 billion CZK, while we already invested to date 200 mil. CZK," stated the executive of the company, Martin Durčák. This upgrading is not only the largest project of this type in the history of Benzina but also the largest modernization in the history of the Czech retail market in the area of gas stations.

Sales are growing beyond expectations
Not only that BENZINA outperforms the plan and performance of last year but its fuel sales are growing more dynamically compared to fuels sales of the entire market, where e.g. the car petrol showed a slight increase by approximately 2%. BENZINA is experiencing percentage increase also in the area of premium fuels, where the sales increased y/y by 58% in the first four months. That represents outperforming f a highly ambitious plan for the premium fuels that projected an increase of 40 %. This fact also confirms the change of the customers' portfolio of BENZINA now newly including also motorcyclists and owners of the higher class sport cars.

Two brands, various customers
As part of its transformation, BENZINA divided its chain in two brands targeting various groups of customers. Given its location close to main highways, BENZINA plus will target younger customers and professional drivers with its top services and premium fuels. Approximately double number of reconstructed traditional BENZINA gas stations targeting the broad public will be added to the premium stations.

Modern design in new colors
The complex changes are based on unification of appearance of both chains of BENZINA gas stations. The premium BENZINA gas stations will get an appearance of modern European gas stations substituting the traditional red and white colors by a red, silver and blue color scheme. The traditional BENZINA gas stations will keep the original colors while getting a new look. The most visible changes will happen at the Kaučuk and Paramo stations that still have the original yellow and blue colors.

In addition to the significant exterior improvements related to the gas station, such as output and service spots or immediately adjacent locations, the transformation also relates to the interior and services offered. The gas stations buildings will be newly equipped; the shops will be expanded by a separate restaurant space. The customers will be able to choose from a broad range of accessories and services available in most cases on the 24/7hours. A significant emphasis will also be put on the quality of restaurants and the professional approach of staff at gas stations by way of regular training..

Top Technology
The current upgrading process of the retail chain is only the visible part of the entire improvement plan. In 90s of the 20th century, BENZINA spent significant amounts on reconstruction of the technology and so called underground part - modernization related for example to the system of double surface tanks and pipelines with tightness and reverse steam exhaust monitoring to make secure full compliance with the complex EU environmental requirements. Thus, the company invested in 1995-1999 approximately 6 billion CZK and as a result of that it has today a top quality technology securing a problem free operation. That is also one of the reasons of BENZINA's leading market position in the quality.

Verva 100 for demanding drivers
However, people come to gas stations mainly to refill their cars. BENZINA plus would like to address even the most demanding drivers by its top fuel Verva 100 which significantly improves the engine performance, its life span as well as the fuel consumption. The Verva 100 petrol is offered already by 50 gas stations and the results of the first four months of 2007 show that Verva 100 is more attractive for the drivers compared to the older BENZINA premium fuel Blue Octan 99. BENZINA sold 261,000 liters of Verva 100 in the period from January to April of this year.

About BENZINA

BENZINA, s.r.o., with its 319 public gas stations operates the largest national network in the Czech Republic offering fuel and other goods and services to a broad range of customers. BENZINA was established on 1 January 1994 by dividing the former state enterprise BENZINA to BENZINA, a. s., ČEPRO, a. s., (product pipelines) and state enterprise BENZINA. Today, the company is a 100% subsidiary of UNIPETROL holding. The last major milestone in the history of BENZINA was 1 May 2007, when BENZINA changed its legal form from a joint stock company to a limited liability company. In 2006, BENZINA controlled 11.5% of market, thus ranking third on the local retail market. In 2006, Benzina showed a profit of 16,25 mil. CZK according to Czech accounting standards, at the total sales of 13, 2 billion CZK.