JEDDAH, 19 November 2006 — “Red or green?” is the question gas station attendants will be asking across Saudi Arabia following Aramco’s introduction of a new grade of gasoline set to debut on Jan. 1.
The second grade of gasoline will be 91 octane and will sell under the name of “Premium 91.” Currently, the only grade of gas available on the Saudi domestic market is 95 octane called “Premium 95.”
In accordance with the Council of Minister’s decision in 2003, the price of Premium 91 will be set at 60 halalas per liter with the cost of the present grade, Premium 95, increasing to 75 halalas per liter.
Since Oct. 1, Saudi Aramco has launched an awareness campaign on TV and radio, along with news releases and ads in local newspapers. The objective of the campaign is to acquaint the public with the new product before its introduction into the market on Jan. 1.
As part of the campaign, Saudi Aramco has set up an Internet website at www.9195.info which addresses common questions about the new gasoline and identifies the proper grade for use in each vehicle besides providing other relevant information.
They’ve also designated a toll-free telephone number during the campaign, 800-124-9195, to further answer questions or take comments on the new gas.
In a statement, a spokesperson for Saudi Aramco told Arab News: “Our experience so far has been that drivers in Saudi Arabia are very receptive to the idea of using the grade of gasoline that is most appropriate for their vehicles. Saudi Arabia is offering a second grade of gasoline to provide a more economical choice for most of the car owners and drivers in the Kingdom.”
In response to the advertising campaign, many motorists around the Kingdom are enthusiastically awaiting the breakthrough of the new gas onto the market.
“I just bought a new 2007 Nissan Tiida and am planning to switch to Premium 91 gasoline as soon as it’s available,” said Tarek Al-Wasiya, Saudi motorist and former captain for Saudi Airlines. “I think the introduction of the new gas is a positive step for the Kingdom as it will bring in additional revenue and further boost our economy.”
In the interest of consumer protection and as a precautionary measure to fight fraud, Aramco has added a distinguishing color additive to both grades of gasoline with Premium 91 being green and Premium 95 remaining red.
In cooperation with the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Saudi Aramco has done extensive studies and research on vehicle models 1996 to 2007 and has proven that over 85 percent of vehicles operating in the country are designed to use Premium 91.
Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Ali Al-Naimi was quoted as saying that for vehicles to continue to use 95-octane gasoline will be an unjustified waste of consumer’s money.
Arab News asked gas station owners around Jeddah about their opinion of the introduction of a second grade of gasoline onto the market.
Said Ahmed Al-Ghamdi, Saudi owner of Al-Wurwury gas station in Jeddah, commented that he thinks the number of people using Premium 91 and those sticking to Premium 95 will be split depending on where the motorists live. He said the majority of south Jeddah residents will remain with the existing grade of gas due to a number of them owning older model cars with the remainder of the residents trying Premium 91.
