ACDelco Motor Oil launched in Saudi Arabia
APSCO to Blend & Balubaid to Distribute Saudi-Produced Premium Grade Motor Oil

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia –March 2005 – ACDelco has signed a unique agreement with the Arabian Petroleum Supply Company (APSCO) to blend and Omar Balubaid Company to distribute Saudi-produced premium grade motor oil in the Kingdom.

ACDelco, which is a subsidiary of General Motors, has been an integral part of the automotive industry for almost 100 years, establishing a reputation for setting industry standards for top quality automotive parts.

“We estimate the market for passenger vehicle motor oil in Saudi Arabia to be worth almost 140 million litres per year, with premium grade oil making up about 60% of this,” commented Joe Elenz, Aftersales Director, General Motors Middle East speaking at the launch. “We firmly believe that we are creating a winning partnership with APSCO and Balubaid and are confident that it will allow us to capture a large part of this market.

“Today marks an important milestone in the history of the ACDelco brand internationally. Not only are we adding another product to our already extensive portfolio but most importantly, ACDelco Motor Oil is produced in Saudi Arabia for Saudi Arabia. It gives a strong indication of General Motors’ commitment to the Kingdom.”

Balubaid, the sole distributor for ACDelco Motor Oil in Saudi Arabia, will distribute the new products, which have been specially refined to perform in the world’s hottest regions and offer the highest viscosity grade in their selected segments. The specially-formulated blends provide extra protection for engines that are required to endure more stress and heat than those used in the world’s cooler climes, offering a blend of detergents and dispersants to help keep engines clean, reducing engine wear and corrosion and, in the case of the premium energy-conserving grades, providing better fuel economy.

The high-quality ACDelco 10W30 grade oil is suitable for use in all 4-stroke gasoline engines for passenger cars, vans or light trucks that recommend an SAE 10W30 and API SJ, SH or ILSAC GF-2 motor oil. It provides protection against sludge and deposits, while resisting viscosity and thermal breakdown even in severe circumstances. The viscosity grade is suitable for most climates and also provides maximum fuel economy.

ACDelco 20W50 is the highest viscosity grade in the Select family, making it the most appropriate quality for the world’s warmer climatic regions. It offers top performance and excellent engine protection, as well as very good value. Although primarily designed for gasoline engines, it can also be used for light-duty diesel engines as well.

ACDelco Motor Oil will be distributed Kingdom-wide to all major retail outlets, puncture shops and service centres. The new products will also be available at Balubaid’s comprehensive network of spare parts stores throughout Saudi Arabia.

Since ACDelco was launched in the Middle East in the early 1960s, the brand has quickly become synonymous with quality, safety and reliability. ACDelco is already the market leader in automotive batteries, supplying a battery for every vehicle available in the Middle East.

ACDelco has an almost unique capability to handle all makes and all models of automotive vehicle regardless of the manufacturer. Today ACDelco supplies more than 75,000 component parts in 57 different component classifications backed by a regional distribution centre in Dubai. ACDelco consistently brings new advances in parts technology, smart inventions and innovative ideas to the marketplace ahead of its competitors. All ACDelco parts are engineered and rigorously tested to ensure that they meet or exceed original manufacturers’ specifications.

CONTACT(S):
Saada Hammad
Communications and Public Relations Manager
General Motors Middle East
Tel (+9714) 3143350
e-mail saada.hammad@gm.com

About ACDelco
A division of General Motors Corporation, ACDelco strives to maintain the highest standards in the industry, delivering quality automotive parts for almost all makes and models of automotive vehicles. Consistently bringing new advances in parts technology, smart inventions and innovative ideas to the marketplace ahead of its competitors, ACDelco supplies more than 75,000 parts, including spark plugs, batteries, brakes and filters.

Every month, ACDelco ships 36,000 tons of automotive replacement parts to retail outlets and repair shops throughout the globe. Whether you fix your own vehicle or have a technician do it, ACDelco supplies the parts you need.

ACDelco’s Service Centre network spans the Middle East region, taking the stress out of vehicle maintenance and servicing for all makes and models of automotive vehicles. ACDelco service centres cater to all of your service needs, from regular vehicle maintenance to specialized automotive repair.