The FINANCIAL — Wissol, one of the largest scale businesses is Georgia, has added the new Auto Express service to its diversified business.
The FINANCIAL — Wissol, one of the largest scale businesses is Georgia, has added the new Auto Express service to its diversified business. Auto Express will be developed in three directions: development of oil and lubricant change boxes placed near Wissol petrol stations; vulcanization services and realization of wheels; as well as development of services of car transformation on natural gas usage.
Total production and vulcanization service will first be available from late February in the Wissol station located on the left bank of the river Mtkvari. The entire Auto Express service will be available at the Mukhiani Wissol station by the middle of March.
French Total Oil and Lubricants
Wissol is the exclusive importer of automobile oil and lubricants of French company Total, one of the world’s major oil and gas groups. The first import from France will be 50 tons of Total oil, and later the company plans to increase the volume up to 300 tons.
“Total production will be available in 15 locations throughout Georgia during the year 2011. Together with high quality oil and lubricants individuals will get free service from the company – a free change of oil and filter,” said Guram Dapkviashvili, Auto Express.
According to Dapkviashvili, the investment amount is 100,000 USD per box, which includes equipment as well as production.
The oil change boxes will be available near Wissol petrol stations throughout Georgia. “The company plans to make 40 Auto Express units in the country. Currently there is no such chain which offers full oil change services and lubricants for cars. Individuals will get a full service package, by the support of a computer programme we will advise the type and quantity of oil the car needs, as well as the time period of oil change,” Dapkviashvili said.
According to Dapkviashvili, the company plans to hold a 5% total oil market share by the end of 2011.
“In the Georgian market 60-70% of large-scale brands are already presented, including Shell, Castrol, Aral, which roughly hold 30-40% of the total oil and lubricants market in Georgia. This is due to the still low share of brand cars in Georgia versus the large number of old automobiles in use in the country, which require low-quality oil,” said Dapkviashvili.
The high quality French Total production will be for different types of motor, brake and differential, as well as transmission boxes both for automatics and mechanics, and antifreeze.
“At the first stage we offer car oil products, later we plan to expand our products and services and supply plants, ships, and airplanes. Total is a very famous brand and has millions of consumers. We want our customers to share this brand experience as well and receive the quality of a product which is very popular and widespread in western European and other countries as well.” Dapkviashvili said.
“Total products will be distinguished by their price and quality. These products will have competitive prices and the highest quality, imported directly from France exclusively for Wissol consumers. The price of production differs according to the type and packaging. Now we offer four types of motor oils and the price varies from 9-25 GEL. The price of product includes VAT and we give consumers an opportunity to accumulate bonus points by Unicard as well,” Dapkviashili said.
Total has a wide network of chains throughout all the continents. Its production is available in America, Europe, and in many countries of Africa. Total has already entered the Caucasus region, having partners in both Armenia and Azerbaijan as well.
“Total is one of those companies that provides high quality products, is trusted and recommended by companies like BMW and Mercedes,” Dapkviashvili said.
Vulcanization
The vulcanization service is divided in two directions: the full package of vulcanization service and import and realization of wheels. “Wissol will bring different brand high quality wheels to the market, the service will be available at Wissol petrol stations from February. Currently we have ongoing negotiations with companies to decide which brand’s production will be imported,” Dapkviahsvili said.
Car switch to Natural Gas
The development of a service of switching cars on natural gas has several advantages; gas is of low price and ecologically free fuel. The service will be available in Mukhiani in the middle of March, and later 2-3 service units will be added in Tbilisi.
“According to our capacity, each day we will be able to serve 3-7 cars and switch them to natural gas usage,” Dapkviashvili said.
The price of transformation varies according to the type of the automobile and ranges between 1,500-2,300 GEL. The cars will be technically safe, and the individual will get a long term guarantee as well being trained and given instructions. Moreover in cooperation with major Georgian banks Wissol will be offering an instalment service. Needing only one’s ID card an individual can get a bank loan to cover this.
“we cooperate with Italian partners and transformation equipments are also provided by them. Furthermore, the major advantage of natural gas is its low cost. Petrol prices are increasing while gas remains stable, and practically reduces consumer spending by two times,” Dapkviashvili said.
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