BUSINESS/CART: Texaco/Havoline Introduces New Global Look

[Jack Durbin]

Houston, Texas, June 30 -- A new global image is being introduced for the
Texaco Havoline(r)-branded family of lubricants products.
The new Havoline brand mark will start to appear this summer and will
eventually be rolled out everywhere consumers see the Havoline brand,
including merchandising, advertising and motorsports. In the U.S., the
brand mark will first be seen publicly on June 30, on the No. 6 Big
Kmart/Texaco/Havoline Ford driven by Michael Andretti in the CART-sanctioned
Marconi Grand Prix of Cleveland as well the No. 28 Texaco/Havoline Ford at
the NASCAR Pepsi 400 in Daytona Beach, Florida. By August, Americans will
begin to see the new logo, label and case artwork at leading retailers.
Texaco Xpress Lube, the second largest automotive branded quick lube chain
in the U.S., and other professional installers who sell Havoline products
will also start to change point-of-sale materials and signage this fall. In
early 2001, a new bottle design will be launched.
The new look is the result of extensive research conducted in the U.S.,
Latin America and Europe over the course of 1999.
"The purpose of our research was to identify customer perceptions about
the Havoline brand," said Louise Nemanich, president of the lubricants
division of Equilon Enterprises LLC, which manufactures and markets
Havoline-branded products in the U.S. "What we found is that the brand
evokes feelings of heritage and trust in performance for the consumer. We
decided to revamp our image to one that better communicates the leading edge
technology and innovation of the Havoline product line, while building on
the heritage and trust that consumers have placed on our brand over its long
and successful history."
The newly designed brand mark will not include the phrase "Formula3."
"We decided to fully commit our resources to the Havoline name, the
name customers know and trust for quality motor oil and car care products,"
said Nemanich. "The product attributes for which Havoline stand are still
vitally important, and we intend to communicate these benefits in our
advertising, using our theme, 'Havoline. Add More Life to Your Car(r).'
Advertising research has indicated that the brand's positioning of longevity
is relevant and important to our customers, so our advertising message will
continue to associate our products with longevity and performance. Our
advertising will continue to focus on our message, integrating the new brand
look frequently."
Specially designed for passenger cars, SUVs, mini vans and light pickup
trucks, Havoline products include motor oils, antifreeze/coolants, greases,
transmission fluids and additional products, such as oil and air filters,
brake and power steering fluids and gear oils. Based on 1999 NPD results,
Havoline passenger car motor oil is the fourth largest motor oil brand in
the retail "do-it-yourself" sector. For additional information about
Havoline products, visit the Web site at www.havoline.com.
Havoline is available at major mass mechandiser locations and auto
parts stores across the U.S., as well as Texaco Xpress Lube facilities.
Founded in 1987, Texaco Xpress Lube has more than 750 locations across the
U.S. Featuring Havoline products, Texaco Xpress Lube offers Star
Service(r), a complete service and safety inspection that includes an oil
and filter change; air, filter, fluid, tire, wiper blade and battery checks;
and chassis lubrication, topped off with a window wash and interior vacuum.
For information about additional Texaco Xpress Lube preventive maintenance
services, the Havoline Engine DefenderSM Limited Warranty program and a
Texaco Xpress Lube locator map with driving directions, visit
www.texacoxpresslube.com.
Texaco/Havoline has been a sponsor of Newman/Haas Racing's two car team
since 1989. Texaco/Havoline-sponsored driver Michael Andretti has won more
races, led more laps and won more pole positions than any other active
Championship or Indy car driver. Christian Fittipaldi, driver of the second
Newman/Haas Racing Texaco/Havoline-sponsored entry, scored his first victory
in CART last season at the Texaco/Havoline 200 at Road America and first
pole position in his homeland of Brazil at the Rio 300. The CART FedEx
Championship Series holds 20 races five different countries.