Petronas starts marketing 95 RON gasoline

Petronas Dagangan Bhd’s Petronas Primax 95, a brand of 95 octane gasoline, has gone on sale at service stations in two Malaysian precincts. The sale, Petronas’ marketer said, is in preparation for Malaysia’s upcoming fuel specification upgrade to Euro 2 standards by September 1, 2009. Primax 95 is Euro 2 compliant and contains a new fuel additive package called SINAR G-07, which Petronas touts as superior to the additive package used in its other fuel, Primax RON97. Malaysia’s Ministry of Domestic Trade and Industry opened the doors to sales of 95 RON gasoline across the country when it allowed sales to start on May 12. The country will phase out 92 RON gasoline, which currently accounts for only about 5% of gasoline sold. After 95 RON’s introduction across the country, market watchers expect it to claim a 70 to 75% market share, with 97 RON taking a 30% chunk. (May 24, 2009)