Total said it plans to expand retail outlets in Indonesia

Total Oil Indonesia, a subsidiary of France’s Total SA, has earmarked up to US$40 million to more than double its fuel retail outlets, in anticipation of Indonesia’s move to restrict the use of subsidized fuel by private vehicles. According to Asif Iqbal, vice president of retail and sales, Total plans to build 15 to 20 more stations this year. Currently, Total has 13 retail outlets. The government has said it plans to implement a plan that will prohibit private vehicles from using subsidized fuel, which is half the cost of premium gasoline. Total sells high-octane gasoline under the brand names Performance 92 (RON 92) and Performance 95 (RON 95). It also sells non-subsidized diesel fuel called Performance Diesel. “We have been preparing for this [Premium restriction]. We really welcome it if the government really implements it,” Iqbal said. (January 25, 2012)