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| Formerly | Westdeutsche Benzol-Verkaufsvereinigung |
|---|---|
| Company type | Aktiengesellschaft |
| Industry | Petroleum |
| Founded | 1898; 127 years ago (1898) |
| Headquarters | Bochum, Germany |
Area served | Germany,Luxembourg |
Key people | Patrick Wendeler, CEO |
| Products | Gasoline |
| Services | Gas stations Convenience stores |
| Parent | BP |
| Website | aral.de |
Aral AG (previouslyVeba Öl AG) is a Germanoil company established in 1898 asWestdeutsche Benzol-Verkaufs-Vereinigung GmbH (West German Benzene Marketing Corporation). The company is currently owned by British conglomerateBP[1] after it was purchased in 2002.[2]
TheAralbrand ofpetrol stations has presence in Germany andLuxembourg, but formerly used to be in most countries ofWestern andCentral Europe.
TheAral brand was introduced in 1924 and is aportmanteau of the German words "Aromaten" and "Aliphaten", alluding to thearomatic andaliphatic components found ingasoline, respectively. With around 2,400 petrol stations operating, Aral is the market leader in Germany.[2]
On 15 July 2001 Deutsche BP AG agreed to acquire 51% ofVeba Öl AG. The acquisition was completed on 1 February 2002. TheAral brand name was retained, and 650 BP stations in Germany were rebranded "Aral".[3] Six BP branded filling stations remained in operation in Germany to protect the company's rights to the name. Elsewhere, in Poland and Austria, Aral stations became BP ones. Aral changes in other countries were sold. Aral's slogan is "Alles super".
BP bought the chain in 2002 as part of a larger deal with German energy group E.ON EONGn.DE.[2]
Aral has about 2,400 stations in Germany.[4]
Aral sells various petroleum products: Besides classical gasoline,diesel fuel andlubricants, it also sellsnatural gas,liquefied petroleum gas, such aspropane orbutane, liquid and gaseoushydrogen andheating oil.
Many Aral gas stations also sell other items under the convenience store name "Aral Store". During the 70's and 80's the brand name used was often "Aral Boutique". Many shops currently have aPetitBistro. Some stations also providecar washes under the nameUltimate SuperWash.
For businesses, Aral offers different types offuel cards: Aral CardKomfort for small businesses, Aral CardPlus for larger companies and Aral CardTruck with additionaltruck-related services.[5]
In a customer study on the quality of offers and service in gas stations by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Verbraucherstudien (DtGV, German Association for CStudies) in cooperation withN24, Aral finished third, behindQ1 andOIL!.
Aral AG is an official long-term recommended fuel of variousVolkswagen Group marques (includingVolkswagen,Audi,Lamborghini,SEAT andŠkoda),Ford,JaguarLand Rover,Mazda,Renault (includingAlpine andDacia) andVolvo for automobiles as well asMAN for trucks and buses in Germany. Aral AG is also an official long-term recommended fuel ofTriumph for motorcycles in Germany.
Aral AG was an official long-term fuel retailer and convenience store for the touring car racing seriesDeutsche Tourenwagen Masters from 2005 until 2020[6]
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