ID :
25849
Tue, 10/21/2008 - 19:19
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/25849
The shortlink copeid
Sydney petrol stations slash prices
(AAP) Two independent petrol stations caused traffic havoc in Sydney's west on Tuesday when they slashed about 40 cents off the price of petrol in protest against the influence of big oil companies.
For the first time in at least three years, the BP on Sunnyholt Road at Blacktown
was selling unleaded petrol for below $1 a litre, following the lead of its
competitor United.
United started the discounting which BP then matched by dropping its price to 97.9
cents a litre.
Both operators lowered prices again, to 94.9 cents a litre at about midday (AEDT).
The discounted fuel represented a significant loss for the businesses, with a BP
employee putting the wholesale price of unleaded at $1.35 a litre.
The BP outlet normally sells unleaded for around $1.40 a litre.
BP manager Marie El Khoury said the move was a protest against big oil companies
trying to kill off the independents.
"They are trying to put people out of the market," she told Macquarie Radio.
"We're going to voice up and we're going to let everyone hear it."
News of the cheap petrol spread quickly.
"They came straight away," a BP employee said of the cars that queued for kilometres
for the bargain fuel.
Some people waited for up to an hour, while others brought along jerry cans, as
highway patrol police attempted to keep the traffic flowing.
When asked by Network 10 if it was worth the wait, one female motorist said: "Yep,
definitely", while another woman said: "Isn't it great? About time", as she filled
her car.
BP staff said they received compliments and even kisses from "very happy" customers.
United had reportedly run out of fuel by 2.30pm, and within minutes of its
competitor turning off the bowsers, BP raised its price to $1.39.9.
However, drivers were still lining up for the petrol at 5pm (AEST).
Peter Khoury, spokesperson at the NRMA, applauded the BP and United petrol stations
for their strong message.
"From a motorist's perspective this is fantastic news," he said.
"There is too much power among large oil companies. It's squeezing out the
independents," he added.
In current conditions, Mr Khoury said he believed independent petrol stations made
an average profit of two or three cents a litre on petrol.
When asked if other service stations should follow their lead, despite the financial
losses, Mr Khoury replied: "With the current pricing structure, they are going to go
down anyway."
United told Network Ten it would put a voucher in Wednesday's local newspaper
offering customers a 10 cent discount off the price of a litre of fuel if they
purchase something from the store.
For the first time in at least three years, the BP on Sunnyholt Road at Blacktown
was selling unleaded petrol for below $1 a litre, following the lead of its
competitor United.
United started the discounting which BP then matched by dropping its price to 97.9
cents a litre.
Both operators lowered prices again, to 94.9 cents a litre at about midday (AEDT).
The discounted fuel represented a significant loss for the businesses, with a BP
employee putting the wholesale price of unleaded at $1.35 a litre.
The BP outlet normally sells unleaded for around $1.40 a litre.
BP manager Marie El Khoury said the move was a protest against big oil companies
trying to kill off the independents.
"They are trying to put people out of the market," she told Macquarie Radio.
"We're going to voice up and we're going to let everyone hear it."
News of the cheap petrol spread quickly.
"They came straight away," a BP employee said of the cars that queued for kilometres
for the bargain fuel.
Some people waited for up to an hour, while others brought along jerry cans, as
highway patrol police attempted to keep the traffic flowing.
When asked by Network 10 if it was worth the wait, one female motorist said: "Yep,
definitely", while another woman said: "Isn't it great? About time", as she filled
her car.
BP staff said they received compliments and even kisses from "very happy" customers.
United had reportedly run out of fuel by 2.30pm, and within minutes of its
competitor turning off the bowsers, BP raised its price to $1.39.9.
However, drivers were still lining up for the petrol at 5pm (AEST).
Peter Khoury, spokesperson at the NRMA, applauded the BP and United petrol stations
for their strong message.
"From a motorist's perspective this is fantastic news," he said.
"There is too much power among large oil companies. It's squeezing out the
independents," he added.
In current conditions, Mr Khoury said he believed independent petrol stations made
an average profit of two or three cents a litre on petrol.
When asked if other service stations should follow their lead, despite the financial
losses, Mr Khoury replied: "With the current pricing structure, they are going to go
down anyway."
United told Network Ten it would put a voucher in Wednesday's local newspaper
offering customers a 10 cent discount off the price of a litre of fuel if they
purchase something from the store.
