Valvoline NextGen™ engine oil pushes the limits at the 2012 Dakar Rally

Valvoline™, a brand of Ashland Inc. (NYSE: ASH), announced that its recently introduced Valvoline All-Fleet Extra NextGen SAE 15W-40, ACEA E7-08 engine oil was selected as the engine oil of choice by the Van den Brink Rallysport & Mammoet Rallysport team at the recent 2012 Dakar Rally in South America.  The Dutch team, driving in an X 22 GINAF, finished in 13th position in the truck category at this year’s event, which covered a 9.000 km route from the Atlantic Ocean through the mountains and desert dunes of Argentina, Chile and Peru to the Pacific coast of the continent.


“The performance of NextGen during the race was superb,” said driver Martin van den Brink. “This race was one of the toughest and most extreme Dakar rallies I ever participated in. It really put the drivers and the material to the test. NextGen passed the test flawlessly.”


The NextGen engine oil formula is made from 50 percent recycled oil and delivers 100 percent Valvoline engine protection, making it great for engines and better for the environment. It exceeds industry specifications with reduced environmental impact because recycling takes fewer resources than refining crude oil.


NextGen engine oil is the culmination of years of continued research, technology and innovation from Valvoline scientists coupled with advancement in the oil re-refining process. Used oil is refined with the same processes as crude oil. Because used oil actually contains fewer contaminants and more usable molecules than crude oil, the result is new, high-quality base oil. The highest quality recycled oil is used and then improved with Valvoline's award-winning additives to make NextGen exceed industry specifications and match the high quality of other Valvoline engine oils.


“NextGen engine oil is a truly exciting product for our customers in EMEA,” said Frank Rouwens, director of business development and marketing, Valvoline EMEA. “Its successful use at the Dakar proves once more its superb performance even in the toughest circumstances. Its contribution to reduce the impact on our environment makes it even more appealing to our customers, and brings a new, compelling and differentiated proposition to the transportation markets.”


Over the years, the Dakar Rally has visited the most beautiful open spaces and natural sites such as the African and South American deserts and forests. The organizers of the Dakar are constantly probing possibilities to reduce the Rally’s environmental impact of this rally, encouraging the competitors to take part with vehicles that use renewable energy. Valvoline and team Van den Brink Rallysport & Mammoet Rallysport are fully dedicated to this cause, which is underlined by the decision to drive the 2012 Dakar with the new environmentally responsible NextGen engine oil.


“Valvoline and my team are a perfect match,” said Martin van der Brink. “I will definitely continue racing with NextGen and am looking forward to future cooperation with Valvoline.”


Valvoline, a brand of Ashland Inc. (NYSE: ASH), serves heavy-duty industrial and on-highway markets with Premium Blue™ engine oils, All-Fleet™ engine oils, NextGenengine oils created with 50 percent recycled oil and Valvoline Car Care products. Additional details about Valvoline’s heavy-duty products can be found at www.valvolineeurope.com.


In more than 100 countries, the people of Ashland Inc. (NYSE: ASH) provide the specialty chemicals, technologies and insights to help customers create new and improved products for today and sustainable solutions for tomorrow. Our chemistry is at work every day in a wide variety of markets and applications, including architectural coatings, automotive, construction, energy, food and beverage, personal care, pharmaceutical, tissue and towel, and water treatment. Visit www.ashland.com to see the innovations we offer through our four commercial units – Ashland Specialty Ingredients, Ashland Water Technologies, Ashland Performance Materials and Ashland Consumer Markets.
 

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Jennifer Knoblach