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Mr Gary Jones (right), Senior Vice-President, Refining & Marketing, Total, with Mr Thierry Gautier, CEO & MD, TotalFinaElf India Ltd, unveiling the new brand logo of `elf' in Mumbai on Thursday. — Paul Noronha

Mumbai , June 16

TOTALFINAELF India Ltd, a wholly owned unit of France's Total S.A., said it plans to double its market share in the domestic lubricants market by 2010.

The company has announced a business strategy for India which entails strengthening of distributor network, increasing investment in brand image, expanding relationship with fuel and gas stations and growing exports of selective products to Asian countries.

The company currently has a 10 per cent share in the lubricants market.

TotalFinaElf India will be expanding its dealer and distributor networks as well as exporting specialised and selective products to growing Asian markets.

To increase volume, the company will also focus on institutional sales, developing OEM relationships and expanding business with fuel and gas stations.

The company also announced its agreement with Reliance to sell its automotive lubricants from Reliance fuel stations across the country. This alliance will further lead to an increase in market penetration for Elf through about 2,000 Reliance outlets by 2006.

In India, Total is participating in the Hazira LNG Terminal and Port.

It is also partnering with HPCL to set up an LPG underground storage facility. This is a 50:50 joint venture and will open in early 2007, Mr Gary Jones, Senior Vice-President - Refining and Marketing, Total, said.

The company unveiled its new identity and logo. The brand was born in 1967 in France, Mr Thiery Gautier, CEO and Managing Director, TotalFinaElf India, said.

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