I've been doing some thinking about the future of oil technologies and their respective companies, and I'd like to throw out a few thoughts to kick around...
I've used Amsoil for some time. Amsoil is clearly a high-end boutique synthetic that is of high quality. But I look around at all the synthetic oils offered at the local Walmart these days, and there are some high-quality, high-end synthetics sitting on the shelf that work out to be less expensive overall to buy (shipping being the deal breaker if simple price is not), and less forethought needed to buy them- just grab off the shelf when needed.
One example: Pennzoil Platinum and Ultra Platinum, both synthetics that are made from natural gas for purity (Gas-To-Liquid technology). And across from the GTL oils are synthetic filters, like the Fram Ultra for about $9, which is arguably the best filter on the market for the money.
So that leads to the main question... as much as I like Amsoil products, is there still a place for their products in the modern marketplace? Wouldn't readily available products like the Pennzoil/Fram combo I just mentioned be the logical purchase over anything Amsoil, Royal Purple, etc, currently markets? Will there continue to be a place for Amsoil and company going forward, or are there just too many innovative competitors out there now? Or am I totally missing something here?
Amsoil, boutique oils vs GTL/modern oil technology
- Thread starter SwedishRider
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Given that any smaller oil company like Royal Purple and Warren Products (although they ARE in walmart....) can simply go to Lubrizol etc. and purchase an oil package to pass any targeted spec, the small oil companies have a chance to compete, maybe with a smaller profit per quart sold.
Marketing can convince consumers their oil is better. For example, look at http://www.pistonking.com/ . They may not have the army of scientists that SOPUS, XOM, Chevron, & BP have for proprietary stuff, yet they can outsource all that.
Originally Posted By: boundarylayer
Marketing can convince consumers their oil is better. For example, look at http://www.pistonking.com/ . They may not have the army of scientists that SOPUS, XOM, Chevron, & BP have for proprietary stuff, yet they can outsource all that.
The only real benefit I can see to a boutique player like Amsoil is the variety of products they sell. Amsoil has oils engineered for small engines and motorcycles, as well as high-quality transmission fluids and gear oils.
But look at Amsoil's discontinuance of their EaO air filters. They openly said they can't compete with less-expensive alternatives and are having a hard time finding technologies that are better than competitors' products in that space. That got me to thinking about their other offerings.... how long before they can't justify fluid sales over competitors like GTL oils and other high-end synthetics? And then where does that leave end-users like me? With no shelf presence in most department and automotive stores and a growing number of technically equal or superior products on shelves at equal or lower prices, how can they maintain a competitive advantage?
Again, don't get me wrong, I like and use their products. But looking down the road... one has to wonder..
Originally Posted By: SwedishRider
But I look around at all the synthetic oils offered at the local Walmart these days, and there are some high-quality, high-end synthetics sitting on the shelf that work out to be less expensive overall to buy (shipping being the deal breaker if simple price is not), and less forethought needed to buy them- just grab off the shelf when needed.
Amsoil will probably have a few tough business decisions to make over the next few years. They may have difficulty supporting their current line of products. Line extensions into new products/markets can be the quickest way available to sink the ship. The same is true for supporting lines that don't pay their way. It's going to be interesting watching what Amsoil does in the market place in the next 5 years. I don't think Amsoil is a big enough operation to survive a mistake but with their current place in the market and their name recognition they are certainly setup to survive and prosper as long as they continue to define their core market and stick with it. If WD-40 can do in a crowded marketplace, so can Amsoil.
I agree about the engine oils. But the selection of ATF and gear oils on Walmart shelves is very limited. That tells me almost no shadetree mechanics are changing their own ATF or diff fluid.
I order Amsoil ATF and SVG gear oil.
I agree that there are people who won't shop at Walmart (or many other stores) due to whatever issues they may have with the store.
But that doesn't make the case that Amsoil can provide equal to or better value in its products and pricing. True I can buy Amsoil from my easy-chair... but I can also shop at Walmart.com (or Amazon, which I tend not to shop at).
I'm still wondering if the case for Amsoil/Boutique players can be made over a Walmart/Pennzoil Ultra/Fram Ultra combo. I'm starting to wonder if the writing may be on the wall.. 
Originally Posted By: Donald
I agree about the engine oils. But the selection of ATF and gear oils on Walmart shelves is very limited. That tells me almost no shadetree mechanics are changing their own ATF or diff fluid.
I order Amsoil ATF and SVG gear oil.
Originally Posted By: Donald
I agree about the engine oils. But the selection of ATF and gear oils on Walmart shelves is very limited. That tells me almost no shadetree mechanics are changing their own ATF or diff fluid.
I order Amsoil ATF and SVG gear oil.
Originally Posted By: OneEyeJack
Amsoil will probably have a few tough business decisions to make over the next few years. They may have difficulty supporting their current line of products. Line extensions into new products/markets can be the quickest way available to sink the ship. The same is true for supporting lines that don't pay their way. It's going to be interesting watching what Amsoil does in the market place in the next 5 years. I don't think Amsoil is a big enough operation to survive a mistake but with their current place in the market and their name recognition they are certainly setup to survive and prosper as long as they continue to define their core market and stick with it. If WD-40 can do in a crowded marketplace, so can Amsoil.
Originally Posted By: Kuato
Originally Posted By: OneEyeJack
Amsoil will probably have a few tough business decisions to make over the next few years. They may have difficulty supporting their current line of products. Line extensions into new products/markets can be the quickest way available to sink the ship. The same is true for supporting lines that don't pay their way. It's going to be interesting watching what Amsoil does in the market place in the next 5 years. I don't think Amsoil is a big enough operation to survive a mistake but with their current place in the market and their name recognition they are certainly setup to survive and prosper as long as they continue to define their core market and stick with it. If WD-40 can do in a crowded marketplace, so can Amsoil.
Originally Posted By: SwedishRider
But that doesn't make the case that Amsoil can provide equal to or better value in its products and pricing. True I can buy Amsoil from my easy-chair... but I can also shop at Walmart.com (or Amazon, which I tend not to shop at).
I'm still wondering if the case for Amsoil/Boutique players can be made over a Walmart/Pennzoil Ultra/Fram Ultra combo. I'm starting to wonder if the writing may be on the wall..
AMSOIL has a place always.
here is the thing.. nothing compares IMO to Signature Series. OE and XL is what should be compared to Walmart/parts store offerings.. which then its competively priced and very easy to get if you are patient for 3-4 days. shipping sucks I can't lie.. but I'd prefer to pay a Lil extra for an American based company, and a company that gives opportunities to people to be able to run their own business as a distributor. I am one.
but I'm not blind to the offerings I give alternatives. to AMSOIL all the time for potential customers that decide to not use AMSOIL. cause I try to be customer service first.
that's something you'll never get from Walmart.
Originally Posted By: Flareside302
AMSOIL has a place always.
here is the thing.. nothing compares IMO to Signature Series. OE and XL is what should be compared to Walmart/parts store offerings.. which then its competively priced and very easy to get if you are patient for 3-4 days. shipping sucks I can't lie.. but I'd prefer to pay a Lil extra for an American based company, and a company that gives opportunities to people to be able to run their own business as a distributor. I am one.
but I'm not blind to the offerings I give alternatives. to AMSOIL all the time for potential customers that decide to not use AMSOIL. cause I try to be customer service first.
that's something you'll never get from Walmart.
Originally Posted By: dave123
Name me one motor oil Amsoil offers with oem approvals I can not get at Walmart cheaper I only want one not a list just one.
Originally Posted By: dave123
Originally Posted By: Flareside302
AMSOIL has a place always.
here is the thing.. nothing compares IMO to Signature Series. OE and XL is what should be compared to Walmart/parts store offerings.. which then its competively priced and very easy to get if you are patient for 3-4 days. shipping sucks I can't lie.. but I'd prefer to pay a Lil extra for an American based company, and a company that gives opportunities to people to be able to run their own business as a distributor. I am one.
but I'm not blind to the offerings I give alternatives. to AMSOIL all the time for potential customers that decide to not use AMSOIL. cause I try to be customer service first.
that's something you'll never get from Walmart.
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Originally Posted By: Flareside302
European formula is just one of em...
www.amsoil.com/shop/by-product/motor-oil...-oil/?zo=515729
Manufacturer Approvals:
BMW Longlife-04
MB-Approval 229.51
Porsche A40
There are always advance in oil techno .small place are often the early bird to implement these .since shell .bp(aka castrol)or mobil have board of director to answer to .small place like valvoline often adopt new techno some for good call some changed back because it isnt as great as expected .the big guns arent gona be the first to create a graphene base stock or whatever way oil industry will implement it.the small top guns like motul .red line and or amzoil are probably the one initially mass marketting it
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