Pennzoil Ultra "no intention of discontinuing"

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Originally Posted By: Art_Vandelay
This way there's no conflict with Pennzoil Platinum. The average customer(who is all that really matters) couldn't distinguish between these two synthetics. Now Ultra is a consequence of that reality.
They probably should have discontinued Platinum and kept Ultra.
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Originally Posted By: Art_Vandelay
Not to mention Shell Helix Ultra sounds like a high end product.

While we on here are a little easier to excite when it comes to oil product roll outs or changes, the actual Shell oil line in North America has been quiet and stagnant for a significant period of time. Maybe they should make some noise, and this might be the way.
 
Originally Posted By: 2010_FX4
Originally Posted By: Art_Vandelay
This way there's no conflict with Pennzoil Platinum. The average customer(who is all that really matters) couldn't distinguish between these two synthetics. Now Ultra is a consequence of that reality.
They probably should have discontinued Platinum and kept Ultra.
banana2.gif


But they sell a lot of Platinum, don't they?

Just put Ultra in Platinum's packaging. Everyone's happy then.
 
Originally Posted By: BobThe
Originally Posted By: 2010_FX4
Originally Posted By: Art_Vandelay
This way there's no conflict with Pennzoil Platinum. The average customer(who is all that really matters) couldn't distinguish between these two synthetics. Now Ultra is a consequence of that reality.
They probably should have discontinued Platinum and kept Ultra.
banana2.gif


But they sell a lot of Platinum, don't they?

Just put Ultra in Platinum's packaging. Everyone's happy then.

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Originally Posted By: Art_Vandelay
It's getting harder to believe that there is, "no intention of discontinuing," a product that is clearanced out of Walmart(virtually nationwide).


On the other hand I can't believe they're discontinuing it while still running full page ads for it in all the car magazines. You know the one, with Ultra on the top piston (winner's stand), Platinum on the runner's up piston, and the comptetition further down?

Maybe they're about to release a new formulation of it and trying to clear the shelves of the current forumlation?
 
Originally Posted By: kam327
Originally Posted By: Art_Vandelay
It's getting harder to believe that there is, "no intention of discontinuing," a product that is clearanced out of Walmart(virtually nationwide).


On the other hand I can't believe they're discontinuing it while still running full page ads for it in all the car magazines. You know the one, with Ultra on the top piston (winner's stand), Platinum on the runner's up piston, and the comptetition further down?

Maybe they're about to release a new formulation of it and trying to clear the shelves of the current forumlation?


That is probably the most likely scenario. Maybe with a slight name change like Ultra Premium to distance themselves from Platinum which is their price leader competing against Mobil 1.
 
Update.

Called 800 number and reached a representative in Houston. Stated that Pennzoil is "repositioning" the Ultra and it should be on shelves within the next couple weeks.

Also, stated that all Walmarts are suppose to carry it, per their agreement. Dodge is another supplier recommended.

Apparently Pennzoil is getting alot of calls requesting Ultra at their local Walmart. Keep calling.:)
 
Originally Posted By: Garak
Has anyone tried a SOPUS distributor yet, on either side of the border?

My local SOPUS distributor still carries Ultra, as usual.
 
Originally Posted By: rg200amp

Pennzoil.com will only let me buy euro 0w40 or 5w40 grades!!!!

Just a clarification: PU 0w-40 is not a Euro grade. It only carries a Chrysler SRT spec, but not European mfg specs.
 
Originally Posted By: Garak
Originally Posted By: Art_Vandelay
Not to mention Shell Helix Ultra sounds like a high end product.

While we on here are a little easier to excite when it comes to oil product roll outs or changes, the actual Shell oil line in North America has been quiet and stagnant for a significant period of time. Maybe they should make some noise, and this might be the way.


Their gasoline commands a premium price. People pay it too. Shell is a high end brand in the public's mind.
How can you not take advantage of that?

- Every gas station is a free Billboard.

- Advertise the Gas To Liquid base stock. We have it. They don't. That's why Ferrari uses nothing else.

I want the product in the marketplace. And I want it to do well. Let self-competing synthetics serve as a reminder of what not to do and move on. Leave Platinum alone and put Ultra where it belongs. In a Shell Helix bottle.
 
Originally Posted By: Art_Vandelay

Their gasoline commands a premium price. People pay it too.

Where I live, I don't see any price difference between Shell, BP, or Mobil gasoline prices.

Quote:

and put Ultra where it belongs. In a Shell Helix bottle.

This I agree with. M1 is the gold standard for widely accessible, high quality synthetic oil. There is no way SOPUS can be successful selling PU for $26/jug when there are M1 jugs sitting right next to it for $22.50. People just don't associate the Pennzoil brand with high end synthetics that are above M1, at least as far as US market goes. That's why distancing itself from the Pennzoil brand by putting it in Shell Helix bottles might be a great idea.
 
Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Originally Posted By: Art_Vandelay

- Amazon - 5W-20 5W-30 and 5W-40 All Unavailable.


They're all showing back in stock right now.



Pete, they were out of stock 12 hours ago. I swear. Those Amazonians I'll tell ya...
 
Originally Posted By: Art_Vandelay
Pete, they were out of stock 12 hours ago. I swear. Those Amazonians I'll tell ya...

Art, I know. I checked yesterday too, so I know you were telling the truth.
smile.gif


Not sure about other grades, but the PU 5w-40 specifically appears/disappears on Amazon very frequently. And right now they're showing it available in single quarts, but not in 6-pack cases.
 
Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Originally Posted By: Art_Vandelay
Pete, they were out of stock 12 hours ago. I swear. Those Amazonians I'll tell ya...

Art, I know. I checked yesterday too, so I know you were telling the truth.
smile.gif


Not sure about other grades, but the PU 5w-40 specifically appears/disappears on Amazon very frequently. And right now they're showing it available in single quarts, but not in 6-pack cases.


I just looked myself and they're asking $13.58 a quart for it. Wow!
That's the other thing. The entire line should be available wherever it's sold. Not just 5W-20, 5W-30 and 10W-30. Get the 5W-40 and 0W-40 out there in the common market.

Under the Shell Helix brand I say!
 
Originally Posted By: Art_Vandelay
That's the other thing. The entire line should be available wherever it's sold. Not just 5W-20, 5W-30 and 10W-30. Get the 5W-40 and 0W-40 out there in the common market.

Under the Shell Helix brand I say!

That's another issue we've discussed before. Shelf space at most retailers such as Walmart is limited. SOPUS would have to reduce shelf space of PYB in order to make room for stuff like PU 5w-40 (or Helix). Yet, the 5w-40 is not a big seller. PYB is their big seller. Walmart also refuses to stock shelves with a SKU that doesn't move well. Ferrari owners rarely shop for oil at Walmart.
smile.gif
 
Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
My local SOPUS distributor still carries Ultra, as usual.

Nice. What are his prices like?

Originally Posted By: Art_Vandelay
Their gasoline commands a premium price. People pay it too. Shell is a high end brand in the public's mind.

Exactly. Formula Shell is a top quality oil, yet it's treated as a sleeper, and a third class citizen behind Pennzoil and Quaker State offerings. Shell is a premium brand. They sponsor F1. Pennzoil and Quaker State sponsor NASCAR. That tells you all you need to know.
wink.gif


Up here, Shell gas tends to be the same price as everywhere else, but they do have good visibility and clean, modern, well lit gas stations, obviously. Premium price or not, they certainly are proud of their gasoline product, and justifiably so.
 
Originally Posted By: Garak
Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
My local SOPUS distributor still carries Ultra, as usual.

Nice. What are his prices like?

I only inquired about the 5w-40. They sell it for around $50 a case, so about the same as Amazon.
 
Well, that's still cheaper than what I conjecture it could be found for up here, if it were sold anywhere at retail in quarts.
wink.gif


I need to phone or visit the SOPUS distributor up here, but I should avoid the temptation. I have way too much oil in stock and "owed to me" through Petro-Points. Maybe I need to start running some taxis again.
 
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