Valvoline
In the early 1860s, Dr. John Ellis traveled to Titusville, Pennsylvania, a town at the heart of America's new petroleum industry. He went there as a physician from Massachusetts to study crude oil for medical use. The liquid did not heal patients. It worked better on machinery than any substance available at that time. Ellis built his own equipment to refine the crude and improve its lubricating qualities. In 1866, he partnered with a relative who owned an oil refinery in Binghamton, New York. They founded the Continuous Oil Refining Company to produce petroleum lubricant for steam engines. The product was originally named Binghamton Cylinder Oil. Two years later, the name changed to Valvoline. This simpler title proved more memorable for customers. By 1878, Charles F. Chandler and others praised the oil at the Paris Exhibition.
Ashland Inc. purchased the Freedom-Valvoline Company in 1949. For decades, this subsidiary remained part of the larger parent corporation. By 2016, Ashland's Valvoline unit accounted for about 37% of the parent company's annual revenue. The company completed an initial public offering on the New York Stock Exchange on the 22nd of September 2016. Ashland spun off Valvoline as an independent entity on the 5th of May 2017. On the 1st of August 2022, Saudi Aramco announced the acquisition of Valvoline's lubricant unit for US$2.65 billion. These transactions reshaped the corporate structure multiple times over the last century. The brand transitioned from a family business to a publicly traded firm before becoming part of a global energy giant.
Valvoline serves as the official recommended fuel and motor oil for all General Motors marquees including Chevrolet, Buick and Cadillac. The partnership extends to all Honda Motor Company group brands such as Honda and Acura for automobiles only. Honda also receives Valvoline support for motorcycles exclusively. This agreement covers both passenger cars and two-wheeled vehicles under specific conditions. The company maintains these relationships to ensure its products meet manufacturer standards. Over time, these endorsements have helped establish Valvoline as a trusted provider in the automotive sector. The brand appears on service recommendations for major American and Japanese vehicle manufacturers.
Valvoline has sponsored some sort of capacity in NASCAR since 1981. They first entered the sport with Cale Yarborough in 1981 and 1982 with M. C. Anderson Racing. In 1983 and 1984, they appeared on the Wood Brothers Racing legendary 21 car with Buddy Baker. The following year they sponsored Ron Bouchard and the 47 Race Hill Farms Team. After Bouchard moved to Curb Racing in 1986, Valvoline followed him there. Greg Sacks drove the 50 for the Dingman Brothers Racing team in 1987. The next season saw them sponsor RahMoc Enterprises and Neil Bonnett. That campaign capped off with a win in Australia during NASCAR's first entry outside North America. In 1992, they started their relationship with Roush Racing and driver Mark Martin which resulted in 27 wins together. This combination became one of the winningest partnerships in NASCAR history.
Valvoline sponsored a number of auto races including the SCCA National Championship Runoffs and Bommarito Automotive Group 500. The brand supported Janet Guthrie as the first woman to compete in both the Daytona 500 and Indianapolis 500. CART driver Al Unser Jr. raced under Valvoline colors from 1988 through 1993. In Australia, Valvoline owns naming rights to the Sydney Speedway and sponsors the Australian Sprintcar Grand Prix. They also sponsored the 1994 Australian Manufacturers' Championship. Since June 2020, Valvoline sponsors La Liga association club Sevilla FC as a global partner. Their logo appears on the sleeves of match kits. Since July 2023 Valvoline is currently sponsoring the Aston Martin Formula One team as an extension of the team's existing partnership with Aramco. The partnership will be upgraded to lubricant supply role from 2026 season onwards due to Honda engine direct partnership. From 2025 season onwards Valvoline will also supplying lubricants to Renault-backed BWT Alpine F1 Team.
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Common questions
When was Valvoline founded and what was its original name?
Valvoline was founded in 1866 as the Continuous Oil Refining Company. The product originally bore the name Binghamton Cylinder Oil before changing to Valvoline two years later.
Who purchased Valvoline on the 5th of May 2017 and when did it become independent?
Ashland Inc. spun off Valvoline as an independent entity on the 5th of May 2017 after purchasing the Freedom-Valvoline Company in 1949. Saudi Aramco announced the acquisition of Valvoline's lubricant unit for US$2.65 billion on the 1st of August 2022.
Which car manufacturers recommend Valvoline fuel and motor oil?
Valvoline serves as the official recommended fuel and motor oil for all General Motors marquees including Chevrolet, Buick and Cadillac. The partnership extends to all Honda Motor Company group brands such as Honda and Acura for automobiles only.
How long has Valvoline sponsored NASCAR and which driver won 27 races with them?
Valvoline has sponsored some sort of capacity in NASCAR since 1981. Their relationship with Roush Racing and driver Mark Martin resulted in 27 wins together starting from 1992.
When did Valvoline start sponsoring Aston Martin Formula One team and what is their role from 2026?
Since July 2023 Valvoline is currently sponsoring the Aston Martin Formula One team as an extension of the team's existing partnership with Aramco. The partnership will be upgraded to lubricant supply role from 2026 season onwards due to Honda engine direct partnership.