Total set to establish 70 new stations

ISTANBUL - Hürriyet Daily News

Total plans to raise the number of its stations to 500, renewing the existing ones. Company photo

Total, the French oil firm, has launched a new campaign for the Middle East and African regions starting with Turkey, where it sees large potential. As a part of the roadmap, the company will increase the number of its stations from 430 to 500, owning some 15 percent of the facilities directly.

This will not negatively affect their ties with local dealers, according to Momar Nguer, the Africa and Middle East director at Total Supply & Marketing.

“The dealers will remain as our essential partners,” Nguer said during a press meeting in Istanbul yesterday, adding that owning stations would show the company’s commitment to the country. It will show that we are here to stay.”

Sales targets

Total’s newly appointed General Manager in Turkey Antoine Tournand said at the meeting the company planned to increase sales in Turkey 50 percent as of 2018. Total is ranked the sixth largest oil retailer in the country, according to officials.

Commenting on the high fuel prices in Turkey, Nguer said gas in the country was cheaper than in a number of European countries, including France and Italy, if taxes are excluded. Global oil prices will keep increasing, he said, addressing the growing demand particularly from emerging markets. Total, an active player in the Libyan market, has already returned to the pre-war business volume there, Nguer said, although he did not mention any figures for the sales volume.