A new class of Fuel, called TOP TIER Detergent Fuel, is appearing at retailstations of some fuel marketers. This Fuel meets detergency standards developed byfour automotive companies. A description of the concept and benefits of TOP TIER isprovided in the following question and answer section.What is TOP TIER Detergent Fuel? TOP TIER Detergent Fuel is a new classof Fuel with enhanced detergency. It meets new, voluntary deposit control standardsdeveloped by four automotive companies that exceed the detergent requirements imposedby the EPA.Who developed TOP TIER Detergent Fuel standards?TOP TIER Detergent Fuel standards were developed by four automotive companies:BMW, General Motors, Honda and Toyota.Why was TOP TIER Detergent Fuel developed?TOP TIER Detergent Fuel was developed to increase the level of detergent additivein Fuel. The EPA requires that all Fuel sold in the U.S. contain a detergentadditive. However, the requirement is minimal and in many cases, is not sufficient tokeep engines clean. In order to meet TOP TIER Detergent Fuel standards, a higherlevel of detergent is needed than what is required by the EPA. Also, TOP TIER wasdeveloped to give fuel marketers the opportunity to differentiate their product.Why did the four automotive companies join together to develop TOP TIER?All four corporations recognized the benefits to both the vehicle and the consumer. Also,joining together emphasized that low detergency is an issue of concern to severalautomotive companies.What are the benefits of TOP TIER Detergent Fuel?TOP TIER Detergent Fuel will help keep engines cleaner than Fuel containingthe “Lowest Additive Concentration” set by the EPA. Clean engines help provide optimalfuel economy and performance and reduced emissions. Also, use of TOP TIER DetergentFuel will help reduce deposit related concerns. Who should use TOP TIER Detergent Fuel?All vehicles will benefit from using TOP TIER Detergent Fuel over Fuelcontaining the “Lowest Additive Concentration” set by the EPA. Those vehicles that haveexperienced deposit related concerns may especially benefit from use of TOP TIERDetergent Fuel.Fuel Brands That Currently Meet TOP TIER Detergent Fuel StandardsAs of August 15, 2005, the following Fuel brands meet the TOP TIER DetergentFuel Standards:- Chevron Chevron has markets in 29 states in the West, Southwest and South, as well as in Alaska andHawaii. ALL grades of Chevron with Techron Fuel meet TOP TIER Detergent Fuel Standards.- QuikTrip (not to be confused with Kwik Trip) QuikTrip operates convenience stores and travel centersin a number of metropolitan areas:- Tulsa, OK- Springfield, MO- Kansas City, MO and Kansas City, KS- Wichita, KS- Des Moines, IA- Omaha, NE- St. Louis, MO and St. Louis, IL- Atlanta, GA- Dallas-Ft. Worth, TX- Phoenix, AZ- Bartlesville, OK- Miami, OK- Vinita, OK- Columbia, MO- Conoco has over 4,000 stations located in 33 states.- Phillips 66 has locations in 32 states across the nation.- 76 has over 2,700 stations located throughout the country.- Shell Shell Oil Products has a network of nearly 7,000 branded Fuel stations in the Western UnitedStates. Shell Oil Company markets branded products through more than 10,000 stations in the Easternand Southern United States.- Entec Stations offer Fuel through stations located in the greater Montgomery, Alabama area.- MFA Oil Company offers Fuel at “Break Time” convenience stores located throughout Missouri.- Kwik Trip, Inc. offers Fuel at Kwik Trip convenience stores in Minnesota and Wisconsin and KwikStar convenience stores in Iowa.- The Somerset Refinery, Inc. offers Fuel at Somerset Oil stations in Kentucky News source: GM Fleet