Why is Valvoline oil not commonly used in China?
3 Answers
Valvoline oil enjoys high popularity in the United States, ranking 8th in global rankings. In China, it's not that Valvoline oil isn't used, but rather that the brand entered the Chinese market relatively late with limited development time. After entering China, Valvoline oil faced widespread counterfeiting by many merchants, which created a negative impression among consumers. As long as car owners purchase from authorized stores, the quality is guaranteed. More information about Valvoline oil is as follows: 1. Introduction: Valvoline offers multiple series for car owners to choose from, such as the automotive oil series including Star Supreme, Star Royal, Star Shield, Star Crown, Star Dust, Star Speed, and Star Sprint, each designed for specific vehicle models. Car owners can check the official website for details about each oil product. 2. Features: Valvoline oil is cost-effective, affordable, durable, and provides smooth performance with noise reduction; it also has strong cleaning capabilities and helps reduce fuel consumption. The Star Royal series focuses on balancing quietness and power with long-lasting performance, though its low-temperature fluidity is slightly weaker.
As a regular driver, I rarely come across Valvoline motor oil during maintenance in China, mainly because it has low visibility. International brands like Shell and Mobil have long been established in China, with daily advertisements, frequent recommendations from repair shops, and relatively reasonable prices. Domestic brands such as Great Wall and Kunlun motor oils are more in line with people's habits, offering high cost-performance ratios and easy availability at local shops. Although Valvoline has good quality, it entered the market late, has a poor distribution network, limited stock, and maintenance technicians are reluctant to stock it. Additionally, many people, like me, are unfamiliar with the brand, and there’s little discussion about it online, so naturally, it’s not commonly used. In fact, when it comes to changing motor oil, safety and convenience come first—everyone prefers hassle-free options, which is why mainstream brands are more popular.
I've been in auto repair for twenty years, and when customers ask about engine oil, hardly anyone specifies Valvoline. It's mostly the established brands that dominate. First, distribution channels are a major hurdle. Imported oils require building a supply chain, and Valvoline has a weak presence in China with unstable inventory, making it risky for repair shops to stock. In contrast, Shell and Mobil have extensive partnership networks, deep ties with 4S shops, and minimal price fluctuations. Customer habits are hard to change—they often ask right away, 'Do you have KunLun?' Valvoline feels unfamiliar, with little promotion and low ad spend, so even I can't be bothered to recommend it. Add in cost factors—import taxes drive up retail prices—and convenience plus affordability reign supreme.
