Petromin Corporation
Petromin Corporation is a Saudi Arabian lubricants, fuel-retailing and automotive-services group that has expanded into vehicle distribution, fleet solutions, auto parts and electric mobility.
Last updated November 4, 2026
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Overview
Petromin Corporation is a Saudi Arabian industrial and automotive group whose origins lie in the Kingdom’s state-backed effort to build domestic control over petroleum-related activities. Established by royal decree on 24 February 1968 as Petromin Lubricating Oil Company, it began operations as a joint venture between Saudi Aramco and Mobil Investments. The company started production at its first lubricants blending plant in Jeddah in 1970, with Abdulhadi Taher serving as its first director general. Its early mandate was broader than the modern Petromin brand: it was intended to support Saudi Arabia’s development of an indigenous oil industry at a time when Aramco was still wholly American-owned. Petromin was therefore associated with the state’s industrialization and Saudization agenda, and at various points was involved in petroleum exploration, refining, distribution and mineral-resource activities outside the direct scope of the Aramco concession. The original state-industrial model was later narrowed and reorganized. After Saudi Arabia acquired Aramco, many of Petromin’s industrial activities and developments were integrated into Aramco. The remaining company concentrated increasingly on lubricants and related downstream automotive activities. It was renamed Saudi Arabian Lubricating Oil Company in 1997, before entering a major ownership transition in 2007. That year, Dabbagh Group and Gulf Oil Corporation, a subsidiary of the Hinduja Group, acquired the business for a reported transaction value of $200 million. Dabbagh Group held 51 percent and Hinduja 49 percent in the resulting joint venture. The company adopted the Petromin Corporation name in 2008. Hinduja announced plans for an initial public offering in 2010, but the company remained privately controlled. In 2013, Dabbagh Group acquired Hinduja’s stake following a valuation reported to exceed $700 million. Lubricants remain the company’s industrial foundation. Through its Petrolube activities, Petromin manufactures automotive, industrial, marine and specialty lubricants, including gasoline and diesel engine oils, gear and transmission fluids and greases. Its manufacturing footprint includes facilities in Jeddah, Riyadh, Jubail and Dubai. The Jeddah operation is described as one of the largest lubricant and grease manufacturing sites in the Middle East, while the company has positioned itself as Saudi Arabia’s largest lubricant manufacturer. The business makes more than 150 products and exports to more than 35 countries, with particular emphasis on the Gulf, wider Middle East, Africa and Asia. Published descriptions cite annual production capacity in the range of 250,000 to 300,000 metric tons, reflecting differing descriptions of the company’s facilities and total capacity. Petromin began diversifying beyond lubricants in the early 2000s. Gulf Express, launched in 2001 and later renamed Petromin Express, created a nationwide quick-lube and automotive-service network. Petromin Auto Care followed in 2012, offering general electrical, mechanical and maintenance work for multiple vehicle makes. The group also entered fuel retailing, building service stations that can combine fuel, convenience retail, cafés, ATMs, tire services and automotive maintenance. Petromin Express has grown into a large Saudi service-center chain, with published company descriptions stating that it operates more than 700 outlets. Petromin has also been identified as one of only two companies permitted to establish fuel stations along Saudi highways, and it announced plans in 2017 to develop 240 stations across the Kingdom. The group subsequently expanded into vehicle distribution through National Motor Company. It became Nissan’s authorized distributor in Saudi Arabia in 2016, opening its first showroom in Riyadh on 16 October of that year; the Nissan relationship was extended in 2019. National Motor Company later added eight Stellantis brands and Foton commercial vehicles. Other group activities include National Auto Parts Company, an online multi-brand parts platform launched in 2022; National Transportation Solutions Company, which provides fleet maintenance, fleet management, operational leasing and commercial-vehicle services; and Electromin, an electric-mobility business focused on electric vehicles, charging infrastructure and related maintenance. Petromin has also pursued partnerships in commercial electrification, aftermarket parts, tires, motorsport and regional automotive services. Its agreements and initiatives have involved Hyundai, Nissan, Stellantis, General Motors’ ACDelco business, Pirelli, Quantron, Siemens, PepsiCo, Saudi Motorsport Company and the Nissan Formula E Team. In India, Petromin and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation established Automin Car Services in 2023 to develop HP-Petromin Express vehicle-service centers. The group’s evolution reflects a shift from a state-linked lubricants producer to a diversified automotive platform spanning manufacturing, retail fuel, maintenance, dealerships, fleet services, parts distribution and electric mobility.
History
Petromin Corporation was established by royal decree in Saudi Arabia on 24 February 1968. Its original name was Petromin Lubricating Oil Company, and its creation formed part of the Kingdom’s effort to develop nationally controlled petroleum and mineral industries. At the time, Aramco remained wholly American-owned, so Petromin was conceived as a vehicle for state-led industrial development outside the American concession. The company was initially owned through a joint venture between Saudi Aramco and Mobil Investments, with the reported ownership split being 71 percent for Aramco and 29 percent for Mobil. Abdulhadi H. Taher was its first director general. Petromin began producing lubricants at its Jeddah blending plant in 1970. Under Taher’s leadership, it became a large state industrial organization with a broad remit. The company was intended to provide a Saudi alternative to Aramco as the Kingdom’s principal oil enterprise and was associated with oil exploration, refining, distribution and other petroleum-resource activities not directly covered by Aramco’s concession. The broader model was affected by organizational inefficiencies, internal rivalries and corruption allegations described in historical accounts. Rather than replacing Aramco, Petromin’s industrial role was subsequently reduced after Saudi Arabia acquired Aramco. Many of its industrial developments and activities were absorbed into Aramco, while Petromin increasingly focused on lubricants and downstream automotive businesses. The company was renamed Saudi Arabian Lubricating Oil Company in 1997. During the following decade it began rebuilding its commercial scope around manufacturing, service operations and distribution. Its lubricant operations expanded through plants and facilities in Jeddah, Riyadh, Jubail and Dubai. The Jeddah facility became a major regional blending and grease-manufacturing site, while the Riyadh and Jubail facilities added further blending and grease capacity. The company later described its lubricant business as Saudi Arabia’s largest, with more than 150 automotive, industrial, marine and specialty products and exports to more than 35 countries. Diversification into automotive services began in 2001 with Gulf Express, a quick-lube business later renamed Petromin Express. In 2012, Petromin added Petromin Auto Care for general electrical and mechanical repairs and launched its first Saudi fuel station. The company combined service centers with fuel retail, convenience outlets and related forecourt services. Petromin Express became a large national chain, while the company also pursued highway fuel-station development. Petromin’s operational growth included a notable employment milestone: it was among the first Saudi companies reported to have begun employing women in 2007. Ownership changed materially in 2007, when Dabbagh Group and Gulf Oil Corporation, a subsidiary of the Indian Hinduja Group, acquired the company for a reported $200 million. Dabbagh held 51 percent of the new joint venture and Hinduja held 49 percent. The business returned to the Petromin Corporation name in 2008. Hinduja announced plans for an initial public offering in 2010, although no completed listing is established in the supplied material. In 2013, Dabbagh Group bought Hinduja’s interest following a reported valuation of more than $700 million, bringing Petromin back under Dabbagh control. The company continued to expand through partnerships and new business units. A five-year Hyundai and Al-Majdouie agreement in 2015 made Petromin a lubricant supplier to Hyundai centers and a diesel-oil supplier to Al-Majdouie Logistics. In 2016, Petromin entered vehicle distribution through National Motor Company, becoming Nissan’s authorized Saudi distributor and opening a Riyadh showroom. The Nissan relationship was extended in 2019. National Motor Company later added Stellantis brands and Foton commercial vehicles, broadening Petromin’s position in the Saudi automotive market. Petromin’s later evolution has been toward an integrated mobility platform. National Auto Parts Company was introduced in 2022 to sell multi-brand parts digitally to trade customers. National Transportation Solutions Company developed fleet maintenance, management, leasing and commercial-vehicle services. Electromin was established as the group’s electric-mobility arm, covering electric passenger and commercial vehicles, vehicle maintenance and charging infrastructure. The group also pursued partnerships with Quantron, Siemens, PepsiCo and other businesses in electric commercial transport and charging. In India, Petromin and Hindustan Petroleum launched Automin Car Services in 2023 to develop HP-Petromin Express centers. Other expansion initiatives included ACDelco wholesale distribution, Pirelli tire distribution and the acquisition of the SpareIt automotive technology platform. Petromin has also used motorsport and automotive partnerships to reinforce its consumer and technology profile. It entered a three-year partnership with Saudi Motorsport Company for 2021–2023 and received title-naming rights for the Saudi Supercar Club. The company sponsored the World Touring Car Cup’s Jeddah Corniche Circuit debut in December 2022. In 2023, Petromin Nissan announced a three-year strategic partnership with the Nissan Formula E Team, under which Petromin became the team’s innovation partner for the Diriyah E-Prix. By the latest supplied references, Petromin remains an active Saudi group spanning lubricants, fuel stations, quick-service maintenance, dealerships, fleet operations, parts and electric mobility.
- 2023
HP-Petromin Express joint venture begins in India
[1]Automin Car Services was established with Hindustan Petroleum to develop co-branded automotive-service centers.
- 2022
National Auto Parts Company is introduced
[1]Petromin launched a digital multi-brand parts business for wholesalers and independent garages.
- 2016
National Motor Company enters Nissan distribution
[1]Petromin opened its first Nissan showroom in Riyadh and became Nissan’s authorized distributor in Saudi Arabia.
- 2012
Petromin Auto Care and fuel retail launch
[1]Petromin entered general vehicle repair and opened its first Saudi fuel station.
- 2008
Petromin Corporation name restored
[1]The company adopted the Petromin Corporation name.
- 2007
Private-sector ownership transition
[1]Dabbagh Group and Gulf Oil Corporation acquired Petromin, creating a joint venture with Dabbagh as majority owner.
- 2003
Quality-management certification
[1]Petromin obtained international certification for its quality and integrated management systems.
- 2001
Gulf Express launches
[1]Petromin entered quick automotive servicing through Gulf Express, later renamed Petromin Express.
- 1997
Company renamed Saudi Arabian Lubricating Oil Company
[1]The original Petromin Lubricating Oil Company name was replaced by Saudi Arabian Lubricating Oil Company.
- 1970
First Jeddah blending plant begins production
[1]Petromin began manufacturing lubricants at its first blending facility in Jeddah.
Products and positioning
A Saudi-origin downstream energy and automotive-services group combining lubricant manufacturing with fuel retailing, vehicle distribution, maintenance, fleet services, parts and electric mobility.
Lubricants
Petrolube lubricants
Petrolube is Petromin’s core lubricant manufacturing business. It covers gasoline and diesel engine oils, gear and transmission oils, greases, industrial lubricants, marine products and specialty formulations. The business operates blending and grease facilities in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, produces more than 150 products and exports across the Gulf, Middle East, Africa and Asia.
Automotive services · 2001
Petromin Express
Petromin Express is a quick-lube and automotive-service chain that began as Gulf Express in 2001. Its outlets provide routine vehicle services, lubricant changes, parts and related maintenance. The network operates across Saudi Arabia and is often combined with Petromin fuel stations and other forecourt services.
Vehicle repair · 2012
Petromin Auto Care
Petromin Auto Care provides general electrical, mechanical and maintenance services for multiple vehicle makes and models. It expanded Petromin beyond lubricant changes into broader repair and workshop activity.
Fuel retailing · 2012
Petromin fuel stations
Petromin’s fuel-retailing network supplies motorists through Saudi stations that may combine gasoline and diesel sales with convenience stores, cafés, ATMs, tire services and Petromin Express or workshop operations.
Vehicle distribution · 2016
National Motor Company
National Motor Company manages Petromin’s vehicle-distribution activities in Saudi Arabia. Its portfolio includes Nissan, Stellantis brands and Foton commercial vehicles, supported by showroom, service and spare-parts operations.
Electric mobility
Electromin
Electromin is Petromin’s electric-mobility business. It offers electric passenger and commercial vehicles, maintenance services, charging-infrastructure installation and other products and services connected with vehicle electrification.
Automotive aftermarket · 2022
National Auto Parts Company
National Auto Parts Company is a Petromin subsidiary serving wholesalers and independent garages through an online multi-brand parts platform. Its activities have included aftermarket distribution and partnerships involving ACDelco and Pirelli.
Fleet services
National Transportation Solutions Company
National Transportation Solutions Company provides fleet maintenance, fleet management, operational leasing, commercial-vehicle care and diesel-vehicle repair services for customers in Saudi Arabia.
Marketing campaigns
- 2023Nissan Formula E Team innovation partnership
Saudi Arabia · International
Petromin Nissan announced a three-year strategic partnership with the Nissan Formula E Team and became the team’s official innovation partner for the Diriyah E-Prix.
Outcome. The partnership connected Petromin’s automotive and electric-mobility positioning with Formula E technology and events.
- 2022Jeddah Corniche Circuit WTCR sponsorship
Saudi Arabia
Petromin sponsored the World Touring Car Cup’s debut at Jeddah Corniche Circuit in December 2022 as part of its Saudi motorsport partnership.
Outcome. The activity strengthened Petromin’s association with international motorsport hosted in Saudi Arabia.
- 2021Saudi Motorsport Company partnership
Saudi Arabia
Petromin entered a three-year partnership with Saudi Motorsport Company covering 2021 through 2023 and became the title-naming-rights partner of the Saudi Supercar Club.
Outcome. The partnership linked Petromin with Saudi Arabia’s developing motorsport and performance-car scene.
Brand decisions
2022
Launch National Auto Parts CompanyProduct launchBackground
Petromin broadened its aftermarket presence and sought a digital channel for trade customers.
Action taken
The group introduced an online multi-brand auto-parts subsidiary serving wholesalers and independent garages.
Aftermath
The platform supported further aftermarket partnerships, including ACDelco and Pirelli distribution activities.
2022
Expand into electric mobilityStrategyBackground
Petromin developed an electric-mobility offering as vehicle markets and commercial fleets began shifting toward electrification.
Action taken
Electromin pursued electric vehicles, charging infrastructure and maintenance, including a partnership with Quantron and charging-related cooperation with Siemens.
Aftermath
The group added electric commercial-vehicle and charging initiatives to its established lubricants, service and distribution businesses.
2016
Enter Saudi vehicle distribution through NissanStrategyBackground
Petromin’s automotive diversification expanded from maintenance into vehicle sales and dealership operations.
Action taken
National Motor Company became Nissan’s authorized distributor in Saudi Arabia and opened a Riyadh showroom.
Aftermath
The Nissan relationship was extended in 2019, and National Motor Company later added Stellantis and Foton brands.
2012
Diversify into workshops and fuel retailStrategyBackground
Petromin sought to reduce dependence on lubricant manufacturing and build a broader automotive-services platform.
Action taken
The company launched Petromin Auto Care and opened its first Saudi fuel station.
Aftermath
The move created the basis for an integrated network combining fuel retail, quick service, workshops and forecourt services.
2007
Sell Petromin to Dabbagh Group and Gulf Oil CorporationM&ABackground
The historically state-linked lubricants company was transferred to private ownership as part of its post-Aramco transformation.
Action taken
Dabbagh Group acquired a 51 percent interest and Gulf Oil Corporation, a Hinduja Group subsidiary, acquired 49 percent.
Aftermath
The company changed its name to Petromin Corporation in 2008 and later returned to Dabbagh control when Dabbagh acquired Hinduja’s stake in 2013.
Reported acquisition value. $200 million (2007)
Sources1 sources
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