Astron Petrol stations

**FoxtrotGolfXray 5.0** · 03-03-2022, 12:21 PM

We have (had) three United petrol stations in our town. Whilst I was on holidays for a week, two of those were rebranded to Astron.

Not having seen this brand around before, I googled Astron and found that United Petroleum trademarked that name in September 2020.

The United Petroleum website 'About Us' page provides a little bit of background on their beginnings, which started from the Astron brand:

Quote:

Our directors began their journey in the petroleum industry in 1981, operating a group of service stations under the Astron banner.
Astron was closely associated with Esso (an Exxon Company) and by 1990 the company had constructed 23 new sites operating under the Esso brand throughout Victoria.

The giveaway at the Astron sites that they are associated with United was that they advertise that they accept the United Fuel Card.

But, I haven't been able to find anything about this renewed push of the Astron brand.

Anyone have any background they can offer?

Dr Terry · 03-03-2022, 01:42 PM

I seem to remember, way back in the 60s or 70s the name Astron was used by Caltex as their brand of Premium petrol. In similar fashion to Shell V Power.

Dr Terry

**FoxtrotGolfXray 5.0** · 03-03-2022, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr Terry

I seem to remember, way back in the 60s or 70s the name Astron was used by Caltex as their brand of Premium petrol. In similar fashion to Shell V Power.

Dr Terry

Yes, there's a couple of images available where the Caltex Astron fuel is front and centre. Including this one with a Mustang as the centre piece:

https://www.pinterest.com.au/pin/135882113731368518/

hackney · 03-03-2022, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FoxtrotGolfXray 5.0

We have (had) three United petrol stations in our town. Whilst I was on holidays for a week, two of those were rebranded to Astron.

Not having seen this brand around before, I googled Astron and found that United Petroleum trademarked that name in September 2020.

The United Petroleum website 'About Us' page provides a little bit of background on their beginnings, which started from the Astron brand:

The giveaway at the Astron sites that they are associated with United was that they advertise that they accept the United Fuel Card.

But, I haven't been able to find anything about this renewed push of the Astron brand.

Anyone have any background they can offer?

Same as the town I live in,United is now a Astron.

**GasoLane** · 03-03-2022, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr Terry

I seem to remember, way back in the 60s or 70s the name Astron was used by Caltex as their brand of Premium petrol. In similar fashion to Shell V Power.

Dr Terry

Yep 60's and 70's Caltex Astron was common (we're both showing our age now

)

Also found that Caltex in Sth Africa is rebranding to Astron.

hackney · 03-03-2022, 04:16 PM

Astron is actually a trademark owned by United petroleum Australia.

**FoxtrotGolfXray 5.0** · 03-03-2022, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GasoLane

Yep 60's and 70's Caltex Astron was common (we're both showing our age now

)

Also found that Caltex in Sth Africa is rebranding to Astron.

Yes, probs should've mentioned that the majority of google results showed that change. In their case tho, the Astron Energy brand used the Caltex brand under licence from Chevron (like Caltex here in Aus). Hence the reason we're getting Ampol here.

Quote:

Since 2018, Astron Energy has been operating the Caltex brand under a license agreement with Chevron. Over the next few years, all Caltex branded service stations in South Africa and Botswana will be rebranded to Astron Energy in a phased manner. This makes Astron Energy the overarching brand across the corporate, commercial, and retail channels of the business.

Quote:

Originally Posted by hackney

Astron is actually a trademark owned by United petroleum Australia.

As stated in my first post?

hayseed · 03-03-2022, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FoxtrotGolfXray 5.0

. In their case tho, the Astron Energy brand used the Caltex brand under licence from Chevron (like Caltex here in Aus). Hence the reason we're getting Ampol here.

Chevron Have Bought Puma Fuel Out..

https://australia.chevron.com/news/2...gy-acquisition

Once the AMPOL rebranding is Complete ,expect Puma Servos to become Caltex Servos..

https://www.c-store.com.au/caltex-br...-to-australia/

**FoxtrotGolfXray 5.0** · 03-03-2022, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hayseed

Chevron Have Bought Puma Fuel Out..

https://australia.chevron.com/news/2...gy-acquisition

Once the AMPOL rebranding is Complete ,expect Puma Servos to become Caltex Servos..

https://www.c-store.com.au/caltex-br...-to-australia/

Thanks for that. I'd missed that next chapter in the Caltex story.

Interesting way to handle your brand though; to have it removed from the market, then to only reintroduce it. I appreciate that moving from a licensed naming rights arrangement to direct ownership model didn't make the continuation of the brand in the market easy, but I would have thought they'd find a way to keep the brand in the market.

hayseed · 03-03-2022, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FoxtrotGolfXray 5.0

Thanks for that. I'd missed that next chapter in the Caltex story.

No Worries.. We still haven't resolved the United/Astron Conundrum though...!!

tasdex · 03-03-2022, 10:40 PM

Another reason to jack fuel prices up ,,,

All these new signs cost the company money
We can recoup that in a few cents a litre.
Who’s gunna notice ,?

Bossxr8 · 04-03-2022, 11:50 AM

Did I hear correctly that ampol basically has nothing australian about it, bar branding?

It makes a mockery of their "Ampol, Australia's own" advertising they are running with atm.

hayseed · 04-03-2022, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

Did I hear correctly that ampol basically has nothing australian about it, bar branding?

It makes a mockery of their "Ampol, Australia's own" advertising they are running with atm.

They are listed on the Australian Stock Exchange ( ASX code ALD)........

Bossxr8 · 04-03-2022, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hayseed

They are listed on the Australian Stock Exchange ( ASX code ALD)........

Isn't it owned by a foreign oil company, or am I mistaken?

**FoxtrotGolfXray 5.0** · 04-03-2022, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

Isn't it owned by a foreign oil company, or am I mistaken?

Chevron sold its 50% ownership share in Caltex Australia in 2015. After Chevron gave notice in 2019 to Caltex Australia of it's intention to withdraw the naming rights, Caltex Australia changed its name to Ampol.

As hayseed said, it's listed on the Aus stock exchange, so who knows as to who the primary ownership sits with.

That's a very quick synopsis: more info here and here.

hayseed · 04-03-2022, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

Isn't it owned by a foreign oil company, or am I mistaken?

The Annual Report will list the Major Shareholders...!(Page 137)

https://www.ampol.com.au/about-ampol...l-reports/2021

Jeza · 20-10-2023, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hayseed

No Worries.. We still haven't resolved the United/Astron Conundrum though...!!

Just thought I'd add some clarity to the question.

Astron sits within the United family. United sites that have / are being re branded are essentially United franchised sites (sites that are not owned 100% by United).The sites are the same as they have always been, same fuel and normally the same staff, just with Astron instead of United branding. They also don't have Pie Face, Barista coffee etc that United's do.

These sites are normally smaller or rural sites. Pretty much if it is currently a United and doesn't have Pie Face, it is a franchised site and will eventually change to Astron (or another completely different brand at the end of the current lease). If you see Pie Face being added to a United, there's a 95% chance that the site is United owned.

roKWiz · 20-10-2023, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeza

Just thought I'd add some clarity to the question.

Astron sits within the United family. United sites that have / are being re branded are essentially United franchised sites (sites that are not owned 100% by United).The sites are the same as they have always been, same fuel and normally the same staff, just with Astron instead of United branding. They also don't have Pie Face, Barista coffee etc that United's do.

These sites are normally smaller or rural sites. Pretty much if it is currently a United and doesn't have Pie Face, it is a franchised site and will eventually change to Astron (or another completely different brand at the end of the current lease). If you see Pie Face being added to a United, there's a 95% chance that the site is United owned.

Interesting the 2 big United sites down here don't have Pie Face but both are IGA franchised stations.