Energy giant Royal Dutch/Shell Group yesterday announced a US$23 million joint venture with Shanghai Automotive Group to build China's first vehicle maintenance services chain.
The new venture, Anji Jiffy Lube Automotive Services, plans to develop more than 600 outlets across the country by 2015.
Each outlet will offer engine oil change, filter replacement and radiator and transmission check-up services.
It plans to set up 10 pilot facilities in Shanghai in the first year of operation, gradually expanding to Beijing and other parts of the mainland.
Shell will provide lubricants to the venture, equally owned by the company and Shanghai Automotive, China's second-largest carmaker.
The joint venture aims to attract increasingly affluent car owners willing to pay more for standardised services performed in 15 minutes as the customer waits.