BP, Caltex and Shell all matched Mobil's 2c-a-litre petrol rise yesterday, but old-fashioned competition means some motorists can dodge the increases.
The price hike has taken urban petrol to about 99.9c a litre for unleaded 91 and to $1.04 for premium unleaded. However, competition is keeping prices down in some areas.
In Auckland, rivalry among four companies near the corner of New North Rd and Sandringham Rd has motorists driving from across the city for petrol at least 2c a litre cheaper than outlets just a kilometre away.
BP Kingsland owner-operator Avtar Saini has sold petrol for 2c a litre cheaper than Shell and Mobil - both within a few hundred metres of his station - for the past five years. The first six months were tough, but word spread and motorists have queued to fill up since. Last night he sold 91 for 94.9c and 96 for 99.9c.
He increased his prices by 1c a month ago to shorten the queue of waiting cars after neighbours complained to the city council that it was blocking their driveways.
Mr Saini said Gull, which set up 400m down the road last September, had so far failed to make a dent in his business. Last night, Gull sold 91 for 95.3c and 96 for 100.3c.
Gull has forced Shell, directly over the road, to drop its 91 to 97.7c and 96 to 102.7c. Mobil, around the corner, has also joined in with 91 for 97.3c and 96 for 102.3c.
Petrol prices around Tauranga - one of the cheapest places to fill up the tank - remained unchanged yesterday despite Mobil's announced 2c-a-litre increase. They ranged from 90.9c to 91.9c a litre for unleaded 91 and from 95.9c to 96.9c for super.
A price war has driven home advantages to motorists since Gull Petroleum opened its first Tauranga service station on Hewletts Rd, on the Mt Maunganui side of the harbour bridge, in late November.
At the beginning of February, prices were as low as 86.1c a litre (unleaded) and 90.9c (super).
Gull has continued to throw down the gauntlet, with competitors within 1km of the new outlet and a few across the bridge frequently matching the fluctuating prices. However, the majority of pumps around the district have steadily remained marginally higher.
With the advantage of its own port, Tauranga has petrol prices that are lower than the national average. Smaller centres do not fare so well, with the cost rising in relation to remoteness from the suppliers.
At Waihau Bay, near the tip of the East Cape, 91 was selling for $1.12 a litre yesterday and super for $1.18. In Whakatane, motorists were paying 98.9c and 103.9c.
In Whangarei, 91 could still be bought for 97.9c at BP Downtown in the afternoon, with 96 at 103.9c.
In the Far North yesterday, prices for 91 were already well above $1 a litre at most outlets contacted. Prices for 96 had zoomed to more than $1.12 a litre at some places.
In Paihia yesterday, the Shell 91-octane price was $1.02c a litre while 96 grade was $1.07. BP in Paihia was charging $1.09 (91) and $1.14 (96), while Mobil at Russell had petrol at $1.11 (91) and $1.15 (96).
Mobil in Kaitaia (Star Garage) was at $1.04 (91) and $1.09 (96). Shell Taipa had $1.06 (91) and $1.11 (96). BP at Houhora, on the road to Cape Reinga, had $1.09 (91) and $1.14 (96).
Mobil Te Ngae Rd in Rotorua was charging 99.9c for 91 and 102.9c for 96, while Challenge and Shell in Fenton St and BP Koutu had 91 for 97.9c and 96 for 100.9c.
In Taupo, Shell and Mobil's prices were 102.9c and 107.9c while BP's rates were 100.9c and 105.9c.
Shell met Mobil's increase in Hamilton yesterday with its own petrol price rise, with 91 now selling for 99.9c and 96 selling for 104.9c.
Petrol giants pump up prices
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.