Velocity Auto Care Expands Texas Footprint with 50th Service Center

Velocity Auto Care recently reached a milestone of reaching 50 Valvoline Instant Oil Change service centers in operation, as shared in a recent press release.

A portfolio company of Franchise Equity Partners, Velocity Auto Care partnered with FEP to acquire 38 Valvoline Instant Oil Change franchise locations from Valvoline in December 2024. The acquisition also included a development agreement to open an additional 75 service centers over seven years.

Velocity’s newest store in Edinburg, Texas, at 2930 W Trenton Road, is the 12th location opened since the 2024 acquisition. 

"Reaching 50 locations is an important accomplishment that demonstrates the strength of our partnership with Velocity Auto Care and our shared commitment to thoughtful, long-term growth," said Mike Esposito, co-founder and co-managing partner of Franchise Equity Partners. "Since the acquisition, the Velocity team has executed an ambitious expansion strategy while maintaining a focus on operational excellence and delivering an exceptional customer experience. We look forward to continuing that momentum across our development territory."

Velocity has continued expanding throughout its designated territory, including opening the first-ever Valvoline Instant Oil Change location in the Rio Grande Valley in 2025. The company now operates six service centers in the region.

Velocity Auto Care currently has 18 additional service centers in development, all expected to open by the end of 2027. Expansion over the next 18 months will focus on Austin, El Paso, Midland-Odessa, the Rio Grande Valley, San Antonio, Corpus Christi, Las Cruces, New Mexico, and other high-growth markets throughout Central, South, and West Texas.

"Our development pipeline reflects the significant opportunity we see across our territory," said Robert Fish, CEO of Velocity Auto Care. "We're building strategically in high-growth communities and remain on track to add an average of nine to 12 new locations annually as we continue working toward our long-term goal."

Study: More Drivers Skipping Vehicle Maintenance Services

More than half of U.S. drivers are now delaying or skipping routine maintenance for their vehicles, with oil changes being the most postponed service, according to a study published recently by Midas.

In its first Midas Consumer Pulse Survey, the brand found that 53% of drivers are putting off vehicle maintenance, with oil changes (33%) being the most often deferred, followed by tires (32%) and air conditioning repair (31%). Among those delaying vehicle maintenance services, half of respondents cited their inability to cover the cost.

Beyond routine maintenance, the share of U.S. drivers unable to afford car repairs is on the rise as well. The Midas survey found that 66% of drivers said they would be unable to afford an unexpected $500 car repair bill. The data shows an increase in U.S. drivers facing financial pressure over the past year, as 26% of respondents said they could not afford a $500 repair bill when surveyed by FinanceBuzz in the summer of 2025.  

Millennial drivers (ages 35 to 44) are the most strained, with 71% saying they would struggle to pay an unexpected $500 repair bill and are most likely to say a payment plan matters when choosing a shop for repair service (26%).

“For most people, their car isn't a luxury. It's how they get to work, pick up their kids, and take care of the people who count on them," Paul Elliott, VP of marketing at Midas, said in a news release. “Mobility is at the center of everyday life, and what stood out to us in this survey is how many drivers are making tough tradeoffs just to keep moving.”

The Midas survey also found that 37% of drivers have attempted DIY solutions for repairs they would normally rely on a shop to perform, including 46% of respondents between the ages of 25 and 34. When a warning light comes on, Midas survey respondents are turning to researching self-fix options on Google, YouTube, or AI (33% of respondents) compared to 23% who schedule service immediately.

QC Capital Group Launches Cruz Express Oil in Georgia

QC Capital Group, LLC announced the launch of Cruz Express Oil, an express oil change brand, in a press release.

The company has been operating AquaShine Express, an express car wash brand with 11 locations, in addition to other businesses in sectors including liquidity, healthcare (telehealth), and small-bay flex industrial real estate.

Cruz Express Oil’s first two locations—in Duluth and Alpharetta, Georgia—are now operating under the Cruz Express Oil name, with the full rebrand of both sites currently underway. Both locations remain open and serving customers throughout the rebrand, and the brand's website is expected to launch in mid-to-late October.

"Car care is a need, not a want. People wash their cars and change their oil every week in towns across the Southeast, and both belong in an operator-led platform built on essential services," said Chris Salerno, founder and chief executive officer of QC Capital Group. "Cruz Express Oil is the natural next door for us to open. We operate it the same way we operate every site we own: ourselves, on the ground, with discipline."

"Our teams make the difference at every location," said Chris Stevens, vice president of operations for AquaShine Express and Cruz Express Oil. "Duluth and Alpharetta are running the way a shop should run: fast service, honest recommendations, and customers who come back because the experience earned it. Cruz Express Oil is built on the same standard that has driven AquaShine Express, and the teams at both brands are ready to carry it."

Valvoline Partners with Crystal Clean to Enhance Heavy Duty Customer Services

Valvoline Global Operations has entered a commercial collaboration with Crystal Clean, as shared in a recent press release.

Through the relationship, eligible Valvoline Heavy Duty customers can gain access to preferred commercial offerings and nationwide service capabilities from Crystal Clean, including competitive rates from Crystal Clean for qualifying used oil collection.

Crystal Clean operates more than 130 facilities serving more than 100,000 customer locations across 48 states. Its services include used oil collection and recovery, antifreeze services, parts cleaning, waste disposal, wastewater vacuum truck services, and additional industrial and field services.

“For Valvoline customers, this relationship represents another way we are adding value beyond our premium lubricant offerings—connecting customers with complementary services that can help support their day-to-day operations,” said John Walters, vice president of heavy duty sales at Valvoline Global Operations.

Costa Kapothanasis Acquires Lubri-Loy

Constantine "Costa" Kapothanasis has acquired The Lubri-Loy Company, Inc., as shared in a recent press release.

Lubri-Loy is a St. Louis-born lubricant maker that’s been in business since 1949. Kapothanasis—who serves as president and CEO of quick-lube operator Costa Oils Inc. and runs the Costa Filters performance filtration brand—purchased 100% of the company from longtime owner David Graham through a private holding company. 

"Lubri-Loy has been a part of my life for a long time, and I was never going to hand it to someone who saw only a balance sheet," said Graham. "Costa knows this industry, he respects where this brand came from, and he has the energy and the reach to take it places I could not. I cannot think of a better steward for the next 77 years."

Lubri-Loy will keep its name, its product line, and the customer and distributor relationships it has built over decades. Its company headquarters will remain in St. Louis, the city where Lubri-Loy was founded, with offices at the historic 701 Market Street.

Kapothanasis plans to pair Lubri-Loy's heritage with the tools of a modern lubricants business. The first moves are already underway, which includes:

A new logo, featuring a bold block-letter wordmark in black, white, and orange, and with "Lubri-Loy Roy," the brand's mascot.

A new website carrying the full product catalog, containing spec sheets, a distributor locator, direct ordering, and a heritage archive of the brand's vintage advertising and racing history.

The launch of Lubri-U: A new training and product-knowledge platform that gives the Lubri-Loy team courses, certifications, and a single library of technical documents.

A plan to bring Lubri-Loy’s automotive products back to its line, starting in the more than 60 quick-lube locations operated by Costa Oils Inc.

"Lubri-Loy has been keeping American engines and machines running since Harry Truman was in the White House," said Kapothanasis. "You cannot build a 77-year-old brand. You can only inherit one and be worthy of it. My job is to protect what generations of customers have trusted and give this name the growth it has earned."

Shell Rotella Launches Upgraded Heavy-Duty Engine Oils with New API CL-4 and FB-4 Standards

Shell Rotella has released an upgraded portfolio of heavy-duty engine oils formulated to meet the new API CL-4 and API FB-4 specifications, as shared in a press release.

The portfolio includes enhanced formulations designed to deliver advanced protection against oil breakdown, wear, and deposits, while supporting emissions systems found in modern diesel engines.

The new API specifications, which will have a first licensing date of Jan. 1, 2027, succeed the current API CK-4 and FA-4 categories. API CL-4 is backward compatible with CK-4 applications, allowing diesel vehicles and equipment to use the new oils in both current and older diesel engines where appropriate. 

API FB-4 succeeds FA-4 and is focused on lower-viscosity formulations designed for engine platforms where fuel efficiency and durability must be balanced.

Shell Rotella API CL-4 and FB-4 heavy-duty engine oils will be introduced starting in early 2027, in conjunction with API first licensing dates. Specific product availability may vary as products are introduced in phases.

The introduction of the new API CL-4 and FB-4 engine oils will also bring enhanced Shell Rotella warranty protection for advanced synthetic blend and full synthetic products:

Shell Rotella T4 Triple Protection warranty will remain at up to 10 years or 300,000 miles

Shell Rotella T5 Advanced Synthetic Blend will increase from 10 years or 300,000 miles to 12 years or 400,000 miles

Shell Rotella T6 Full Synthetic coverage will increase from 15 years or 500,000 miles to 15 years or 600,000 miles

“As diesel engine technology continues to evolve, our customers need products that protect the equipment they rely on today while helping them confidently prepare for what comes next,” said Julie Wright, Shell Rotella Brand Manager. “This Shell Rotella portfolio brings our next generation of heavy-duty engine oils to market, backed by more than 50 years of customer trust and extensive real-world testing to deliver the protection and performance today’s engines demand.”

FullSpeed Automotive Appoints Director of Franchise Operations

FullSpeed Automotive has appointed Charles Pratt as director of franchise operations, as shared in a recent social media post.

Pratt, who joined the company a little under a year ago, had been a franchise support director. His career has included time as a market manager at Valvoline Instant Oil Change – Ivy Lane, a franchise business consultant with Valvoline Inc., and an area manager for Valvoline Instant Oil Change – Henley Enterprises.

Lucas Oil Elevates Manager to Executive Role

Lucas Oil announced the promotion of Naomi Furgiuele to chief operating officer in a recent press release. In her new role, Furgiuele will oversee key company operations, including manufacturing, customer service, information technology and supply chain management. Furgiuele assumes the role of COO effective immediately.

Before joining Lucas Oil, Furgiuele led innovation and growth at Ignite Venture Studio and co-founded Small World Brands, following a 16-year tenure at Johnson & Johnson where she drove major product strategies for brands like Neutrogena and Aveeno. Furgiuele joined Lucas Oil in early 2024 as senior product manager.