Aral AG

Aral is a brand of automobile fuels and gas stations, present in Germany and Luxembourg, but formerly used in most countries of Western and Central Europe. The company behind the brand name, Aral AG (previously Veba Öl AG), is owned by BP, but was established in 1898 as Westdeutsche Benzol-Verkaufs-Vereinigung GmbH. The Aral brand was introduced in 1924 and is a portmanteau of the German words "Aromaten" and "Aliphaten", alluding to the aromatic and aliphatic components found in gasoline, respectively. On July 15, 2001, it was agreed that 51% of the stakes in Veba Öl AG would be acquired by Deutsche BP AG. Beginning February 1, 2002, the acquisition was completed. The Aral brand name was retained, and 650 BP stations in Germany were...