Reconfirmation of 'Customer Trust' in Korea Management Association Consulting Evaluation
Investment in Electric Vehicle Charging and Subscription-based Car Wash Startups
SK Gas Station announced on the 26th that it has ranked first place for 17 consecutive years in the gas station category of the ‘2023 Korea Industry Brand Power (K-BPI).’ Organized by the Korea Management Association Consulting (KMAC), the K-BPI is an index that has measured brand competitiveness of products and services across domestic industries since 1999.
SK Energy, the first domestic oil company, operates a nationwide network of approximately 3,000 gas stations. SK Gas Station is evolving from merely a refueling space into a ‘platform’ equipped with services that meet drivers’ convenience. Keeping pace with recent market environment changes such as the expansion of electric vehicles and the transition to eco-friendly energy, it is also promoting a business model transformation into an ‘eco-friendly platform network.’
Last year, SK opened Korea’s first ‘Energy Super Station’ at Parkmi Gas Station in Geumcheon-gu, Seoul, aiming to evolve gas stations into eco-friendly energy hubs. By investing in the U.S. company Atom Power, which possesses electric vehicle (EV) charging technology, and the domestic startup Autostay, which offers a subscription-based car wash model, SK secured core technologies and capabilities for a future-oriented energy business that combines eco-friendly mobility and energy solutions.
SK gas stations have been selected as the No. 1 in K-BPI for 17 consecutive years. [Photo by SK Innovation]
SK Gas Station is expanding customer touchpoints to transform gas stations into ‘spaces that provide new value and experiences.’ The pop-up store ‘SK Ju(su)yuso,’ prepared to celebrate the 60th anniversary last year, reinterpreted gas stations with features such as fuel pumps that dispense beer, offering a unique experience to over 5,200 visitors. All proceeds were shared with underprivileged groups, practicing the role of sharing.
The social contribution project ‘Our Neighborhood First Aid Station,’ which utilizes SK Gas Stations as local safety hubs, has now expanded to 162 directly operated gas stations nationwide, providing assistance to citizens facing difficulties due to traffic accidents, natural disasters, and more.
Through these diverse activities, SK Gas Station plans to approach customers not only fulfilling its original role of energy supply but also as a ‘space that fills and shares life’s energy and happiness.’
Oh Jong-hoon, CEO of SK Energy’s P&M (Platform & Marketing) CIC (Company In Company), said, “SK Gas Station will continue to communicate with customers through unique and enjoyable content this year as well,” adding, “By combining the technologies and capabilities established last year, we will continue to evolve and develop as a platform operator while also providing customer-friendly eco-friendly services.”
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