Portuguese 
English 
Spanish 
4 min of reading 
0 comments 
BR Petrobras Leads Fuel Station Market with 30.6%, Followed by Ipiranga (29.5%). Vibra Energia Faces Rebranding Challenge to Win Consumers.
BR Petrobras maintains its leadership position in the fuel station sector in Brazil. With a market share of 30.6%, the company stands out as the most used by consumers. Main competitors, Ipiranga and Shell, also perform strongly, but BR Petrobras continues to lead with a significant margin. Customer preference for BR Petrobras demonstrates the trust and quality of services it offers.
BR Petrobras is adapting to the new demands of the market, not only maintaining its leadership but also innovating in its services. Recently, BR Distribuidora, now known as Vibra Energia, has been facing the challenge of rebranding to attract a new audience. The strategic vision and marketing actions have been crucial for the company to reinvent itself, seeking not only to retain its existing customers but also to acquire new consumers in the competitive market.
Research Reveals Fuel Market Overview in Brazil
CVA Solutions’ research revealed that 80.9% of respondents do not know the Vibra Energia brand. BR Petrobras still has a strong market presence, but its brand strength has diminished. Three brands dominate 82% of the fuel station market. It is noteworthy that Vibra Energia faces the challenge of winning over consumers, as many Brazilians are not familiar with the brand.
-
600 km with three Chinese plug-in SUVs, same mode and air conditioning on: Jaecoo 7, BYD Song Plus, and Haval H6 hit the road, and the pump reveals who was truly the most economical.
-
With a price almost R$ 100 thousand lower, the Haval H9 surpasses the SW4 for the first time in March, but Toyota still leads in the accumulated total for 2026; the Chinese SUV bets on technology and premium finishing to compete at the top.
-
6 used cars that cost less than a new Honda CG 160 Titan and still provide trunk space, four seats, and comfort that many new motorcycles cannot offer.
-
Caoa Chery Tiggo 5X skyrockets in sales in Brazil: a 2,318% increase and waiting lists of up to 4 months to acquire the model.
The main fuel station brands are driven by the growth of convenience stores and automotive services, but the price of fuel remains a decisive factor in consumer choice. The study was conducted through a comprehensive online survey, covering 4,266 people from across Brazil and all income and age groups.
The Strength and Regional Preferences of Brands
CVA Solutions, a subsidiary of the American CVM Inc., has been conducting research for 23 years in Brazil and 28 in the USA. The study indicated that BR Petrobras remains the national preference, with 30.6%, but very close to Ipiranga, which holds 29.5%. BR Petrobras is more chosen in the Northeast, North, and Central-West regions, while Ipiranga dominates the South and Southeast. Regarding the fuel station market, three brands – BR Petrobras, Ipiranga, and Shell – account for about 82% of consumers.
Currently, Brazil has over 40,000 fuel stations and about 8,000 convenience stores that sell fuels, lubricants, automotive services, food, beverages, and more. Factors such as location, affordable prices, brand strength, and good facilities are decisive in consumers’ choices.
Perceived Value and NPS in Consumers’ Choices
Leading brands have a greater number of stations, have been in the market longer, and excel in investment in communication, convenience stores, and loyalty programs. The Perceived Value, which measures the cost-benefit perceived by consumers, showed that benefits account for 33% of this perception, highlighting location, reputation, and fuel quality.
On the other hand, costs represent 67% of the perceived value, with emphasis on the price of fuel. Consumers seek to save but trust the quality of fuel and the convenience of service. The NPS metric, which measures brand recommendation, is led by Ipiranga with 64.5%, followed by Shell and BR Petrobras, among others.
The Challenge of Vibra Energia in the Market
BR Distribuidora, composed of more than 8,300 stations, was acquired by Vibra Energia in 2021. In January 2024, Petrobras informed Vibra Energia that it would not renew the brand usage license after the contract expires in June 2029. CVA’s research showed that the Vibra brand is little known, with only 19.1% overall recognition. The BR Petrobras brand has lost its leadership and has a lower recall level compared to Ipiranga and Shell.
This is a decisive moment for Vibra Energia. There is a dilemma regarding investment in the communication of BR Petrobras, as there is a risk of not being able to use the brand in the future. One solution may be rebranding, transitioning BR Petrobras to Vibra Energia over five years.
Convenience Stores and Automotive Services as a Strong Strategy
Convenience stores and automotive services significantly increase the profitability of stations, with 40.8% of fuel station consumers visiting these stores. These stores boost the use of services such as oil changes and car washes. Ipiranga leads in these services, followed by Shell and BR Petrobras.
Lubrax, from BR Petrobras, is the leader in lubricating oil sales, followed by brands such as Mobil, Castrol, and Ipiranga. In loyalty programs, Ipiranga leads, followed by Shell and BR Petrobras. The fuel retail sector is still less digitized, making convenience stores and loyalty programs important strategies to engage consumers.
Source: © paula@difattocom.com.br
Seja o primeiro a reagir!