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There is no evidence that TOP TIER bribes automobile manufacturers to recommend their fuel. The relationship is a transparent, cooperative one built on mutual interest, not illicit payments.
The TOP TIER program was actually established in 2004 by a group of major automakers, including BMW, Ford, GM, Honda, and Toyota. They created a higher performance standard for gasoline because the minimum EPA requirements were not sufficient to protect increasingly sophisticated engines from performance-robbing deposits.
Fuel retailers voluntarily choose to participate. To earn the TOP TIER certification and use its logo, they pay licensing fees and must prove their gasoline meets the stricter detergent standards set by the automakers.
The benefits are mutual and transparent:
* For Automakers: Recommending TOP TIER fuel leads to better engine performance and longevity for their vehicles. This results in higher customer satisfaction, fewer warranty claims, and a stronger brand reputation.
* For Fuel Retailers: The certification is a powerful marketing tool that signals a higher quality product to consumers, differentiating them from competitors.
The system is based on shared interests in engine health and performance. The claim of bribery is unfounded; the structure is public, and the motivations are based on vehicle engineering and marketing, not secret kickbacks.
