UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
BEFORE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION

Commissioners:

Robert Pitofsky, Chairman

Mary L. Azcuenaga

Janet D. Steiger

Roscoe B. Starek, III

In the Matter of

EXXON CORPORATION, a corporation.

DOCKET NO. 9281

DECISION AND ORDER

The Federal Trade Commission having heretofore issued its complaint charging the respondent named in the caption hereof with violation of Section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act, as amended, and the respondent having been served with a copy of that complaint, together with a copy of the contemplated relief; and

The respondent, its attorney, and counsel for the Commission having thereafter executed an agreement containing a consent order, an admission by the respondent of all the jurisdictional facts set forth in the complaint, a statement that the signing of the agreement is for settlement purposes only and does not constitute an admission by respondent that the law has been violated as alleged in such complaint, or that the facts as alleged in such complaint, other than jurisdictional facts, are true and waivers and other provisions as required by the Commission's Rules; and

The Secretary of the Commission having thereafter withdrawn this matter from adjudication in accordance with § 3.25(c) of its Rules; and

The Commission having considered the matter and having thereupon accepted the executed consent agreement and placed such agreement on the public record for a period of sixty (60) days, and having duly considered the comment filed thereafter by interested persons pursuant to § 3.25(f) of its Rules, now in further conformity with the procedure prescribed in

§ 3.25(f) of its Rules, the Commission hereby makes the following jurisdictional findings, and enters the following order:

1. Respondent Exxon Corporation is a New Jersey corporation, with its offices and principal place of business located at 225 E. John W. Carpenter Freeway, Irving, Texas 75062.

2. The Federal Trade Commission has jurisdiction of the subject matter of this proceeding and of the respondent, and the proceeding is in the public interest.

ORDER

DEFINITIONS

For purposes of this order, the following definitions shall apply:

1. "Competent and reliable scientific evidence" shall mean tests, analyses, research, studies, or other evidence based on the expertise of professionals in the relevant area, that has been conducted and evaluated in an objective manner by persons qualified to do so, using procedures generally accepted in the profession to yield accurate and reliable results.

2. Unless otherwise specified, "respondent" shall mean Exxon Corporation, its successors and assigns, and its officers, agents, representatives and employees.

3. "In or affecting commerce" shall mean as defined in Section 4 of the Federal Trade Commission Act, 15 U.S.C. § 44.

I.

IT IS ORDERED that respondent, directly or through any corporation, subsidiary, division or other device, in connection with the manufacturing, labeling, advertising, promotion, offering for sale, sale, or distribution of Exxon Supreme 93 octane gasoline, Exxon Plus 89 octane gasoline, Exxon Regular 87 octane gasoline or any other gasoline of any grade or octane rating in or affecting commerce, shall not make any representation, in any manner, expressly or by implication, concerning the engine cleaning ability of any gasoline (including a constituent ingredient, octane rating or grade thereof); or the effect of any gasoline (including a constituent ingredient, octane rating or grade thereof) on automobile maintenance or automobile maintenance costs, unless, at the time of making such representation, respondent possesses and relies upon competent and reliable scientific evidence that substantiates the representation.

For purposes of this Part, any representation, directly or by implication, that any gasoline will keep clean fuel injector deposits to a level that engine performance is not adversely affected by such deposits is deemed to be substantiated if respondent possesses and relies upon competent and reliable testing demonstrating no more than 5 percent flow restriction in each injector over the accumulation of 10,000 miles, in accordance with the test procedures and performance standards for port fuel injector deposit control set forth by the United States Environmental Protection Agency at 40 C.F.R. §§ 80.161-80.173 (1996). If this regulation is formally superseded or amended by the EPA, then compliance with the superseding or amended regulation shall be deemed substantiation for such representation.

For purposes of this Part, any representation, directly or by implication, that any gasoline will clean up fuel injector deposits to a level that engine performance is not adversely affected by such deposits is deemed to be substantiated if respondent possesses and relies upon competent and reliable testing demonstrating that the flow rate in each injector is restored to no more than 5 percent flow restriction over the accumulation of 10,000 miles.

For purposes of this Part, any representation, directly or by implication, that a gasoline will keep clean intake valve deposits to a level that engine performance is not adversely affected by such deposits is deemed to be substantiated if respondent possesses and relies upon competent and reliable testing demonstrating intake valve deposit weight of less than 100 mg-per-valve on average over the accumulation of 10,000 miles, in accordance with the test procedures and performance standards for intake valve deposit control set forth by the United States Environmental Protection Agency at 40 C.F.R. §§ 80.161-80.173 (1996). If this regulation is formally superseded or amended by the EPA, then compliance with the superseding or amended regulation shall be deemed substantiation for such representation.

For purposes of this Part, any representation, directly or by implication, that a gasoline will clean up intake valve deposits to a level that engine performance is not adversely affected by such deposits is deemed to be substantiated if respondent possesses and relies upon competent and reliable testing demonstrating that the intake valve deposit weight is restored to less than 100 mg-per-valve on average over the accumulation of 10,000 miles.

Provided, however, that nothing in this order shall prohibit respondent from truthfully representing the numerical octane rating of any gasoline.

II.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that respondent shall produce and disseminate an educational television message as set forth below:

A. The message shall be fifteen (15) seconds in length and shall contain the audio and video elements set forth in Appendix A to this order. The message shall not contain any audio or visual element or technique that materially alters, obscures or detracts from the communication of the statements contained therein. Respondent shall submit a videotape of the message to Commission staff at least twenty (20) days prior to the first scheduled broadcast of the message.

B. The message shall be broadcast in the eighteen markets in the United States set forth in Appendix B to this order.

C. The message shall be broadcast during two different periods of time: (1) the last three weeks of September 1997 and (2) beginning no less than thirty (30) days after the termination of the first period, but completed no later than November 21, 1997. For each period of time, the message shall be broadcast over the course of not less than two weeks.

D. For the September 1997 period in which the message is broadcast, 178 "Target Rating Points (TRPs)" shall be purchased by respondent to achieve a "percentage reach" of the "target audience" of sixty-five percent (65%) plus or minus five tenths of one percent (± .5%) and an "average frequency of exposure" of 2.70 plus or minus five one hundredths (± .05) for each market in which the message is broadcast. For the October/November 1997 period in which the message is broadcast, 104 "Target Rating Points (TRPs)" shall be purchased by respondent to achieve a "percentage reach" of the "target audience" of fifty-one percent (51%) plus or minus five tenths of one percent (± .5%) and an "average frequency of exposure" of 2.00 plus or minus five one hundredths (± .05) for each market in which the message is broadcast. For purposes of this part, "percentage reach" shall mean the percentage of different persons of the target audience that view the message at least once in each period of time the message is broadcast as determined by an established audience rating service; "target audience" shall mean the 18-49 year old component of the viewing audience; "average frequency of exposure" shall mean the average number of different times the members of the target audience view the message as determined by an established audience rating service; and "Target Rating Points (TRPs)" shall mean the mathematical product of the percentage reach and the average frequency of exposure.

E. Respondent shall monitor the purchase of each dissemination schedule and shall provide to Commission staff a written report indicating the purchase of the required Target Rating Points in each market for each time period in which the message is to be broadcast. Respondent shall submit this purchase report at least fifteen (15) days prior to the start of the first broadcast of the message in September 1997 and at least fifteen (15) days prior to the start of the first broadcast of the message in October/November 1997.

F. For each of the two time periods during which the message is broadcast, as set forth above, respondent shall submit to Commission staff a written report detailing the TRPs achieved by the message in each of the markets in which it was broadcast. The report shall be based on ratings provided by an established audience ratings service. Each report shall be submitted within one hundred twenty (120) days after the last day of the calendar quarter in which the message was broadcast, but in any event no later than thirty (30) days after respondent's receipt of said ratings. In any market where the message fails to achieve ninety percent (90%) of the total TRPs purchased for each dissemination period, as set forth above, respondent shall use its best efforts to obtain compensatory (or additional) time to rebroadcast the message to achieve the TRPs purchased in each market within sixty (60) days following the presentation to Commission staff of each written report. Respondent shall monitor any compensatory broadcasts of the message and provide to Commission staff a final written report detailing the TRPs achieved by the message in each of the markets in which it was rebroadcast.

III.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, that respondent shall produce, print and distribute to Exxon service stations a color brochure entitled "Answering Your Questions About Octane," as set forth below:

A. The brochure shall be in the form and content set forth in Appendix C to this order. Respondent shall submit a production-ready copy of the brochure to Commission staff at least twenty (20) days prior to the first scheduled distribution of the brochure to Exxon service stations.

B. Respondent shall distribute the brochure, in quantities sufficient to meet reasonably anticipated demand, to every Exxon service station in the United States, within sixty (60) days after the date of service of this order. With respect to Exxon-operated service stations, respondent shall instruct the stations to make the brochures available in a prominent and readily accessible location at the station, such as at the gasoline pump islands. With respect to independently-operated Exxon service stations, respondent shall use its best efforts to encourage the stations to make the brochures available in a prominent and readily accessible location.

C. Respondent shall distribute the brochures to Exxon service stations at no cost to the stations or the public.

D. Respondent shall monitor the demand for and supply of brochures at Exxon service stations, and shall continue to produce and distribute the brochures as necessary to meet reasonably anticipated demand for a period of at least two (2) years after the date of service of this order.

E. Respondent shall provide to Commission staff written reports detailing the total number of brochures printed and distributed to Exxon service stations, including any additional distributions of brochures to stations subsequent to the initial distribution. Respondent shall submit such reports every six (6) months, beginning six (6) months after the initial distribution of brochures to Exxon service stations, and continuing for two (2) years thereafter.

IV.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that respondent Exxon Corporation, and its successors and assigns, shall, for three (3) years after the last date of dissemination of any representation covered by this order, maintain and upon request make available to the Federal Trade Commission for inspection and copying:

A. All advertisements and promotional materials containing the representation;

B. All materials that were relied upon in disseminating the representation; and

C. All tests, reports, studies, surveys, demonstrations, or other evidence in their possession or control that contradict, qualify, or call into question the representation, or the basis relied upon for the representation, including complaints and other communications with consumers or with governmental or consumer protection organizations.

V.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that respondent Exxon Corporation, and its successors and assigns, shall within thirty (30) days after the date of service of this order distribute a copy of this order to all operating divisions, subsidiaries, and to each of its officers, agents, representatives, or employees engaged in the preparation and placement of advertisements or promotional sales materials covered by this order, and shall secure from each such person a signed and dated statement acknowledging receipt of the order.

VI.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that respondent Exxon Corporation, and its successors and assigns, shall notify the Commission at least thirty (30) days prior to any change in the corporation that may affect compliance obligations arising under this order, including but not limited to a dissolution, assignment, sale, merger, or other action that would result in the emergence of a successor corporation; the creation or dissolution of a subsidiary, parent, or affiliate that engages in any acts or practices subject to this order; the proposed filing of a bankruptcy petition; or a change in the corporate name or address. Provided, however, that, with respect to any proposed change in the corporation about which respondent learns less than thirty (30) days prior to the date such action is to take place, respondent shall notify the Commission as soon as is practicable after obtaining such knowledge. All notices required by this Part shall be sent by certified mail to the Associate Director, Division of Enforcement, Bureau of Consumer Protection, Federal Trade Commission, Washington, D.C. 20580.

VII.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that respondent Exxon Corporation shall, within sixty (60) days after service of this order upon it, and at such other times as the Commission may require, file with the Commission a report, in writing, setting forth in detail the manner and form in which it has complied with this order.

VIII.

This order will terminate on September 12, 2017, or twenty years from the most recent date that the United States or the Federal Trade Commission files a complaint (with or without an accompanying consent decree) in federal court alleging any violation of the order, whichever comes later; provided, however, that the filing of such a complaint will not affect the duration of:

A. Any paragraph in this order that terminates in less than twenty years;

B. This order's application to any respondent that is not named as a defendant in such complaint; and

C. This order if such complaint is filed after the order has terminated pursuant to this paragraph.

Provided, further, that if such complaint is dismissed or a federal court rules that the respondent did not violate any provision of the order, and the dismissal or ruling is either not appealed or upheld on appeal, then the order will terminate according to this paragraph as though the complaint was never filed, except that the order will not terminate between the date such complaint is filed and the later of the deadline for appealing such dismissal or ruling and the date such dismissal or ruling is upheld on appeal.

By the Commission, Commissioner Azcuenaga concurring in part and dissenting in part, and Commissioner Starek recused.

Donald S. Clark
Secretary

SEAL:

ISSUED: September 12, 1997

APPENDIX B

1997 EXXON GASOLINE 

Stand-alone :15's for September, November flights 

---:15 in 18 Markets--- 

                               Target Imprs	  Gross Imprs
                              (000)      TRPs    (000)     GRPS

Baltimore                      3,666     282     4,651      470
Baton Rouge                    1,010     282     1,270      470
Dallas                         7,104     282     8,688      470
Houston                        6,373     282     7,498      470
New York                      25,544     282    31,544      470
Norfolk                        2,374     282     2,969      470
Philadelphia                   9,526     282    12,474      470
Richmond                       1,760     282     2,166      470
San Antonio                    2,391     282     3,016      470
Washington, DC                 7,591     282     8,970      470
                              67,339     282    83,246      470

Austin                         1,605     282     2,050      470
Boston                         7,992     282    10,106      470
Charleston --
Huntington                     1,610     282     2,269      470
Corpus Christi                   592     282       847      470
Nashville                      2,685     282     3,680      470
Orlando                        3,243     282     4,803      470
Pittsburgh                     3,658     282     5,400      470
Tampa                          3,830     282     6,634      470
                              25,214     282    35,788      470

18 Mkt Total                  92,552     282   119,034      470

---Adults 18-49--- 

Schedule	       % Rch	  Avg
Analysis:        1+       Freq	  TRPS

September        65       2.7	   178 

November         51       2.0	   104 

Combined         75       3.7	   282 

APPENDIX C

Answering Your Questions About Octane

Q. What are Octane Ratings?

A. Octane ratings are a measure of a gasoline's ability to resist engine knock or pinging. The higher the octane rating, the greater the gasoline's resistance to knock. Knock is a sharp, metallic-sounding, or pinging noise that results from uncontrolled combustion.

Q. What octane levels are available at Exxon stations?

A. Exxon offers three grades of unleaded gasoline at our service stations: 87 octane (Exxon Regular), 89 octane (Exxon Plus), and 93 octane (Exxon Supreme). In high altitude areas, such as the Rocky Mountains, the equivalent octane levels typically available are 85, 86 and 91. All three grades contain the same amount of our engine cleaning additive.

Q. What octane level is right for my car?

A. To find out what octane your engine needs, first check your owner's manual. The recommended level is often unleaded regular (87 octane). Some models have high compression engines which are designed to utilize the octane level in Exxon Plus or Supreme.

Ordinarily, your car will not benefit from using a higher octane than is recommended in the owner's manual. But if your engine knocks or pings at the recommended octane level, you may need a higher octane gasoline to prevent the knock. Knocking may occur under certain conditions. A small percentage of cars may knock because of variations in engines of the same model due to manufacturing tolerances, or because of an unusual build-up of engine deposits during the first 15,000 miles of driving. Other factors such as extremely hot weather, changes in altitude or hard driving conditions (like towing a heavy load) may also cause knocking.

Many modern cars are equipped with an electronic device that detects and eliminates light knocking before you hear it. The devices suppress knock by retarding the spark. Exxon believes that some of these cars may experience some deterioration of acceleration performance, without knocking, when operating under high engine demand conditions.

Q. Is knocking serious? What should I do if my car is knocking or pinging?

A. Occasional light knocking is not harmful to the engine, but heavy knocking or continuous operation with audible knock can cause loss of power and even engine damage. If your engine is knocking, switching to a higher octane gasoline may solve the problem. If the knocking or pinging continues after one or two fill-ups, have your engine checked by a qualified mechanic to make sure it is calibrated correctly and has no mechanical or electrical problems. You may need a tune-up or some repair work.