History of Mobil in the UK

Mobil's roots in Britain go back to 1885 when Vacuum Oil, a US company producing superior lubricating oil, opened a sales office in Liverpool.

Vacuum Oil was part of John D Rockefeller's US company the Standard Oil Trust. When the US Supreme Court ordered the dissolution of the Standard Oil Trust in 1911, its assets were acquired by one of the spin-off companies, the Standard Oil Company of New York, which eventually became Mobil Oil.

Although Mobil petrol brands did not appear in the UK until 1954, the trademark Mobiloil was used by Vacuum Oil in Britain as early as 1899. On December 1,1955, the company changed its name to the Mobil Oil Company Limited.

Records are vague, but indicate that whoever first suggested Mobiloil was motivated by the Latin word "mobilis" - meaning capable of being moved - and by the new horseless carriages that the product lubricated.

Related content

History of Esso in the UK

History of Esso in the UK

Esso began life as the Anglo American Oil Company in 1888. It was the first foreign affiliate of John D Rockefeller's US company the Standard Oil Trust. It had a head office at Bishopsgate, London, and a depot at Purfleet in Essex. The depot stored paraffin being shipped from New York for use in lamps throughout England.
Our guiding principles

Our guiding principles

Exxon Mobil Corporation is committed to being the world's premier petroleum and chemical manufacturing company. To that end, we must continuously achieve superior financial and operating results while adhering to high ethical standards.
Business divisions

Business divisions

An industry leader in almost every aspect of the energy and chemical manufacturing businesses, we operate facilities or market products in most of the world’s countries and explore for oil and natural gas on six continents.
Standards of business conduct

Standards of business conduct

How we achieve strong results is as important as the results themselves. The company's directors, officers and employees are expected to observe the highest standards of integrity in conducting business.