Prolong Super Lubricants Inc. Shifts Gears On Product Advertising

2 September 1999

Prolong Super Lubricants Inc. Shifts Gears On Product Advertising

    IRVINE, Calif.--Sept. 2, 1999--Prolong Super Lubricants Inc., an operating subsidiary of Prolong International Corp. (Amex:PRL), has negotiated a proposed agreement with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in connection with revising some of its promotional materials.
    The FTC has neither challenged the usefulness of Prolong's products, nor suggested that Prolong has misrepresented its products' benefits to consumers. The FTC instead took issue with the sufficiency of scientific data that Prolong had at the time that it made its advertising claims. The FTC seeks no monetary penalties of any kind.
    "Prolong has an excellent history of customer satisfaction," said Elton Alderman, president and CEO of Prolong. "We have always had substantial data for our advertising and now, in cooperation with the FTC, we will continue to make sure that substantiation exists for all claims about our products.
    "We believe the FTC plays an important role in consumer protection, which is in our consumers' best interests. Prolong plans to maintain its high marketing profile for its unique, patented products and does not expect this to affect the growth of the company."
    Prolong, as an industry leader, has already changed some of its promotional activities. The company has modified some advertising materials on its engine lubricant product, including its television program and product packaging, to address the FTC's concerns.

    FTC History and Current Action

    The FTC has previously studied advertising claims made by automotive aftermarket companies, including, but not limited to, those companies manufacturing and distributing engine additives. Recent advancements in technology and chemistry, however, have changed the way engine additive products are formulated, according to Prolong. Prolong believes these advancements need to be considered when addressing the availability of appropriate testing and related advertising for such products.
    The FTC asserts that Prolong lacked adequate substantiation for several of its advertising claims as listed in the proposed FTC action. The agreement, which comes in the form of a proposed consent order, however, does not question the benefits of Prolong's anti-friction engine treatment product and seeks no penalties, financial or otherwise. Although Prolong is eager to further improve its testing, Prolong does not believe that any of its original claims lacked adequate substantiation.
    Announcement of the proposed agreement between Prolong and the FTC is expected shortly. A public comment period of 60 days follows, after which the FTC will announce its final disposition of the issue.
    Prolong International, through its operating subsidiary, Prolong Super Lubricants, located in Irvine, manufactures, markets and distributes a complete line of patented lubricants. The company's products are marketed and sold under the trademarked brand name, "Prolong Super Lubricants(R)," and are used in automotive, industrial and consumer applications. Prolong products are sold throughout the United States, and in selected international markets.