Leaked e-mail suggests PKN Orlen is losing ground

Customers are more willing to purchase fuel from foreign networks or independent gas stations, with analysts blaming Orlen's high pump prices. Since January the company has increased prices of its gasoline 27 times, while the cost of oil has risen 19 times. Over the same period it lowered prices 13 and nine times, respectively. According to Parkiet sources, it turns out that in Q1 Orlen sold 12% less fuels than the same period last year. In 2002 the firm controlled a 35.4% share of the market, a year later the figure stood at 32%, while in 2004 it reportedly amounts to 28.6%. At the same time the share of foreign corporations in the domestic fuel market increased from 24% to 29% by the end of 2004. (Parkiet, p. 1) M.M.