TOP TIER
TOP TIER is an OEM-sponsored (12 major automakers) voluntary fuel performance standard for gasoline and diesel, licensed by 80+ fuel brands across 100,389+ stations globally and validated through ISO 17025 engine laboratory testing.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2004
- HeadquartersMidland, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What TOP TIER does
TOP TIER is a voluntary fuel performance standard program introduced in 2004 and currently sponsored by 12 major automotive manufacturers (Audi, BMW, Daimler Truck, Ford, GM, Honda, International/Navistar, Mercedes-Benz, Stellantis, Subaru of America, Toyota, and Volkswagen). Its core products are the TOP TIER Approved Gasoline and TOP TIER Approved Diesel standards, with the 2026-launched TOP TIER+ family extending coverage to modern Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) and high-pressure common-rail diesel engines. Underlying technology consists of proprietary additive chemistry packages validated through independent ISO 17025 engine dynamometer testing at specified concentrations, addressing detergency, lubricity, fuel stability, and contamination control while prohibiting organometallic additives known to damage emissions aftertreatment.
TOP TIER firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- TOP TIER
- Legal name
- TOP TIER
- Website
- https://toptiergas.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2004
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- TOP TIER is an OEM-sponsored (12 major automakers) voluntary fuel performance standard for gasoline and diesel, licensed by 80+ fuel brands across 100,389+ stations globally and validated through ISO 17025 engine laboratory testing.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
TOP TIER industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Fuel Performance Standards
- NAICS
- Gasoline Stations and Fuel Dealers (457)
- SIC
- Chemicals & Allied Products (2800), Miscellaneous Products Of Petroleum & Coal (2990)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Passenger Vehicle Exhaust & Emissions Control Manufacturing (ICE) (IMACAAAI)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Fuel & Air Induction Systems Manufacturing (Injectors/Carburetion/Intake) (IMACAHAC), Passenger Vehicle Fuel System Manufacturing (ICE) (IMACAAAH)
Keywords
Where TOP TIER is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Midland
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
TOP TIER business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Fuel Marketer Licensing Fees: TOP TIER generates revenue through annual license fees charged to fuel marketers and retailers. The fee is based on the number of service stations owned/operated by each fuel marketer. This is the primary revenue stream that funds program administration, testing, and brand management.
- Promotional Materials Sales: Sale of TOP TIER branded merchandise and promotional materials to licensees including pump decals, curb signs, banners, floor graphics, window clings, hose sliders, and apparel.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | TOP TIER Pump Decals - tiered pricing based on quantity |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Curb Sign 24x36 - $430.00 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Feather Banner 24x80 - from $240.00 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Floor Graphic 20x30 - from $765.00 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Window Cling Large 20x30 - $575.00 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Window Cling Small 8x8 - from $475.00 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Magnet Sign Large 12x20 - $820.00 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Pump Topper 20x12 - from $345.00 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Hose Slider 6x10 - $325.00 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Pump Topper Frame 20x12 - $140.00 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Curb Sign Holder 24x36 - from $210.00 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | TOP TIER+ Pump Topper 20x12 - from $345.00 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | TOP TIER+ Hose Slider 6x10 - $325.00 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Men's Polo - $66.00-$68.20 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Men's Tee - $22.00-$24.25 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Women's Tee - $22.00-$24.25 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Nike Dri-Fit Legacy Cap - $46.25 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Koozie - $3.50 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Keychain - $5.50 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Sticker - $4.50 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Car Safety Tool - $10.00 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Infant Onesie - $20.00 |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels10 records
TOP TIER product offering
Product offeringCore offering
TOP TIER is a fuel performance standard program that licenses its proprietary gasoline and diesel fuel quality specifications to fuel marketers, retailers, and distributors. The program certifies that licensees' fuels contain enhanced levels of deposit-control additives that exceed the minimum EPA detergent requirements, helping reduce engine deposits and improve vehicle performance. The standard is jointly owned and sponsored by major automotive OEMs, and is administered by the Center for Quality Assurance (CQA).
Product overview
TOP TIER is a fuel performance standard developed by leading automotive and heavy-duty equipment manufacturers to improve fuel quality and meet evolving engine technology demands. The core offerings include TOP TIER Approved Gasoline and TOP TIER Approved Diesel fuel programs, with enhanced standards (TOP TIER+) designed for modern Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) and high-pressure common rail diesel engines. The portfolio is supported by the TOP TIER Station Finder mobile app and web directory, along with promotional materials for licensed retailers and consumer merchandise. The program establishes rigorous engine cleanliness performance standards using verified additive chemistry packages at proven concentrations.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- TOP TIER+ Diesel: Enhanced diesel fuel standard with improved wear protection and oxidation stability for fuel system parts, in addition to base-level detergency and cleanliness.
- TOP TIER+ Gasoline
Quantifiable outcome
- TOP TIER Approved Gasoline is 19x cleaner than lower quality gasoline (AAA study)
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use TOP TIER
Customer profileNamed customers37 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
TOP TIER technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
TOP TIER partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship/core and flagship/founding.
- Subaru of AmericacoreJoined TOP TIER as sponsor in 2024, bringing total sponsors to 12 major automotive manufacturers. Subaru recommends TOP TIER for its vehicles.
- Detroit DieselcoreJoined TOP TIER as sponsor in 2017-2018. Detroit Diesel contributes to diesel fuel performance standards for heavy-duty applications.
- Daimler TruckcoreJoined TOP TIER as sponsor in 2017-2018. Daimler Truck contributes to heavy-duty diesel fuel standards and recommendations.
- FordcoreJoined TOP TIER as sponsor in 2016-2017. Ford participates in gasoline and diesel standards development for both automotive and heavy-duty applications.
- Navistar/InternationalcoreJoined TOP TIER as sponsor in 2016-2017. Navistar/International contributes to heavy-duty diesel fuel standards.
- StellantiscoreJoined TOP TIER as sponsor in 2015. Stellantis (formerly FCA) contributes to fuel performance standards development.
- Center for Quality Assurance (CQA)flagship/coreSelected as TOP TIER Program Administrator in 2015. CQA has 20+ years experience in developing, implementing and administering custom licensing programs including quality control and monitoring, product auditing, marketing and more.
- Mercedes-BenzcoreJoined TOP TIER as sponsor in 2013-2014. Mercedes-Benz contributes to diesel and gasoline standards development and recommends TOP TIER for optimal vehicle performance.
- Volkswagen/AudicoreJoined TOP TIER as sponsor in 2013-2014. VW and Audi participate in standard development and recommend TOP TIER fuels.
- General Motors (GM)flagship/foundingFounding sponsor of TOP TIER program (2004). General Motors developed the specification for higher detergency gasoline with support from BMW, Toyota and Honda. GM's Program Manager Veronica Reilly, Senior Engineer GEFL, leads the program vision.
- BMWflagship/foundingFounding OEM sponsor of TOP TIER program (2004). BMW supports the fuel detergency standard development and recommends TOP TIER fuels for optimal engine performance.
- Toyotaflagship/foundingFounding OEM sponsor of TOP TIER program (2004). Toyota participates in standard development and recommends TOP TIER fuels for its vehicles.
- Hondaflagship/foundingFounding OEM sponsor of TOP TIER program (2004). Honda contributes to standard development and recommends TOP TIER fuels for vehicle maintenance.
- SAE InternationalcoreSAE International publishes technical papers related to TOP TIER fuel standards including studies on deposit control additive efficacy in GDI engines and evaluation of gasoline additive packages.
- CEC (Co-ordination Council for the European Community)coreCEC test methods used for TOP TIER Diesel Performance Standard including Internal Diesel Injector Deposit Test CEC F-110-16 and Direct Injection Common Rail Diesel Engine Nozzle Coking Test CEC F-98-08.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
TOP TIER competitors and assessment
Company assessmentOthers
- BASF: Global chemical company with a significant fuel-additives portfolio (gasoline and diesel detergents, lubricity improvers, stabilizers). Comparable because its additives must meet TOP TIER's performance thresholds to be used by licensed retailers.
- Chevron Oronite: Chevron's fuel-additives subsidiary, producing detergent and deposit-control chemistries used in TOP TIER-approved gasoline (including Chevron and Texaco branded fuels). Operates in the same fuel-quality ecosystem.
- Afton Chemical: Major fuel additive manufacturer whose detergent packages are validated to meet TOP TIER performance standards. Operates in the same fuel-performance chemistry ecosystem and sells approved additive packages to fuel marketers who license the TOP TIER standard.
- ASTM International: Global standards organization publishing fuel testing methods (e.g., deposit-control test procedures) referenced by TOP TIER's performance specifications. Operates in the same fuel-standards ecosystem as a methodology and testing-standards authority.
- Infineum: Joint venture between Shell and ExxonMobil focused on fuel and lubricant additives. Its additive packages are validated to meet TOP TIER standards and are sold to fuel marketers globally.
- ILSAC (International Lubricant Standardization and Approval Committee): Industry committee defining performance standards for engine oils, jointly developed with API. Comparable as an OEM-driven performance-standard program in an adjacent automotive-fluid category.
- Lubrizol: Specialty chemicals company (Berkshire Hathaway subsidiary) producing fuel and lubricant additives validated against industry standards. Comparable as a supplier in the TOP TIER additive-approval ecosystem.
- SAE International: Automotive engineering standards body whose technical papers and test procedures support TOP TIER standards development, including GDI deposit-control efficacy studies. Comparable as a peer automotive-standards organization.
Broad incumbents
- American Petroleum Institute (API): Largest U.S. oil and natural gas industry trade association, defining fuel-quality and engine-oil standards (API service categories). Comparable as a broad incumbent in automotive fuel and lubricant standards, though its mandate is much wider than TOP TIER's.
Regional players
- ENEOS: Japan's largest oil company and fuel-additive producer. Comparable as a regional fuel-quality player whose products increasingly align with TOP TIER standards following the 2024 Japan market entry by Costco.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
TOP TIER social profiles
Digital presenceTOP TIER financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
TOP TIER leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
TOP TIER funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
TOP TIER M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about TOP TIER
What does TOP TIER do?
TOP TIER is a fuel performance standard program that licenses its proprietary gasoline and diesel fuel quality specifications to fuel marketers, retailers, and distributors. The program certifies that licensees' fuels contain enhanced levels of deposit-control additives that exceed the minimum EPA detergent requirements, helping reduce engine deposits and improve vehicle performance. The standard is jointly owned and sponsored by major automotive OEMs, and is administered by the Center for Quality Assurance (CQA).
Is TOP TIER a public or private company?
TOP TIER is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was TOP TIER founded?
TOP TIER was founded in 2004. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is TOP TIER based?
TOP TIER is headquartered in Midland, United States, in the North America region.
How does TOP TIER make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Fuel Marketer Licensing Fees are the primary driver. The others are promotional Materials Sales.
Who are TOP TIER's main competitors?
Others on record are BASF, Chevron Oronite, Afton Chemical, ASTM International, Infineum, ILSAC (International Lubricant Standardization and Approval Committee), Lubrizol and SAE International. American Petroleum Institute (API) is listed as a broad incumbent. ENEOS is listed as a regional player.
Does TOP TIER have an API?
No public API is recorded for TOP TIER.
What industry is TOP TIER in?
TOP TIER's product category is Fuel Performance Standards. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMACAAAI, Passenger Vehicle Exhaust & Emissions Control Manufacturing (ICE), with a secondary code of IMACAHAC, Fuel & Air Induction Systems Manufacturing (Injectors/Carburetion/Intake). Its NAICS code is 457 and its SIC code is 2800.