Help ID this ACDelco battery manufacturer/plant

[Gus Grebo]

My car is due for a new battery. (2004 Saturn Ion)
The ACDelco battery that was in it when I bought it did its job and then some. If I'm reading the date code right, it's been in the car about 11 years and still isn't totally spent. It still works but doesn't quite deliver as many amps in the cold weather.

Since this battery has performed so well, I think I'd like to stick with the same thing for its replacement, or as close as I can get.

It's an ACDelco "Professional". Date code is P064R (June 2014?). It has "12-14" written on top in paint marker, so I assume that's the installation date from the shop that put it in.
Can any of you battery wizards tell me who made this battery, and does the same manufacturer still produce batteries for ACD?
Last letter in the date code indicates the plant that made it. Anyone know what/where plant "R" is?
It appears Delco no-longer uses the "Professional" branding. What would be their equivalent line they sell today?

Thanks!

 

[cheech279]

I'd call Delco's toll free number to find out. Also, any battery made by East Penn would be a sensible replacement. Kudos to you for keeping the Saturn on the road for 21 years.

 

[marc1]

What would be their equivalent line they sell today?

This is the equivalent today:

https://parts.gmparts.com/product/acdelco-gold-42-month-warranty-bci-group-75-battery-88861746

 

[Chris142]

Doubtful that a battery made in the same plant today would be even remotely as well built.

 

[Gus Grebo]

This is the equivalent today:

https://parts.gmparts.com/product/acdelco-gold-42-month-warranty-bci-group-75-battery-88861746

The case of the battery you linked to is identical to the one in my car, so they're still using the same manufacturer, whoever it is.
The new one is rated for 700 CCA versus 600 for my old one, but other than that it appears to be the same. In the description, it even says "Some ACDelco Gold parts may have formerly appeared as ACDelco Professional", so that's pretty conclusive.

I'd call Delco's toll free number to find out. Also, any battery made by East Penn would be a sensible replacement. Kudos to you for keeping the Saturn on the road for 21 years.

I called Delco. They weren't able/willing to tell me the manufacturer, but the guy said that both my old 75VPS and the current 75VPG in marc1's link are made in either USA or Mexico.

I've heard good things about East Penn batteries in the past. I won't rule them out.

So, it appears that Deka is East Penn's retail brand. Comparing the Delco to a group 75 Deka, the cases are not the same, so the Delco is not an East Penn.
It looks identical to this EverStart (aside from the slightly larger group size):
https://www.walmart.com/ip/EverStar...attery-Group-Size-78-12-Volt-800-CCA/16782712
Anyone know who makes these?

I'm pretty sure it's not an Exide. It might be a Johnson Controls / Clairos battery. Does JC/Clairos have a house brand or are they strictly private label? I can't find an example of a known JC battery to compare with mine.

 

[Gus Grebo]

Doubtful that a battery made in the same plant today would be even remotely as well built.

I hope you're wrong, but it's possible you're right.

 

[Donald]

East Penn manufactured battery is what I would look for.

 

[Gus Grebo]

I've heard nothing but praise for East Penn's batteries, so I'll likely go that route, especially considering I haven't been able to identify the manufacturer of my current battery.
It also occurred to me that the exceptional longevity of my battery might be more due to the fact that it's trunk-mounted and has been sheltered from the elements its whole life.

 

[f355spider]

Most AC Delco batteries are supplied by Clarios the past 8 or so years.
Clarios has suppliers all over the world, so it is a toss up what you get at any one time.
Most of their flooded batteries are coming from USA or Korea.
AGMs are all over the place...Mexico, China, Korea, Germany or USA.

East Penn are well thought of, but my own experience with two I purchased through Batteries Plus was bad. These were flooded Group 49/H8, and both failed within two years, no longer holding a charge.

I have an AC Delco AGM supplied by Clarios, made in Germany (Varta) that is over 6.5 years old and working fine.
I have also purchased several WalMart/Clarios AGMs made in Korea, all giving good service. Oldest is 2 years old.

Batteries are fickle products...while there are indicators of some brands being superior, they are always an occasional turd in the bunch. (like my experience with East Penn)
If you look at Consumer Reports testing, even the top rated brands in some sizes, will make some consistently poor performing in other sizes. My point is there is no guarantee in whatever you choose, so a good warranty that is supported by the retailer is equally important.
One reason I have leaned toward WalMart more recently...they offer a four year free replacement warranty on their AGM batteries.

Odyssey are highly rated and I found a retailer that warrants them for life (FCP Euro), I am thinking I will go with Odyssey for my BMWs. The retailer gives you a store credit if you replace it with another due to it failing. So I can use the credit on maintenance items or repair parts for my BMWs.

 

[SC Maintenance]

I'm pretty sure it's not an Exide. It might be a Johnson Controls / Clairos battery. Does JC/Clairos have a house brand or are they strictly private label? I can't find an example of a known JC battery to compare with mine.

All the side terminal batteries looked the same to me. Can you even get a side terminal anymore or will you need to use adapters?

Back then it would have just been Johnson Controls - under their parent (they make seats and other stuff). They didn't spin them off as Clarios until a few years ago. Their brands are Varta and Optima. For lead acid its pretty much sold under different brand names.

12 years ago it more than likely would have been Johnson, Exide or East Penn. Exide went under a few years back. JCI spun off to Clarios. East Penn still around.

I wouldn't get too hung up on brand anymore. Its a lead acid battery / race to the bottom.

 

[fozzdesy2001]

East Penn manufactured battery is what I would look for.

Napa Legends are made by East Penn, kinda pricey, but you get a great battery

 

[Donald]

Napa Legends are made by East Penn, kinda pricey, but you get a great battery

Is there all across the US or just East coast?

NAPA has sales if you can plan for a battery change.

NAPA group 35 is $139 to $259. No sales today.

Walmart is $79 to $189.

Assume (but verify) they are all East Penn. (I am on East coast).

Walmart is selling a Anlibatt (brand) AGM for $119 which is a great price for AGM.

Anyone know anything about Anlibatt brand? Appears to be a Chinese company. Still $119 is a great price for a AGM battery