What brands of batteries does Johnson Controls make?
Johnson Controls no longer makes batteries. In 2019, its Power Solutions unit was spun off to form the independent company Clarios, which now markets the former battery brands associated with Johnson Controls. The ACDelco label remains GM’s own brand, and is not produced by Johnson Controls.
The question around Johnson Controls’ battery brands is tied to a corporate reshuffle that reshaped who makes most of the automotive batteries that consumers encounter. This article explains the current landscape and the brands most closely connected to the former Johnson Controls battery business.
The spin-off and who owns the legacy brands today
In 2019, Johnson Controls completed the separation of its automotive-systems battery business, transferring ownership to the newly independent company Clarios. Since then, Clarios has managed a broad portfolio of global battery brands and supply agreements across automotive, industrial, and consumer segments. For consumers and industry watchers, this means the Johnson Controls name is no longer associated with a stand-alone car battery brand in the market; the brands historically mapped to its Power Solutions unit now fall under Clarios or remain with GM under ACDelco.
Global battery brands under Clarios
Clarios operates a diverse lineup of brands that span regions and market segments. The main brands most commonly cited in connection with the former Johnson Controls portfolio include:
- VARTA
- NorthStar
- Delkor
- Optima
These brands illustrate Clarios’ global footprint across consumer automotive batteries (such as those marketed under VARTA and Optima) and regional or specialty lines (like NorthStar and Delkor). Availability and branding can vary by country, and GM’s ACDelco continues to exist separately from Clarios’ lineup.
ACDelco and GM’s battery strategy
ACDelco is General Motors’ in-house aftermarket and original equipment battery brand. It remains GM’s flagship battery brand, produced and marketed under GM’s control. The Johnson Controls name does not appear on GM’s battery offerings, as the battery business has since moved to Clarios and other suppliers as part of the industry-wide restructuring that accompanied the spin-off.
For consumers, the takeaway is that battery branding now reflects a mix of GM’s ACDelco branding and Clarios-backed brands such as VARTA, Optima, NorthStar, and Delkor, depending on the market and supplier relationships.
Summary
Johnson Controls no longer manufactures batteries. Its former Power Solutions business is now Clarios, which owns and markets brands like VARTA, Delkor, NorthStar, and Optima. ACDelco remains GM’s battery brand, independent of Johnson Controls. The contemporary battery landscape is shaped by regional supply chains and corporate restructurings that moved the legacy Johnson Controls portfolio into Clarios and maintained GM’s branding through ACDelco.
Does Johnson Controls make ACDelco batteries?
Most car batteries are made by Exide, Delphi, or Johnson Controls. Each manufacturer provides a variety of battery brands. Delphi manufactures battery brands like ACDelco® and EverStart®, while Exide® makes Champion®, Exide®, and Napa®.
Who bought out Johnson Control batteries?
Brookfield Business Partners LP
Brookfield Business Partners LP has completed its $13.2 billion purchase of Johnson Controls International Inc.'s Power Solutions battery unit and renamed it Clarios.
Does Johnson Controls make Walmart batteries?
Walmart makes Johnson Controls its sole source of automotive, marine, powersport and lawn and garden batteries.
Does Johnson Controls make DieHard batteries?
DieHard battery manufacturing afterward returned to Johnson Controls. The DieHard brand is also used on hand tools, power tools, battery chargers, booster cables, power inverters, alkaline batteries, tires, work boots, and the batteries for Craftsman power tools.
