EverStart Batteries are now considered the top selling automotive battery, having outsold DieHard from Sears. WalMart has been the exclusive agent for EverStart for a while and since they get this brand manufactured by several companies, that strategy doesn’t seem to have affected their sales volumes.
By having multiple manufacturers for their automotive battery product line they are less likely to be held hostage to price levels from just one supplier. In the true WalMart business model, they get their vendors to compete for other areas of their product lines so why not consolidate into one known brand with products from multiple sources. Since WalMart is standing behind the products no matter who manufactured them, the customer can be serviced as needed to retain customer loyalty & generate follow-up battery business from them.
By carrying this brand & getting them built by multiple suppliers they are also better able to meet the demands of their customers for replacement batteries for a broad range of original battery configurations – thereby satisfying the variety in makes & models of all types of vehicles being driven by the WalMart customer base.
As a customer service offering, WalMart employees are able to help the customers determine which model is right for a customers specific vehicle needs. There is a printed catalog at all stores with some having an electronic version for customer self-service.
WalMart is able to install, service, diagnose & maintain your EverStart battery if the particular store in your area also has a Auto Service Center on premises.
WalMart attempts to carry mode common models & some special need items in stock but ordering at the store is also easy if they are out of stock or don’t happen to carry what you need in the store. WalMart is known for its supply chain management capabilities. They can easily find & fulfill your order with their advanced computer systems.
When deciding on buying a WalMart supplied EverStart brand battery for your vehicle & comparing it to other brands you may have had or know about, it is generally true that the EverStart brand will cost less than the other brands. This is WalMart’s claim to fame anyway! It is especially true when comparing process on the higher-end, high performance batteries like DieHard and OPTIMA.
Actual performance levels of EverStart batteries seem to be inconsistent however. Independent consumer reports have stated that the high performance EverStart MAXX has outperformed the DieHard & Interstate batteries. This is a recent change in their comparisons though as in the past the WalMart brand has underperformed the high-end battery lines, having finished near the bottom of their ratings.
It is unclear whether these findings are an anomaly or whether manufacturing standards have been improved so that these results can be expected in the future – we must wait for a couple of more cycles through the consumer reporting agencies tests to make sure the results remain consistent.
Because of the price differentials at WalMart if the EverStart brand continues at these performance levels the consumer will most assuredly be getting the best value out there.
Depending which model of EverStart battery you have purchased, your battery may have been manufactured by Delphi, Exide or Johnson Controls.
Comments
tony w
July 13th, 2009 - 9:52:34 AM
Mine was manufactured in taiwan..ES2OL-BS,an after about 6 months it will not hold a charge.and after trying to return it i now know what the BS is at the end of the model number.YOU NEED TO CHECK OUT THE WARRANTY REAL CAREFUL WHEN YOU BUY AN EVERSTART BATTERY.
1
Charles C
July 17th, 2009 - 9:53:53 AM
We bought a battery from wal-mart manufacturing date of 05/09 and toted it home. The battery leaked acid all over the 2008 Equinox floor board and ate up all the carpet and rusted the floor pan. returned the battery for an exchange and it also leaked before we even got it to the car! None of the batteries were on their side, they were upright just jiggled from the transport. If they can't handle this, then they sure as hel* won't work in a lawn tractor!
2
Harold H
May 2nd, 2011 - 12:43:46 PM
There is a severe quality problem with EverStart batteries. I have returned 4 of the MAXX 24SF within the last year from my 4Runner after they went stone dead with cell problems. I finally got a full refund from the department manager.
3