Optima Batteries moves to Mexico

[MarkM66]

"CBS4's Rick Sallinger speaks with an employee of the Optima battery factory, located near the intersection of Interstate 70 and Airport Road.

This Thanksgiving is a tough one for 140 employees of a battery production firm in Aurora who learned this week their jobs are going to a new plant in Mexico.

For a decade Optima Batteries has produced its product in the United States, but earlier this year employees were informed a new plant was being constructed in the Mexican city of Cienega de Flores.

"When they built that plant in Mexico, what did they tell you?" CBS4's Rick Sallinger asked one employee.

"That half of the production would stay here and the other half to Mexico."

"And now it's all going to Mexico?" Rick asked. "Yeah," the employee said.

Optima workers in Aurora told CBS4 they were asked to train Mexican employees for the new facility.

The company issued a statement saying "the economy has changed dramatically over the past several months and we find ourselves in a very difficult market." Doors will close on Jan. 31.

No time is a good time to lose your job, but especially not now.

"It kind of puts a damper on it knowing in a couple months you don't have a job (and you'll be) going down to unemployment," one worker said.

A spokesperson for the city of Aurora said the timing is unfortunate and they understand the impact on the employees and their families.

The company is part of a much larger firm called Johnson Controls, which said they will provide support and placement services for the employees in Aurora who are losing their jobs."

http://cbs4denver.com/local/Optima.Batteries.aurora.2.874937.html

[tellyv]

thats why were in this mess our country doesnt build anything any more, sure the stuff is cheaper when its built out of the u.s. but who can afford it if we dont have any jobs.

[Jim Nilsen]

It really sucks to train someone who is taking your job. That is just wrong for a company to do that,ever.

I was glad to hear that Johnson Controls is going to keep them working.
At least they say they are?

With all of the bad complaints about some of their batteries lately I wonder if the quality will go down even more?

I commend Optima for all of the racing support for events that we have offered to us, I never knew that they weren't making enough money to make it. I hope it is not just greed of the bottom line that is taking them below the border. If it is they will find out very quickly like several companies in my town did that it will not save them a dime. Pacific Scientific moved a whole line down to Mexico and even took a few workers with them and it was 6 months into it when they realized that the people of Mexico lead a different style of life and work ethics and don't really have the education or desire to work as hard as the people who move the company thought. The line was moved right back to Rockford and the losses involved in moving cost everyone.
Greed is a bad thing but it still seems fashionable to those that are.
I hope this isn't about greed.

[radrambler]

tely and jim i agree

its sad .....like these people will be able to go find a battery plant around the corner to get new jobs......not
i worked myself out of a job (finished a construction project recently) and it sucks like i cant even say ,trying to replace my income ...so many people out of work from the halt in construction around here that any job is hard to come by.

our wonderful govt is just gonna throw money at large companies and not to the people...keep execs rich and the working (struggling) class just that.
idea
write every legal adult person in this country a check for 1 million dollars it would be less than they have spent already and the economy would rock like nobodies business.......no that would be to easy and why give money to the people then they dont have leverage over some peoples mindset.right!
i know im just angry that we have idoits(politicians) in control of our country and politics is nothing more than organized crime......

tom

[ironworks]

Well if that is the case no more Optima batteries in the cars we build. And you know we have had a like 6 junk new batteries lately. I thought I was the one having bad luck.

Rodger

[DOOM]

Jim to me its all greed IMO!! They site the struggling economy the last few months but yet they have a new building built BOY THEY PUT THAT UP FAST!!!:rolleyes: Im just going to say this... I make every effort I can and my wife to buy USA PRODUCTS ONLY!!!!! Okay I know everythings not made in the US,you can't avoid it !! We really need to wake up!!!! Well Optima more that likely won't be under my hood if I can help it!!:soapbox:

Remember what they say about OPINIONS Mario

[Steve1968LS2]

write every legal adult person in this country a check for 1 million dollars it would be less than they have spent already and the economy would rock like nobodies business.......no that would be to easy and why give money to the people then they dont have leverage over some peoples mindset.right!
i know im just angry that we have idoits(politicians) in control of our country and politics is nothing more than organized crime......

tom

Actually if you go off the presumption that there's about 100 million working adults and you gave out ONE TRILLION dollars I think each person would get $10,000

To give each person a million the govt would have to print up ONE HUNDRED TRILLION dollars.. lol

Just putting the math into perspective :)

[Stuart Adams]

Until our government puts enough taxes on imports to level the playing field we are slowly spiralling downward.

Did you know that Walmart gets a huge percentage of their items from China. If the price of bringing those products here were more equal to us making them, just think how many jobs that alone would create.

[Yenkostyle]

I for one will no longer buy anything from them!

I wonder what this is going to do for them and the military now? Every rig I have driven has had their product in them...I hope this move pushes the military to buy from someone else.

I know I will source elsewhere for my personal use now!

I have found myself pushing to buy made in the USA products as much as possible and have paid more money for US made products instead of saving a buck...Sometimes it is very hard to do.

I don’t know maybe I am a bit old fashion and am still very patriotic and nationalistic at heart?


Happy holidays,

Tony

[Aschle]

I never looked into Optima having problems, just figured I had battery issues. My Yukon has 2 red tops in it, both are junk after 1 year, won't hold a charge enough to light the underhood light after 24 hours ! JUNK! My Camaro has a red top, it dies after about 3-4 days, my 57' has a red top, it dies after about a week. I have checked each vehicle and none have any drain on the electrical system other than the radio preset memory.

I had planned to never buy another Optima battery, this solidifies that !

Jason

[DOOM]

Until our government puts enough taxes on imports to level the playing field we are slowly spiralling downward.

Did you know that Walmart gets a huge percentage of their items from China. If the price of bringing those products here were more equal to us making them, just think how many jobs that alone would create.

NUFF SAID!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:cheers :

[byndbad914]

Actually if you go off the presumption that there's about 100 million working adults and you gave out ONE TRILLION dollars I think each person would get $10,000

To give each person a million the govt would have to print up ONE HUNDRED TRILLION dollars.. lol

Just putting the math into perspective :)
spot on folks! That is something to really think about - talk is that the government will put out around $1T if not more just for bailout bullsh!t, imagine if the dirt bags that are selling this country to each other actually cut every working adult that filed a tax return last year a check for $10K. You think that might stoke the economy??? Would the big three need loans if people could really consider purchasing a new car for instance?!

I have learned to hate this country and that is sad cuz I woulda died for it not too long ago. It pisses me off to think about where this country is and is going as I know vets all the way back to one that was in concentration camps in WWII. I have a hard time not thinking what a waste all of their work was.

sorry, I have just become a bit delusional about the whole thing and this sorta triggered the blast and needed to rant for a minute.

[camaro2nv]

Honestly Ive always had a problem with their batteries. After the 3rd one I gave up.

[DaCajun]

spot on folks! That is something to really think about - talk is that the government will put out around $1T if not more just for bailout bullsh!t, imagine if the dirt bags that are selling this country to each other actually cut every working adult that filed a tax return last year a check for $10K. You think that might stoke the economy??? Would the big three need loans if people could really consider purchasing a new car for instance?!

I have learned to hate this country and that is sad cuz I woulda died for it not too long ago. It pisses me off to think about where this country is and is going as I know vets all the way back to one that was in concentration camps in WWII. I have a hard time not thinking what a waste all of their work was.

sorry, I have just become a bit delusional about the whole thing and this sorta triggered the blast and needed to rant for a minute.

Tim I'm with you on this. All the good people that gave up their lives "in all the past wars and conflicts" to give up this Free country and now today's politicians can't sell us out fast enough. But it's our own fault, If you've ever noticed the Mexicans and blacks never hesitate to collectively come together and march for what they believe in. In a way you have to admire that. Maybe it's time for us to take a stand, all Americans, set a date, not work that day and have well organized peaceful marches thru out our country while it's still ours. It is time to DEMAND this is OUR country and we will not put up with this crap any longer. Cut out all this corporate greed. We all have to feed our families. I have a feeling if this goes on too much longer the day will come where there will not be such a peaceful march but a bloody one.

-Dave

[COYBILT]

I have been done with Optima since a couple years ago.

They make a inferior product, I have had 3 out of 4 batteries go bad in less then a year in different vehicles.

Now they pull a little stunt like that, I hope they fail their ass off.

[R67Chevelle]

Well that tops it. I will never again buy a Optima battery or any other of their products. The problem is poeple do not read history and discern the past. I do my best to buy USA, but it almost to the point that it is almost no longer possible.

What was the Industrial Reveloution about? Why did Henery Ford produce a product and paid his employees enough to purchase his own product?

We are seeing the reverse of the industrial Reveloution. All of this is not by accident, it is by design. I won't get started, but God help us.

Blessings,
:(

[DriverzInc]

Man, it's getting really tough out here for any company to stay a float. I'm sure it wasn't an easy decision. Stay in the US, and go out of business in 6 months, or move to Mexico, stay a float for one more year or two and hope the economy turns around. I'm in no way agreeing with their move, just saying we're not in their shoes and shouldn't pass judgment. On another note, I have also had major problems with my last 3 Optima batteries. To add insult to injury, when I went back to the place of purchase to warranty them, they gave me hell, and I had to fight every time. I'm glad the new West Coast Batteries opened up on the corner, they are the distributor for Odyssey. I hear good things....

Maybe the reason why their bottom line has forced them to move, is because besides all the good product placement and branding, their batteries suck, and only now is the word getting around enough to hinder sales to the point people would rather buy an Odyssey, or a good old Interstate? Just a thought.

[cencal69]

Well that answers part of my question. Which battery is recommended now?

[mazspeed]

Will we get a free bottle of tequila with one purchase of a battery?
Not that I will be buying one anymore.

[z066]

wow. i really thought it was just me having issues with red tops,3 bads in last 2 years,seems like the mexicans are already making them. on the economy i am in the restaurant buisiness have owned my own place for 20 years and have never seen buisiness so off,we all need to stick together and support each other,buy local and wisely, spend when you can and stay out of walmart.imho

[class67]

In Optima's defense...I've got a yellow top in my Camaro right now and have had no issues at all, before that I had a red top, again, no issues. Although, this decision to move production to Mexico does piss me off and I will probably re-think my next battery purchase.

[byndbad914]

Tim I'm with you on this. All the good people that gave up their lives "in all the past wars and conflicts" to give up this Free country and now today's politicians can't sell us out fast enough. But it's our own fault, If you've ever noticed the Mexicans and blacks never hesitate to collectively come together and march for what they believe in. In a way you have to admire that. Maybe it's time for us to take a stand, all Americans, set a date, not work that day and have well organized peaceful marches thru out our country while it's still ours. It is time to DEMAND this is OUR country and we will not put up with this crap any longer. Cut out all this corporate greed. We all have to feed our families. I have a feeling if this goes on too much longer the day will come where there will not be such a peaceful march but a bloody one.

-Dave
we are on the same page for sure. I wonder if people in general care enough yet? I fear we will probably need another Great Depression before people really begin to care. Issue is we don't have real poverty in this country and folks become lackadaisical. The folks that came out of the GD and the generation after valued saving, purchasing within their means v. buying a house at 8-10x annual income, racking up $20K in credit card debt buying luxuries/toys, etc.

that said, I told some co-workers around election time I would really like to see a "null" vote that says "try again jackasses". Ex, if Obama got 33%, McCain got 33% and "try again jackasses" got 34% they had to get us new candidates and the existing Prez (Bush) would remain in office until another could be elected. Then we might actually get a real offering, cuz the last few elections have left a lot to be desired IMHO. I would have gladly marked "try again".

z066 - I had a restaurant for a short period and man that was Hell. I feel for you - it takes sumpin' special that I don't have. I have tried to support "mom and pops" for years now even before I had my place and continue to try to do so. My self-employed friends in various markets (especially aftermarket automotive sales) are really hurting right now.

Back on topic - my red top is about 4 yrs old now in the race car and has been flawless bought it as it was Made in USA and I liked that - I actually live about 20 miles or so from Aurora now. My next one will be the lighter weight Odyssey tho' just for the weight savings mostly but making a statement to Optima is definitely an added bonus.

[BRETT ANDERSON]

Count me out on Optima batteries! There corporate answer is B.S. Johnson Controls is a huge company. This is just another case of outsourcing work to create more profit. I agree with several of the previous postings. I believe that we are selling ourselves out one day at a time and eventually we will complete the biggested transfer of wealth in the history of man-kind. I am a bit of a youngster, but I see clearly. This isn't a political website, so I will not talk about my dream of running for president. I just want to say "I sorry" from all of us Americans who are not supporting each other.
As my mentor once told me, "seek solutions harder than seeking problems."
What are the other alternatives for battery manufacturers and who makes a quality product?

[JohnC]

Ok Guys, so what is the best alternative battery??????????

Since I was going to get an Optima for my project, but I don't think I should anymore...

Thanks

[surreyboy]

so people still suport gm and others who builds cars in mexico and buy gm, but will refuse to buy a 90 dollar battery if its made in mexico?as far as quality the ext escalades are made in mexico and their quality is the same as the ones made in texas.People should stop putting down mexicans and making assumptions about their "work" ethics, and focus on the american companies who are selling out their own people, and the biggest problem, ourselves, we have no issues buying all these products, if we all actually didnt cave in to cheaper prices and bought local products this wouldnt happen. The rest of the world is starting to consume more goods,so our companies will shift to producing goods for them ,not us.

[Steve1968LS2]

so people still suport gm and others who builds cars in mexico and buy gm, but will refuse to buy a 90 dollar battery if its made in mexico?as far as quality the ext escalades are made in mexico and their quality is the same as the ones made in texas.People should stop putting down mexicans and making assumptions about their "work" ethics, and focus on the american companies who are selling out their own people, and the biggest problem, ourselves, we have no issues buying all these products, if we all actually didnt cave in to cheaper prices and bought local products this wouldnt happen. The rest of the world is starting to consume more goods,so our companies will shift to producing goods for them ,not us.

Easy there turbo.. I don't anyone singling out Mexicans.. I think the same complaints would happen no matter where, outside the US, they moved the factory.

Also, GM has factories outside the US but only a percentage of them, not all.

Let's not make this a "race" thing or the padlock will come flying out.

[surreyboy]

turbo? anyways i didnt insert race into this more than anyone else

"If you've ever noticed the Mexicans and blacks never hesitate to collectively come together and march for what they believe in. In a way you have to admire that. Maybe it's time for us to take a stand, all Americans, set a date, not work that day and have well organized peaceful marches thru out our country while it's still ours"

[BRETT ANDERSON]

My .02 cents again. It's not a race thing at all as Steve says. Some concerns are: an inferior product may be built due to lack of training and/or skills, a US company taking advantage of cheap labor/people to maximize profit and still charge top dollar, and work leaving the country to any other country. Obviously the will be some resentment to Mexico, in this case, because the work is going there, but everyone here is pissed at Optima/ Johnson Controls.
It is just sad to see this happening. Think of it this way, we are in a Global Economy now, right? As long as our imports are greater than our exports, we are getting poorer each day. Slowly we will raise others standards of living and ours will decline. Eventually we will be poor and have lost the skill base and craftsmanship that make our country so rich.
We all see it coming and very few are doing anything about it. I guess I should head off to Walmart now and support China.

[JohnC]

so people still suport gm and others who builds cars in mexico and buy gm, but will refuse to buy a 90 dollar battery if its made in mexico?as far as quality the ext escalades are made in mexico and their quality is the same as the ones made in texas.People should stop putting down mexicans and making assumptions about their "work" ethics, and focus on the american companies who are selling out their own people, and the biggest problem, ourselves, we have no issues buying all these products, if we all actually didnt cave in to cheaper prices and bought local products this wouldnt happen. The rest of the world is starting to consume more goods,so our companies will shift to producing goods for them ,not us.

Whoa!
This has nothing to do with race. Myself and others included I think want to try and support our country and keep the money in the country...

I had no intention to relate this to race or quality issues.

[surreyboy]

I didnt say keeping companies here and supporting our own workers is against mexicans.I wish all the products we consume should be made in our own country where possible .I just mentioned that nobody should put down or blame mexico for this.I would love it if everything that used to made elseware was still made here.

[DOOM]

Easy there turbo.. I don't anyone singling out Mexicans.. I think the same complaints would happen no matter where, outside the US, they moved the factory.

Also, GM has factories outside the US but only a percentage of them, not all.

Let's not make this a "race" thing or the padlock will come flying out.

Thank you Steve! I do'nt want this thread locked!! I think we need to do more of this maybe some of these CORPERATIONS will start listening!!!! We as consumers have the power to stop this !!!!!!!!!!!!
Mario

[Steve1968LS2]

turbo? anyways i didnt insert race into this more than anyone else

"If you've ever noticed the Mexicans and blacks never hesitate to collectively come together and march for what they believe in. In a way you have to admire that. Maybe it's time for us to take a stand, all Americans, set a date, not work that day and have well organized peaceful marches thru out our country while it's still ours"

Just don't apply one internet discussion to a whole thread..

And I didn't take that as a statement of those cultures work ethic.. I took it as saying "those groups often come together to take a stand"...

Maybe you need to re-read it?

Now lets ALL keep it civil in here.. :)

[mazspeed]

I don't care what "race" makes my battery, as long as that race makes it here. I think there should be a voice that goes out like Steve, and raise some hell. At no point should an American company go to another country to outsource, or makes American products without American labor period, and if we as consumers don't fight back, we will all lose our jobs. I love my optima battery but I WILL NOT by one if the plant goes to Mexico.

[DOOM]

I don't care what "race" makes my battery, as long as that race makes it here. I think there should be a voice that goes out like Steve, and raise some hell. At no point should an American company go to another country to outsource, or makes American products without American labor period, and if we as consumers don't fight back, we will all lose our jobs. I love my optima battery but I WILL NOT by one if the plant goes to Mexico.

HELL YA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:bow: :thumbsup:

[awr68]

Did the entire plant move or just part of it?

[buickfunnycar.com]

If you want a good battery, buy an A/C Delco. They last as long as there suppose too and longer.

Bingo.My A/C Delco battery in my '69 was in there when I bought the car in 2005,ran it down to almost nothing during the 12-month + restoration process and it's still spinning that 11:1 motor no prob...it just can't be killed.

I wouldn't put a queer-looking yellow or red battery in any car I owned...

[clill]

LOL...Where is that AC Delco battery made ?

[Steve1968LS2]

LOL...Where is that AC Delco battery made ?

From what I understand AC Delco batteries are made by Johnson Controls.. who owns Optima...

Oh the irony.. lol

From what I was able to find out on the net:

For instance AC Delco batteries come standard in all General Motors products. AC Delco makes three grades of batteries. The GM. cars come standard with the middle grade, and they're made in Mexico. The Professional (best) grade Delco batteries are made in the USA.

[awr68]

Well now......................................

[CraigMorrison]

For those asking about a different battery, we have used Odyssey in our last couple projects. Very small in size and some serious cranking amps. Never have had an issue with them going dead either, even when storing cars.

http://www.odysseybatteries.com/batteries.htm

[65 347]

From what I understand AC Delco batteries are made by Johnson Controls.. who owns Optima...

Oh the irony.. lol

From what I was able to find out on the net:

That is the problem,
I run an industrial service company and I see a lot af these products that are manufactured by somebody other than themself. A lot of it is brought in to the U.S. in pieces from other countries and "assembled in the U.S."

[rwhite692]

No doubt that ever-escalating environmental compliance costs were also a factor in the decision to move the remaining manufacturing operations to Mexico, as well.

As for me, on a purely ethical basis, I will take Mexican products over Chinese products, any time.

[buickfunnycar.com]

From what I understand AC Delco batteries are made by Johnson Controls.. who owns Optima...

Oh the irony.. lol

From what I was able to find out on the net:

figures...mine's the pro-series.

[DriverzInc]

I've used Odyssey twice now. Never had a problem, they have an option for a battery hold down (for you trunk re-locating guys) and are smaller with more cranking amps.

[slamdimpala]

Also another option is Kinetik batteries they are small in size and house some serious power. Just another option.