iwannadie,
Our Monterrey production facility is in Mexico and we do provide a link to
a video of our plant on our website. I didn't even think of the Monterey in California and I apologize for the confusion. MACH90XJ, while we would prefer that all of our retail partners stock our entire product line, some retailers carry inventory based on seasonal demand and/or past sales history.
OverlandXJ, an eight-year old Optima was built during JCI's ownership of Optima. Unfortunately, some accusations are based on emotion and have no basis in fact, although everyone is welcome to express their own opinion. If someone’s agenda is to bash products or companies that have a global presence rather than only in the USA, that is a choice. Our choice is to focus on product performance, application issues and service based on fact, not opinion. Ultimately, we strive to be proactively involved with and available to our customers to ensure the best product experience possible and that includes a presence on more than a thousand message boards, just like this one.
Most of the folks buying Chryslers with engines (or entire vehicles) made in Mexico are concerned more with quality, than country of origin. That doesn't mean I'm not active on those message boards as well. One of our big initiatives is to cut down on the number of deeply-discharged batteries returned under warranty, which work fine after being properly recharged. That is how 962drrhino picked up his $45 Optima and why my wife's truck now has a used YellowTop. Of all the videos on our YouTube channel, our
parallel charging video has the most views by far, because we're promoting the heck out of it.
This is an industry-wide issue and hiring eCare Managers to help address this problem is not the cheap or easy solution. Other companies have chosen a much cheaper route and this is to simply void the warranty on their batteries, if they are found to be discharged below a specific voltage level. If you are in the habit of deep-cycling a battery, you'll probably want to take a close look at the warranty of the next battery you buy, before making your purchase.
The reality is that most large, successful consumer product manufacturers either contain internationally-sourced components or have international manufacturing capability. This is vital for Optima because we distribute a significant volume of our batteries outside the USA. The decision to place a manufacturing facility in a certain location is based on many factors. For automotive batteries, component and product distribution plays a much larger role in total cost than labor. The Optima manufacturing facility shown in the video uses state of the art, automated processes that are currently producing the best quality product possible. This is proven by indisputable field and internal testing. Our true defect rate is lower today than it has even been.
Anthrax323, playwithit, xcm, I'm glad to hear you are all pleased with your Optimas. Milford Cubicle II, the first four digits of the serial number found on a white, 1”x3” non-spillable label will give you the year and date of your battery's production. For instance, all batteries being built today will start with “1209.” Fully-charged, your BlueTop should measure about 13.0-13.2 volts and if your battery starts squealing (venting) gets hot to the touch (warm is ok) while charging, you should discontinue charging immediately. If you cannot fully-charge the battery at a lower amperage rate without having the battery get hot to the touch or vent, it should probably be recycled.
Jim McIlvaine
eCare Manager, OPTIMA Batteries, Inc.
www.facebook.com/optimabatteries
Member). If you google around for the world's best automotive battery you'll find something spectacular, and expensive. In conspiracy denials, there will be those who will throw flowers in front of your XJ as you pass through broken down villages of lessor battery owning primates. Are your papers unt in order?
