I'm not sure how many companies make batteries these days, but the
Wal-Mart batteries (at least the one I have) are made by Johnson
Controls, the same company who used to make the Sears Die Hard, a
couple of decades back, when that was one of the best batteries you
could buy. Today's Die Hard batteries are made by Exide (think
Checker, Schuck's, Kragen, etc.). Of course there's no guarantee that
today's Johnson Controls is anything like the old Johnson Controls.

Gary

Date:    Wed, 10 Nov 2010 21:25:45 -0600
From:    John Rodgers <inua@CHARTER.NET>
Subject: Re: Group 41 Battery at Wal-Mart

 I seem to remember reading that virtually all lead/acid batteries sold
in the US today are made by only two or three companies. If that is the
case, most batteries would nearly all be of similar quality, I would
think. Anyone know about this for sure?

John Rodgers
Clayartist and Moldmaker
88'GL VW Bus Driver
Chelsea, AL
Http://www.moldhaus.com