Batteries from South Korea?

[Mike W.]

The wife's E39 touring's battery bit the dust after only 8 years, so time for a new one. I've had really good luck with of all things Walmart batteries, I'd just done the one in my E36 a couple of months ago and it was just shy of 10 years, so that's where I went. Only $200 out the door. Chintzy little handles to lift up what feels like a 70 pound battery instead of a nice beefy one like a couple of months ago. Got it in and I noticed "Made in South Korea" in fine print. Walmarts were Johnson Controls, but I guess that got sold or bought or something. I suppose Korea is better than China, but I can't say it made me happy. Seems like it would be expensive to ship something that heavy but maybe on ships it's volume not weight?

So, anyone know who's making them? Good or bad? Too late for me now, but for future reference.

[Blue Shadow]

Might be a Johnson Controls or whoever bought that company in the last few years. There is discussion of SK Walmart batteries.

I'm looking now and I might be going Chinese based on looking into your question. The Weize batteries seem to be decent and for a couple bucks more than a Costco flooded Interstate which is about 119 for the H6 I can get an agm battery with more juice in it. What with the EV revolution going on in china they might make a decent battery. We'll see if my desire to not buy from china influences my decision. Costco is not far from here.

[Aldo525]

In my country, several brands of batteries come from Korea for a long time and they are some of the best on the market. Some time ago they were from Japan, very good but today they are not seen, others come from Brazil (Bosch) and from China too, but the most reliable and durable (min 7 years) are the Korean ones. I understand that the ACDelco and Motorcraft that come here are Mexican.
In my case, if I had to choose, I would take the Korean option.