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Its official now. I have worked at Optima Batteries for 11 years. In 2000, Johnson controls bought Optima and immediatly began construction of a plant in mexico. We were told that our U.S. plant could not produce enough product so the plant in mexico would be to supply Europe. Slowly but surely, our product lines began being transferred to mexico. Then the week before Thanksgiving, we were told that the U.S. plant will be closed Jan.24 2009. Just thought you all would like to know.
Was buying a couple batteries at Costco the other day and looked at the Optimas.....and yes, they said "Made in Mexico". I bought the Kirkland batteries, but who know......they might be made in Mexico as well. As long as they work right I don't care if they're making them on the moon.
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2001 F-350 Crew Cab XLT PSD 4x4, Long Bed, 6-speed, 3.73, Manual Transfer, Power TTT Mirrors, 122k miles.
1989 Toyota 4x4 xtracab SR5 V6, Beat to heck with 200k+ miles and still running strong.
I retired and moved out of Aurora 16 years ago. At the time, Aurora and the Denver area were growing like weeds, and jobs were going begging, and housing prices were shooting up. My son still lives in Aurora and runs a retail store in Cherry Creek. He tells me it's still hard to hire good people. So hopefully you won't be long without a job.
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My Sierra Blanca in the sig pic was a great pickup for 11.5 years. I sold it last year. Replacement is a 2012 F-150 EcoBoost SuperCrew Lariat.
Its official now. I have worked at Optima Batteries for 11 years. In 2000, Johnson controls bought Optima and immediatly began construction of a plant in mexico. We were told that our U.S. plant could not produce enough product so the plant in mexico would be to supply Europe. Slowly but surely, our product lines began being transferred to mexico. Then the week before Thanksgiving, we were told that the U.S. plant will be closed Jan.24 2009. Just thought you all would like to know.
I think he was correct and people laughed at him at the time. It took a few years but??????????????
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Too much junk/toys to mention, ever changing due to too getting bored too quickly. I need a 10 step program!
Want to call? I'm in the book. Want to argue....First explain the square root of negative one....lol
I believe that ross perot was right on a lot of things that people laughed at him about at that time. Maybe if he was pres. we would be in the mess we are in today. Just maybe!
Hey Smokey,
Small world. Your right about the housing prices going sky high! There seems to be a pretty good job market here in colorado right now, (by comparison). Alot of manufacturing companies going to mexico, but some are moving in too.
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2002 F-350 DRW CC 4x4, 4" straight exhaust, Superchips microtuned, ccv mod REMOVED, CAUSED MAIN SEAL LEAK!!!, manual TC lockup switch mod, manual EBPV switch mod.
I thought i have seen a decline in performance of my recent optima battery's. I didn't know why either but my own unscientific findings that the new optimas didn't last nearly as long as the originals.
I guess im going to really have to drop the cash on Odyssey batteries if i really want the best battery for the size.
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00'F350 psd CC Drw 2wd Bright Amber Western Hauler, exhaust brake transfer flow 50 gal tank tool, 30K Cody goose neck hitch, hawk pads, cryo'ed rotors, stainless lines, 380,000 miles
02' Psd Excursion Limited ultimate Estate Green 7.3L Auto 2x4 hellwig swaybars and rancho 9000's. 381,000 miles.
1993 F-superduty (F-450) 7.3L Gutless non turbo 2x4 Auto, Tire eating S.O.B. 12,750lbs 80,000miles lincoln Vantage 500 Duetz bolted in the back.
1994 7.3 I.D.I.T. factory turbo, auto 2x4 DRW with lots of upgrades, 11 transmissions under 100K factory warranty. 280,000 miles Currently Cavitated and parked.
96 F-800 24'flat 5.9L cummins, 4spd allison juice brakes.
89 F-800 6.6L 5+2 27,00lbs light weight with National 556A crane behind the cab.
2006 T800 KW 550 C-15 18spd 22K front, 52K rears murray ramps, 195" W.B. CA spec heavy haul SOLD
2006 Murray 16 tire professional lowbed SOLD
1996 fetherlite 4 horse GN, Walton 18' 14K tag tilt equipment trailer.
Yes, it would be ridiculous to put a Mexican made battery in your possibly Mexican-made Ford or Lincoln. Not being snide, just seeing the irony..........
I thought i have seen a decline in performance of my recent optima battery's. I didn't know why either but my own unscientific findings that the new optimas didn't last nearly as long as the originals.
I guess im going to really have to drop the cash on Odyssey batteries if i really want the best battery for the size.
Batteries. We use them in the trucks and they are pretty good.
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Too much junk/toys to mention, ever changing due to too getting bored too quickly. I need a 10 step program!
Want to call? I'm in the book. Want to argue....First explain the square root of negative one....lol
Yes, it would be ridiculous to put a Mexican made battery in your possibly Mexican-made Ford or Lincoln. Not being snide, just seeing the irony..........
Just bought two new Motorcraft batteries for my truck which were manufactured 11-08 in Mexico. Great cranking power!
Also, I have owned smaller yellow top Optimas previously and they did not perform as well as these Motorcraft. Although I liked the maintenance free design of the Optimas much better. More closed hood time. Several others have put the larger yellow top Optimas, which required battery case modications, and they worked out extremely well.
Might mention my truck was also manufactured in Mexico and it has been the best, most trouble free vehicle I have owned. And I have owned quite a few vehicles over my life.
Mike
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2002 2WD XLT CrewCab, 3.73 Limited Slip, Assembled 08-09-01 in Cuautitian, Mexico. BTS Tranny with 6.0L Cooler, KC reverse backup lights with separate on/off dash switch, Undercover Bed Lid, Bilstein shocks, Gentex K-21 auto dimming/temp/compass mirrow, Michelin LTX/MS tires, Factory Aluminum Wheels, Door Seal Mod, Ford Severe Duty AIS w/Zoodad, Royal Purple 75W-140, Fleetrite ELC Coolant, Billet Aluminium Thermostat Housing, Ford Factory Bed Liner, Sylvania Silverstar Ultras.
I thought i have seen a decline in performance of my recent optima battery's. I didn't know why either but my own unscientific findings that the new optimas didn't last nearly as long as the originals.
I guess im going to really have to drop the cash on Odyssey batteries if i really want the best battery for the size.
They appear to run circles around the optimas in power VS size and number of deep cycles. They claim they can do 400 cycles down to 20% power. They also claim the batteries will remain charged in your car or on the rack for 2 years? Holy smoke!
They have one for Harleys and I need a battery so I'm going to give it a try.
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Too much junk/toys to mention, ever changing due to too getting bored too quickly. I need a 10 step program!
Want to call? I'm in the book. Want to argue....First explain the square root of negative one....lol
There is enough Mexicans here to fill 2 factories. Why would they move it to mexico ? O I remember , the greedy White colar Man still screwing this country.
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Just thought you all would like to know.
REMOVED, CAUSED MAIN SEAL LEAK!!!, manual TC lockup switch mod, manual EBPV switch mod.
Linear Mode
