VARTA Automotive Batteries

VARTA is one of the most iconic names in the energy storage industry, with a heritage dating back to 1887 in Germany. Founded by Adolf Müller in Hagen, the brand became a pioneer in battery technology, powering everything from early electric vehicles to the first lunar mission's camera. The brand's automotive division has long been recognized for high-quality SLI (Starting, Lighting, and Ignition) batteries, including advanced AGM and EFB technologies for start-stop vehicles.

Historically, VARTA was a single German conglomerate, but the company was split into different business units in the early 2000s. The automotive battery division was acquired by Johnson Controls, which later spun off its power solutions business as an independent entity. Today, VARTA automotive batteries are manufactured and marketed by Clarios, a global leader in advanced energy storage solutions. Production occurs at numerous high-tech facilities across Europe (including major plants in Germany, Spain, and the Czech Republic), the Americas, and Asia to serve a global market.

While the original VARTA AG remains a separate German company focusing on microbatteries and household energy storage, the automotive brand is firmly under the ownership of Clarios. Headquartered in the United States, Clarios is backed by Brookfield Business Partners. This complex history ensures that while the brand retains its German engineering roots and prestige, its operational and financial structure is truly global.