Super Start batteries are made by East Penn Manufacturing and Clarios, two of the largest automotive battery producers in the United States, exclusively for sale through O’Reilly Auto Parts stores.
Super Start is O’Reilly Auto Parts’ private-label battery brand, known for covering a wide range of vehicles and applications across four product tiers ranging from economy to premium AGM performance.
O’Reilly Automotive, Inc. (Nasdaq: ORLY), headquartered in Springfield, Missouri, does not manufacture any products itself and instead contracts with industry-leading suppliers to produce its Super Start line, a standard practice for large automotive retail chains building private label brands.
Knowing who actually makes Super Start batteries tells buyers whether they are getting a product from a trusted manufacturer or simply an unfamiliar brand dressed in private-label packaging.
This article covers the confirmed manufacturers behind each Super Start tier, the history and capabilities of East Penn and Clarios, how Super Start compares to DieHard, and what buyers should know before purchasing.
So let’s get started.
Table of Contents
Who Makes Super Start Batteries?
O’Reilly Auto Parts sources its Super Start batteries from two manufacturers: East Penn Manufacturing, based in Lyon Station, Pennsylvania, and Clarios LLC, headquartered in Glendale, Wisconsin.
East Penn is the primary confirmed manufacturer of most Super Start flooded lead-acid batteries, while Clarios is the confirmed producer of the Super Start AGM line, as identified through the Safety Data Sheets O’Reilly provides with its batteries.
East Penn Manufacturing operates the largest single-site lead battery production facility in the world and is well known in the industry for supplying private-label batteries to numerous major retailers and auto parts chains under different brand names. Clarios, formerly the Johnson Controls Power Solutions division before being sold to Brookfield Business Partners in 2019 for $13.2 billion, is the world’s largest automotive battery manufacturer, powering one in three vehicles globally and producing over 150 million batteries annually.
O’Reilly does not own or operate any battery manufacturing facilities. Its role is retail distribution and brand management, while the actual manufacturing expertise and production infrastructure comes entirely from East Penn and Clarios.
What Are the Super Start Battery Tiers?
Super Start batteries come in four product tiers, each designed for different performance needs and budgets. The Super Start Economy tier carries a one-year warranty and suits basic transportation needs. The Super Start Premium tier steps up with improved cold cranking amps and a longer warranty, covering the majority of everyday passenger vehicle applications.
The Super Start Extreme is the flooded lead-acid performance tier, built for vehicles operating in demanding conditions. The Super Start Platinum is the top-tier AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat) option, manufactured by Clarios, and is designed for vehicles with heavy electrical loads such as those with start-stop systems, heated seats, and advanced infotainment. The Platinum AGM carries a four-year warranty and has earned strong consumer reviews, with O’Reilly’s most popular Platinum AGM unit achieving a 4.8-star rating across thousands of verified reviews.
AGM batteries command a higher price than standard flooded batteries because they are spill-proof, more vibration resistant, and capable of deeper discharge cycles, making them the correct choice for any modern vehicle that lists AGM as a requirement in its owner’s manual.
Who Is East Penn Manufacturing?
East Penn Manufacturing has been producing batteries since 1946 in Lyon Station, Pennsylvania, where it operates the world’s largest single-location battery manufacturing plant. The company is privately held and produces batteries under its own Deka brand as well as supplying the private-label needs of major retailers and auto parts chains, including Carquest, Duracell automotive, and O’Reilly’s Super Start line.
East Penn is recognized for consistent quality across both its branded and private-label output. Its Lyon Station campus covers millions of square feet and employs thousands of workers in Pennsylvania, making it one of the largest manufacturing employers in the region. The company also runs one of the most efficient battery recycling operations in the country, reclaiming lead from spent batteries for reuse in new production.
Because East Penn supplies many different retail battery brands simultaneously, a Super Start battery and a Carquest battery or a Deka battery may share the same core manufacturing process and materials. The differences between them often come down to the warranty terms and brand-specific quality-assurance requirements the retailer negotiates with East Penn rather than fundamental differences in construction.
Who Is Clarios?
Clarios traces its origins to 1885 with the founding of the Johnson Electric Service Company in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. After decades as Johnson Controls, the battery division was spun off in 2019 as Clarios when Brookfield Business Partners acquired it for $13.2 billion. Clarios now operates more than 50 manufacturing, recycling, and distribution centers worldwide and produces batteries under premium brands including Optima, VARTA, Delkor, and Heliar, in addition to manufacturing private-label batteries for retailers.
Clarios also manufactures DieHard batteries, sold at Advance Auto Parts, and Motorcraft batteries sold at Ford dealerships, among many other private-label and licensed brand relationships. According to Clarios’s official website, the company powers one in three vehicles on the road globally, giving it an unmatched scale advantage in the automotive battery market.
For the Super Start Platinum AGM line, Clarios applies the same manufacturing standards it uses for its premium branded products. Buyers choosing a Super Start Platinum AGM are effectively buying a Clarios-manufactured AGM battery at a competitive price point, backed by O’Reilly’s four-year warranty.
Super Start vs. DieHard: How Do They Compare?
DieHard batteries, sold exclusively at Advance Auto Parts, are also manufactured by Clarios, putting the Super Start Platinum AGM and the DieHard Platinum AGM in the same manufacturer’s production network. Both are Clarios-made AGM batteries sold under different private-label arrangements by competing auto parts retailers.
The practical differences between Super Start and DieHard at equivalent tiers are often minor, reflecting the pricing strategies and warranty terms each retailer negotiates rather than differences in core battery technology. DieHard carries stronger brand recognition from its decades-long association with Sears and has more consumer awareness, while Super Start benefits from O’Reilly’s wide store network and competitive pricing.
For buyers making a decision at the store shelf, the most important factors are matching the correct group size and cold cranking amps to the vehicle’s specification, and choosing the correct chemistry (AGM versus flooded) as required by the vehicle manufacturer. Both DieHard and Super Start deliver reliable products at their respective price points when the correct specification is matched. For more on store-brand battery options, see Who Makes EverStart Batteries and Who Makes DieHard Batteries.
Frequently Asked Questions About Super Start Batteries
Are Super Start batteries good quality?
Yes. Super Start batteries are manufactured by East Penn Manufacturing and Clarios, two of the most respected battery producers in the United States. The Platinum AGM tier in particular earns strong consumer reviews and carries a four-year warranty, making it a competitive option against name-brand alternatives at similar price points.
Where are Super Start batteries sold?
Super Start batteries are sold exclusively through O’Reilly Auto Parts stores and on oreillyauto.com. They are not available at other auto parts retailers, which is standard practice for private-label store brands.
What is the best Super Start battery tier?
For most modern vehicles, the Super Start Platinum AGM is the best option if your vehicle was factory-equipped with an AGM battery. For standard vehicles without start-stop systems or heavy electrical loads, the Super Start Premium or Extreme tiers offer solid performance at a lower price point.
Is Super Start the same as DieHard?
Both Super Start Platinum AGM and DieHard Platinum AGM batteries are manufactured by Clarios, so they share the same production origin. The differences come down to brand name, retailer pricing, and warranty terms rather than fundamental differences in battery technology or construction quality.
I am Jack Neel, a mechanical engineer, researcher, and writer. I created this website to share my knowledge about different brands and products with you. I research the manufacturers behind the brands and provide you with the information you need to make smart buying decisions.