Has Varta closed down? What it means for Varta car batteries

Updated: · Technical data from the manufacturers' datasheets (how we write our datasheets)

No: Varta car, motorcycle and truck batteries are still being made and sold as normal. They are manufactured and distributed by Clarios, a company independent of VARTA AG, and VARTA Automotive states that developments at VARTA AG do not affect them.

The company in insolvency proceedings since 2026 is VARTA AG, the German group behind button cells, micro batteries and energy storage. Its household batteries division was kept out of the proceedings and carries on as an independent company.

What happened to VARTA AG

  • 2024-2025: VARTA AG went through a court-supervised restructuring in Germany, left the Frankfurt market in March 2025 and passed into the hands of Porsche and the investor Michael Tojner.
  • May 2026: it announced the closure of its Nördlingen plant (Bavaria), which made rechargeable button-cell micro batteries, after losing its largest customer.
  • 24 July 2026: VARTA AG filed for insolvency at the Stuttgart court for the parent company and three subsidiaries: VARTA Microbattery, VARTA Micro Production and VARTA Storage.
  • 1 October 2026: the court formally opened the proceedings. The insolvency administrator is looking for a buyer for the business.
  • October 2026: the household batteries division, VARTA Consumer Batteries, which was expressly excluded from the insolvency, is separated from the group as an independent company and keeps its production in Dischingen (Germany).

In short: "Varta" has not closed. One group, VARTA AG, is in insolvency proceedings with a sale under way; one micro battery plant has closed; and a household batteries division continues on its own.

Varta car batteries belong to Clarios

The VARTA starter battery business was separated from VARTA AG years ago: it was bought by Johnson Controls and, in 2019, became part of Clarios. Today VARTA Automotive is part of Clarios and operates completely independently of VARTA AG.

VARTA Automotive's own website puts it this way: recent developments at Varta AG do not affect VARTA Automotive, and VARTA Automotive batteries are manufactured and distributed by Clarios.

Can I still buy a Varta battery?

Yes. The Varta batteries in our range are VARTA Automotive (Clarios) batteries: car, Start-Stop, motorcycle, truck and leisure. The legal guarantee is provided by the seller under the applicable consumer law (see our terms and conditions of sale), and the manufacturer's warranty is maintained by Clarios.

The most popular: Varta E11, Varta E44, Varta A7 (formerly E39), Varta N70 and Varta D24. If you are not sure which one your car takes, see Varta, Bosch, Exide and Tudor car battery equivalents table or Car battery sizes: L1-L6, LB1-LB5, B and D (Asian) cases. For motorcycles, see Varta motorcycle batteries.

Frequently asked questions

Has Varta gone bust?

VARTA AG, the button-cell and energy storage group, is in insolvency proceedings opened on 1 October 2026 and is looking for a buyer. VARTA car batteries do not belong to VARTA AG but to Clarios, and they are not affected.

Who makes Varta car batteries?

Clarios, which manufactures and distributes VARTA Automotive batteries for cars, commercial vehicles, motorcycles and leisure use. It is a different company from VARTA AG.

Are Varta household batteries still being made?

According to the German press, yes: the household batteries division was kept out of the insolvency and in October 2026 was separated as an independent company, with production in Dischingen. We do not sell household batteries: our range is vehicle and industrial batteries.

Is the warranty on my Varta battery still valid?

Yes. VARTA Automotive states that its supply, service and warranties continue as normal, and the legal guarantee to the buyer is always provided by the seller.

Should I switch to another brand?

There is no need to for this reason. If you would still rather choose another brand, the equivalents table gives you the Exide, Tudor, Fulmen or Deta with the same specs as your Varta.

Sources

Situation as at the update date of this page. We will review it if there is any news.

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