Devaluation keeps battery prices up

Chad Bryan, Gleaner Writer

As a result of the continued devaluation of the Jamaican currency against the benchmark US dollar, battery prices in Jamaica tend to be a bit higher than generally found globally.

"The prices for the batteries comparatively, from a global standpoint, may not be expensive, but what really affects us are the constant changes in our local economy and, of course, the recent Customs changes that happened last year," said sales manager of Tropical Battery Company Limited, Ronald Donaldson.

He ranks the US as the most expensive place for automotive batteries. "Let us use something like the US dollar benchmark. Separate and apart from the shipping and freight cost, technically speaking, America will be the most expensive of the lot," Donaldson said. He added that most automotive batteries come from South Korea, Colombia, Indonesia, and China.

Businessman Ameen Shoucair, who has been long involved in the automotive industry, rated batteries in terms of price and quality. According to Shoucair, the batteries that come from South Korea are a good balance of price and first-class quality, while batteries coming from the United States and Japan are priced higher but still offer good quality.

When used automobiles are brought into the island, there is a tendency for the vehicles' batteries to have no readily identifiable name brand. Donaldson points out that these batteries, when they come directly from the factory with the vehicle, are usually of good quality.

"Typically, when a battery comes from the factory, which is a direct relationship, it is usually pretty good. If the batteries are changed along the way, then you do find that there are hiccups. Generally speaking though, from what I have seen (which is not a lot), these kinds of batteries are usually good," he said.

Donaldson pointed out that the automotive batteries brought into the island by Tropical Battery are usually designed to operate well in the tropical climate.

"For us, we will buy what you call off-the-rack batteries. These batteries are specifically designed for us here. With our partners, we have to make the adjustments as to how the battery is structured, and the actual formulation to make sure the battery is optimum here in Jamaica," Donaldson said.