Who Makes Interstate Batteries. In this video I am going to explain who makes the Interstate batteries that are a popular choice for automotive and marine applications. Interstate Batteries is actually one of the largest manufacturers, distributors, and recyclers of lead acid and lithium batteries. The company was originally founded in 1952 by John Searcy in Dallas, Texas as a car battery rebuilder and wholesaler under the name Interstate Auto Parts. Over the next few decades, Interstate focused heavily on branded battery distribution and retail stores, eventually becoming one of the most trusted names in aftermarket batteries. Today, Interstate Batteries has over 200,000 dealer locations across the USA and Canada. Their car, truck, marine, commercial, motorcycle, golf cart, and specialty batteries can be purchased from retailers like auto parts stores, battery specialty shops, RV dealerships, boat/pontoon dealers, golf cart dealers, forklift dealers, and direct from their website InterstateBatteries.com.