Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Principles of Consolidation The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Exide Technologies and all of its majority owned subsidiaries in which it exercises control. Investments in affiliates of less than a 20% interest are accounted for by the cost method. Investments in 20% to 50% owned companies are accounted for by the equity method. All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated. In fiscal 2012, the Company was apprised of allegations of intentional misstatement of production and inventory entries at the Company's Portugal recycling facility. As a result of the investigation, the Company determined that intentional misstatements of production and inventories were made, which resulted in overstatements of inventory and understatements of cost of sales over a multi-year period. The Company concluded that the amounts necessary to correct these errors were not material to fiscal 2012 full year results, and the Company concluded that the amounts associated with each of the relevant prior fiscal periods impacted were not material. The Company's financial results for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012 included a pre-tax out of period adjustment of $4.6 million for the Transportation Europe and ROW segment. Nature of Operations The Company is one of the largest manufacturers and suppliers of lead-acid batteries for transportation and industrial energy applications in the world. The Company manufactures industrial and transportation batteries in North America, Europe, India, and Australia. The Company’s transportation batteries include starting, lighting and ignition batteries for cars, trucks, off-road vehicles, agricultural and construction vehicles, motorcycles, recreational vehicles, marine, and other applications. The Company markets its transportation batteries to a broad range of retailers and distributors of replacement batteries and automotive original equipment manufacturers (“OEM”). The Company’s industrial batteries consist of motive power batteries, such as those used in forklift trucks and other electric vehicles, and network power batteries used for back-up power applications, such as those used for telecommunication systems. The Company has four reportable business segments: Transportation Americas, Transportation Europe and Rest of World (“ROW”), Industrial Energy Americas, and Industrial Energy Europe and ROW. For a discussion of the Company’s segments, see Note 18. Major Customers and Concentration of Credit The Company has a number of major end-user customers, retail and OEM, both in North America and Europe. No single customer accounted for more than 10% of consolidated net sales during any of the fiscal years presented. Foreign Currency Translation The functional currencies of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries are primarily the respective local currencies. Assets and liabilities of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries and affiliates are translated into U.S. Dollars at the year-end exchange rate, and revenues and expenses are translated at average monthly exchange rates. Translation gains and losses are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) within stockholders’ equity. Foreign currency gains and losses from certain intercompany transactions are also recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). All other foreign currency gains and losses are included in other expense (income), net. Cash Equivalents Cash equivalents consist of highly liquid instruments with maturities at the time of acquisition of three months or less. Cash equivalents are stated at cost, which approximates fair value because of the short-term maturity of these instruments. Allowance for Doubtful Accounts The Company maintains allowances for doubtful accounts for estimated probable losses resulting from the inability of the Company’s customers to make required payments. The Company continues to assess the adequacy of the reserves for doubtful accounts based on the financial condition of the Company’s customers and other external factors that may impact collectability. The majority of the Company’s accounts receivable are due from trade customers. Credit is extended based on an evaluation of the Company’s customers’ financial condition and generally, collateral is not required. Payment terms vary and accounts receivable are stated in the Consolidated Financial Statements at amounts due from customers net of an allowance for doubtful accounts. Accounts outstanding for longer than the payment terms are considered past due. The Company considers a number of factors in determining the allowance for doubtful accounts, including the length of time trade accounts receivable are past due, the customers’ current ability to pay their obligations to the Company, the Company’s previous loss history, and the condition of the general economy and the industry as a whole. The Company writes off accounts receivable when they become uncollectible. The Company’s accounts receivable balance at March 31, 2013 and 2012 reflects an allowance for doubtful accounts of $20.1 million and $20.3 million, respectively. Inventories Inventories, which consist of material, labor and overhead, are stated at the lower of cost or market using the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method. The Company writes down its inventory to estimated net realizable value (when below historical cost) based on assumptions of future demand and market conditions. Property, Plant and Equipment Depreciation is provided on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets. The range of original estimated useful lives is: buildings and improvements, 25-40 years; machinery and equipment, 3-14 years. Cost and accumulated depreciation for property retired or disposed of are removed from the accounts, and any gain or loss on disposal is credited or charged to earnings. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred. Additions, improvements and major renewals are capitalized. Deferred Financing Costs Deferred financing costs are amortized to interest expense over the life of the related debt. Valuation of Long-Lived Assets The Company’s long-lived assets include property, plant and equipment and identified intangible assets. Long-lived assets (other than indefinite lived intangible assets) are depreciated over their estimated useful lives, and are reviewed for impairment whenever changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. Recoverability of asset groups to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of long-lived assets to future undiscounted net cash flows expected to be generated by these asset groups. If such asset groups are considered to be impaired, the impairment recognized is the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset group exceeds the fair value of the asset group. Assets held for sale are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less estimated costs of disposal and are no longer depreciated. Indefinite-lived intangible assets are reviewed for impairment on both an annual basis and whenever changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. The fair value of indefinite-lived intangible assets is based upon the Company’s estimates of future cash flows and other factors including discount rates to determine the fair value of the respective assets. If these long-lived assets or their related assumptions change in the future, the Company may be required to record impairment charges. Sales Returns and Allowances The Company provides for an allowance for product returns and/or allowances. Based upon its manufacturing re-work process, the Company believes that the majority of its product returns are not the result of product defects. The Company recognizes the estimated cost of product returns as a reduction of sales in the period in which the related revenue is recognized. The product return estimates are based upon historical trends and claims experience, and include an assessment of the anticipated lag between the date of sale and claim/return date. Income Taxes The Company accounts for income taxes using the liability method in accounting for deferred taxes. If it is more likely than not that some portion, or all, of a deferred tax asset will not be realized, a valuation allowance is recognized. Revenue Recognition The Company records sales when revenue is earned. Shipping terms are generally FOB shipping point and revenue is recognized when product is shipped to the customer. In limited cases, terms are FOB destination and in these cases, revenue is recognized when product is delivered to the customer’s delivery site. Accounting for Shipping and Handling Costs The Company records shipping and handling costs incurred in cost of sales and records shipping and handling costs billed to customers in net sales. Advertising The Company expenses advertising costs as they are incurred. Net Earnings (Loss) Per Share The Company computes basic earnings (loss) per share by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by diluted weighted average shares outstanding. Potentially dilutive shares include the assumed exercise of stock options and the assumed vesting of restricted stock and stock unit awards (using the treasury stock method) as well as the assumed conversion of the Company’s Floating Rate Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes, if dilutive. The potential dilutive effect of the assumed conversion of convertible debt is determined using the if-converted method, and considers both the impact of incremented common shares after an assumed conversion, and the related addition to net (loss) income of the after-tax interest recognized during the period on the convertible debt. Shares which are contingently issuable under the Company’s prior plan of reorganization have been included as outstanding common shares for purposes of calculating basic earnings (loss) per share. Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could materially differ from those estimates. Recently Issued Accounting Standards In February 2013, the FASB issued an amendment requiring disclosure of obligations resulting from joint and several liability arrangements for which the total amount of the obligation is fixed at the reporting date. This new accounting pronouncement is effective for the Company’s first quarter of fiscal 2014. The Company does not expect the adoption of this standard to result in any material impact to the Company’s consolidated financial statements. In March 2013, the FASB issued an amendment requiring clarification regarding the release of a cumulative translation adjustment into net income when a parent either sells a part or all of its investment in a foreign entity or no longer holds a controlling financial interest in a subsidiary or group of assets within a foreign entity. This new accounting pronouncement is effective for the Company’s first quarter of fiscal 2015. The Company does not expect the adoption of this standard to result in any material impact to the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Principles of Consolidation

The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Exide Technologies and all of its majority owned subsidiaries in which it exercises control. Investments in affiliates of less than a 20% interest are accounted for by the cost method. Investments in 20% to 50% owned companies are accounted for by the equity method. All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated.

In fiscal 2012, the Company was apprised of allegations of intentional misstatement of production and inventory entries at the Company's Portugal recycling facility. As a result of the investigation, the Company determined that intentional misstatements of production and inventories were made, which resulted in overstatements of inventory and understatements of cost of sales over a multi-year period. The Company concluded that the amounts necessary to correct these errors were not material to fiscal 2012 full year results, and the Company concluded that the amounts associated with each of the relevant prior fiscal periods impacted were not material. The Company's financial results for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012 included a pre-tax out of period adjustment of $4.6 million for the Transportation Europe and ROW segment.

Nature of Operations

The Company is one of the largest manufacturers and suppliers of lead-acid batteries for transportation and industrial energy applications in the world. The Company manufactures industrial and transportation batteries in North America, Europe, India, and Australia. The Company’s transportation batteries include starting, lighting and ignition batteries for cars, trucks, off-road vehicles, agricultural and construction vehicles, motorcycles, recreational vehicles, marine, and other applications. The Company markets its transportation batteries to a broad range of retailers and distributors of replacement batteries and automotive original equipment manufacturers (“OEM”).

The Company’s industrial batteries consist of motive power batteries, such as those used in forklift trucks and other electric vehicles, and network power batteries used for back-up power applications, such as those used for telecommunication systems.

The Company has four reportable business segments: Transportation Americas, Transportation Europe and Rest of World (“ROW”), Industrial Energy Americas, and Industrial Energy Europe and ROW. For a discussion of the Company’s segments, see Note 18.

Major Customers and Concentration of Credit

The Company has a number of major end-user customers, retail and OEM, both in North America and Europe. No single customer accounted for more than 10% of consolidated net sales during any of the fiscal years presented.

Foreign Currency Translation

The functional currencies of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries are primarily the respective local currencies. Assets and liabilities of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries and affiliates are translated into U.S. Dollars at the year-end exchange rate, and revenues and expenses are translated at average monthly exchange rates. Translation gains and losses are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) within stockholders’ equity. Foreign currency gains and losses from certain intercompany transactions are also recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). All other foreign currency gains and losses are included in other expense (income), net.

Cash Equivalents

Cash equivalents consist of highly liquid instruments with maturities at the time of acquisition of three months or less. Cash equivalents are stated at cost, which approximates fair value because of the short-term maturity of these instruments.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

The Company maintains allowances for doubtful accounts for estimated probable losses resulting from the inability of the Company’s customers to make required payments. The Company continues to assess the adequacy of the reserves for doubtful accounts based on the financial condition of the Company’s customers and other external factors that may impact collectability. The majority of the Company’s accounts receivable are due from trade customers. Credit is extended based on an evaluation of the Company’s customers’ financial condition and generally, collateral is not required. Payment terms vary and accounts receivable are stated in the Consolidated Financial Statements at amounts due from customers net of an allowance for doubtful accounts. Accounts outstanding for longer than the payment terms are considered past due. The Company considers a number of factors in determining the allowance for doubtful accounts, including the length of time trade accounts receivable are past due, the customers’ current ability to pay their obligations to the Company, the Company’s previous loss history, and the condition of the general economy and the industry as a whole. The Company writes off accounts receivable when they become uncollectible. The Company’s accounts receivable balance at March 31, 2013 and 2012 reflects an allowance for doubtful accounts of $20.1 million and $20.3 million, respectively.

Inventories

Inventories, which consist of material, labor and overhead, are stated at the lower of cost or market using the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method. The Company writes down its inventory to estimated net realizable value (when below historical cost) based on assumptions of future demand and market conditions.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Depreciation is provided on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets. The range of original estimated useful lives is: buildings and improvements, 25-40 years; machinery and equipment, 3-14 years. Cost and accumulated depreciation for property retired or disposed of are removed from the accounts, and any gain or loss on disposal is credited or charged to earnings. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred. Additions, improvements and major renewals are capitalized.

Deferred Financing Costs

Deferred financing costs are amortized to interest expense over the life of the related debt.

Valuation of Long-Lived Assets

The Company’s long-lived assets include property, plant and equipment and identified intangible assets. Long-lived assets (other than indefinite lived intangible assets) are depreciated over their estimated useful lives, and are reviewed for impairment whenever changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. Recoverability of asset groups to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of long-lived assets to future undiscounted net cash flows expected to be generated by these asset groups. If such asset groups are considered to be impaired, the impairment recognized is the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset group exceeds the fair value of the asset group. Assets held for sale are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less estimated costs of disposal and are no longer depreciated. Indefinite-lived intangible assets are reviewed for impairment on both an annual basis and whenever changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. The fair value of indefinite-lived intangible assets is based upon the Company’s estimates of future cash flows and other factors including discount rates to determine the fair value of the respective assets. If these long-lived assets or their related assumptions change in the future, the Company may be required to record impairment charges.

Sales Returns and Allowances

The Company provides for an allowance for product returns and/or allowances. Based upon its manufacturing re-work process, the Company believes that the majority of its product returns are not the result of product defects. The Company recognizes the estimated cost of product returns as a reduction of sales in the period in which the related revenue is recognized. The product return estimates are based upon historical trends and claims experience, and include an assessment of the anticipated lag between the date of sale and claim/return date.

Income Taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes using the liability method in accounting for deferred taxes. If it is more likely than not that some portion, or all, of a deferred tax asset will not be realized, a valuation allowance is recognized.

Revenue Recognition

The Company records sales when revenue is earned. Shipping terms are generally FOB shipping point and revenue is recognized when product is shipped to the customer. In limited cases, terms are FOB destination and in these cases, revenue is recognized when product is delivered to the customer’s delivery site.

Accounting for Shipping and Handling Costs

The Company records shipping and handling costs incurred in cost of sales and records shipping and handling costs billed to customers in net sales.

Advertising

The Company expenses advertising costs as they are incurred.

Net Earnings (Loss) Per Share

The Company computes basic earnings (loss) per share by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by diluted weighted average shares outstanding. Potentially dilutive shares include the assumed exercise of stock options and the assumed vesting of restricted stock and stock unit awards (using the treasury stock method) as well as the assumed conversion of the Company’s Floating Rate Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes, if dilutive. The potential dilutive effect of the assumed conversion of convertible debt is determined using the if-converted method, and considers both the impact of incremented common shares after an assumed conversion, and the related addition to net (loss) income of the after-tax interest recognized during the period on the convertible debt. Shares which are contingently issuable under the Company’s prior plan of reorganization have been included as outstanding common shares for purposes of calculating basic earnings (loss) per share.

Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could materially differ from those estimates.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

In February 2013, the FASB issued an amendment requiring disclosure of obligations resulting from joint and several liability arrangements for which the total amount of the obligation is fixed at the reporting date. This new accounting pronouncement is effective for the Company’s first quarter of fiscal 2014. The Company does not expect the adoption of this standard to result in any material impact to the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In March 2013, the FASB issued an amendment requiring clarification regarding the release of a cumulative translation adjustment into net income when a parent either sells a part or all of its investment in a foreign entity or no longer holds a controlling financial interest in a subsidiary or group of assets within a foreign entity. This new accounting pronouncement is effective for the Company’s first quarter of fiscal 2015. The Company does not expect the adoption of this standard to result in any material impact to the Company’s consolidated financial statements.