Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 80,015	$ 155,368
Accounts receivable, net	553,804	500,375
Inventories	548,459	479,467
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	25,976	21,840
Deferred income taxes	10,368	30,804
Total current assets	1,218,622	1,187,854
Property, plant and equipment, net	633,022	622,975
Other assets:
Goodwill and intangibles, net	150,783	164,039
Deferred income taxes	97,753	174,601
Other noncurrent assets	46,502	45,517
Total other assets	295,038	384,157
Total assets	2,146,682	2,194,986
Current liabilities:
Long-term Line of Credit	61,056	20,014
Current maturities of long-term debt	59,151	3,787
Accounts payable	440,830	390,549
Accrued expenses	293,887	276,809
Total current liabilities	854,924	691,159
Long-term debt	690,215	752,930
Noncurrent retirement obligations	223,748	236,312
Deferred income taxes	14,671	17,158
Other noncurrent liabilities	95,846	95,075
Total liabilities	1,879,404	1,792,634
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 1,000 shares authorized, 0 shares issued and outstanding	0	0
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 200,000 shares authorized, 79,290 and 78,351 shares issued and outstanding	793	783
Additional paid-in capital	1,136,544	1,133,417
Accumulated deficit	(851,729)	(715,913)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(19,200)	(16,493)
Total stockholders' equity attributable to Exide Technologies	266,408	401,794
Noncontrolling interests	870	558
Total stockholders' equity	267,278	402,352
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 2,146,682	$ 2,194,986