Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 693,438	$ 745,095
Cost of sales	599,183	628,445
Gross profit	94,255	116,650
Selling and administrative expenses	93,685	102,738
Restructuring and Impairments, net	(484)	295
Operating income	1,054	13,617
Interest expense, net	14,100	17,660
Other expense, net	1,610	120
Loss before income taxes	(14,656)	(4,163)
Income tax (benefit) provision	91,812	1,633
Net loss	(106,468)	(5,796)
Net income (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interests	30	(604)
Net loss attributable to Exide Technologies	$ (106,498)	$ (5,192)
Loss per share attributable to Exide Technologies
Basic and diluted	$ (1.38)	$ (0.07)
Weighted average shares
Basic and diluted	77,121	77,518