Exide Technologies' Unique Orbital Select Technology Chosen for European Diesel-Powered Chrysler Voyager

           First OE Application for Cylindrically Wound Technology

    PRINCETON, N.J., Feb. 5 Exide Technologies
Orbital Select battery has been selected and qualified for production as
DaimlerChrysler's choice for the new diesel-powered Chrysler Voyager minivan
to be produced and marketed in Europe.
    This new technology was selected for this application due to its ability
to deliver the reliable, high-starting power required in diesel applications
and due to the safety features associated with its new valve-regulated sealed
technology.
    The vehicle, which is produced in Graz, Austria, will be equipped with
patented, cylindrically wound Exide Orbital Select batteries manufactured by
Exide in Malpica, Spain.
    According to Tom Minner, President-Transportation Global Business Unit at
Exide Technologies, "The diesel Chrysler Voyager is the first
original-equipment application for the Exide Orbital Select technology, a
battery that employs cylindrically wound cells instead of flat plates and
provides superior deep-cycle performance in high-starting power applications
such as a diesel engine one.  In addition, the electrolyte is immobilized, so
it cannot leak even if the battery case is upside-down or even punctured,
offering the vehicle manufacturer flexibility in locating and mounting the
battery."
    Production begins early this year of Voyager with the Exide Orbital Select
batteries.
    Exide first introduced the Exide Orbital Select, to the replacement
market, in May 1999.  The next year the company introduced marine and
deep-cycle versions of the battery, which, due to its unique design, has a
longer "shelf life," up to 18 months, than standard lead-acid batteries.
    The Exide Orbital Select also provides the primary baseline for Exide's
36/42-volt-system designs presently under development.
    "Due to the increasing use of electronics and the need for better fuel
economy and lower emissions, automakers are moving toward 42-volt electrical
systems, which, in turn, need 36-volt battery power," explained Minner.  "The
Exide Orbital Select, because it can be placed virtually anywhere in a vehicle
and configured in all sorts of unique packages, makes a terrific foundation
for such a system.  Designers can put them in non-traditional locations."
    This flexibility also allows the Exide Orbital Select to be a key
component in Exide Technologies' collaborative efforts with Lear Corporation
to design and produce integrated, modular automotive interior systems.
    Exide Technologies is the global leader in providing electrical energy
storage solutions.  The company has annualized revenues of approximately
$3 billion and has operations in 89 countries, serving the industrial and
transportation markets.
    Industrial applications include network-power batteries for
telecommunications systems, fuel-cell load leveling, electric utilities,
railroads, photovoltaic and other uninterruptible power supply (UPS) markets;
and motive-power batteries for a broad range of equipment uses, including lift
trucks, mining and commercial vehicles.
    Transportation uses include automotive, heavy-duty truck, agricultural,
marine and other batteries, as well as new technologies being developed for
hybrid vehicles and new 42-volt automotive applications.  The company supplies
both aftermarket and original-equipment transportation customers.
    Further information about Exide Technologies, its financial results and
other information can be found at http://www.exideworld.com.

    Certain statements in this press release may constitute forward-looking
statements as defined by the Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  As
such, they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors,
which may cause the actual results of the company to differ materially from
any results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.  These
are enumerated in further detail in the company's Form 10-K.