Exide Technologies Enters Ford Warranty Reduction Program

    PRINCETON, N.J., Jan. 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --
Exide Technologies (OTC Bulletin Board: EXDTQ) (http://www.exide.com ), a global
leader in stored electrical energy solutions, has entered into a new warranty
reduction program (WRP) with its original equipment customer, Ford Motor
Company.  Ford, which celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2003, developed the
WRP as a sliding scale incentive to reward all of its suppliers who help
reduce warranty expenses.
    Exide is an original equipment supplier of automotive starting batteries
for the Crown Victoria, Econoline, Explorer, F-Series, Grand Marquis,
Mountaineer, Ranger, Sable and Taurus car models.  The Exide Technologies WRP
is designed to reward model-year over model-year improvements in warranty
performance on original equipment batteries it supplies to Ford.
    "The WRP aligns the common objectives of Exide Technologies and Ford to
provide best-in-class customer satisfaction.  And both of our companies have
equity in reducing warranty claims," said Craig H. Muhlhauser, Chairman and
CEO of Exide Technologies.  "The program also will continue to improve
quality, reduce costs and allow Exide to be swifter to market with products
and services that will support Ford in addressing its customer concerns."

    About Exide Technologies:
    Exide Technologies, with operations in 89 countries and fiscal 2002 net
sales of approximately $2.4 billion, is one of the world's largest producers
and recyclers of lead-acid batteries.  The company's three global business
groups - transportation, motive power and network power -- provide a
comprehensive range of stored electrical energy products and services for
industrial and transportation applications.
    Transportation markets include original-equipment and aftermarket
automotive, heavy-duty truck, agricultural and marine applications, and new
technologies for hybrid vehicles and 42-volt automotive applications.
    Industrial markets include network power applications such as
telecommunications systems, fuel-cell load leveling, electric utilities,
railroads, photovoltaic (solar-power related) and uninterruptible power supply
(UPS), and motive-power applications including lift trucks, mining and other
commercial vehicles.
    Further information about Exide, its financial results and other
information is available at http://www.exide.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
that may cause the actual results of the company to be materially different
from any results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.
These are enumerated in further detail in the company's Form 10-K.

    MEDIA CONTACT:
    Jeannine Addams or Kristin Wohlleben
    Tarkenton & Addams, Inc.
    404/231-1132

    INVESTOR CONTACT:
    Mauyra James
    Gavin Anderson & Company
    212/515-1962