Exide Technologies Announces Election of Mark C. Demetree to Board of Directors

LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J.--March 16, 2005--The Board of Directors of Exide Technologies , a global leader in stored electrical-energy solutions, announced today it has elected Mark C. Demetree, 48, as Director. His appointment follows an earlier announcement by the Company, in its Form 8-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on March 3, 2005, that the Board had voted to expand its membership by two Directors to a total of nine.

Mr. Demetree, who will serve on Exide's Nominating and Governance Committee, is Chairman and CEO of US Salt Holdings, LLC, a producer of inorganic chemicals. He also is non-executive Chairman of the Board of Texas Petrochemical, Inc. (TXPI) and serves as a Director of American Italian Pasta Company , where he is Chairman of the Compensation Committee.

Mr. Demetree is the former President of North American Salt Company and a past President of Trona Railway Company.

About Exide Technologies

Exide Technologies, with operations in 89 countries, is one of the world's largest producers and recyclers of lead-acid batteries. The Company's two global business groups - transportation and industrial energy - 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, 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, including its financial results, are available at www.exide.com.

Forward-Looking Statements