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Exide Names European CFO

27 April 1999

Exide Names European CFO; Gardhouse Joins Firm From DaimlerChrysler

    READING, Pa., April 27 -- In a move to strengthen its global
management team as it continues to consolidate and integrate its European
operations, Exide Corporation has named Ronald J. Gardhouse
executive vice president and chief financial officer Exide Holding Europe.
Gardhouse, 52,  will join Exide, the world's largest producer of lead-acid
batteries, at the end of the month following retirement after a 24-year
international career with DaimlerChrysler Corporation.
    According to Exide Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Robert
A. Lutz, Gardhouse brings a unique combination of skills and experience.
    "Ron has worked all over the world managing overseas operations for a U.S.
company," explained Lutz.  "He understands how to best assimilate local needs
and concerns into the overall corporate well being.  He also understands the
nuances of communicating from the field and interpreting the messages from the
home office."
    Gardhouse's tenure at the Chrysler side of DaimlerChrysler was primarily
financial and operational in nature, with extensive work in the company's
international operations.  His most recent posting was as vice president Asia
Pacific Operations.
    Reporting to Exide Holding Europe Chairman and CEO Santiago Ramirez in the
European headquarters in Madrid, Gardhouse will be responsible for
administration and customer relations in addition to overall financial control
(and consolidated reporting to Exide CFO James M. Diasio).
    "Ron gives us a truly international perspective," said Ramirez.  "He
understands how different nationalities and cultures interact under the
umbrella of a U.S. corporation."
    Exide Holding Europe consists of a number of subsidiaries grouped under
four main units: Exide Batteries Ltd.(the former BIG) in Great Britain, Tudor
in Spain, CEAC in France and DETA in Germany.  These firms and their
subsidiaries employ some 11,000 in producing and marketing lead-acid and
advanced-technology batteries for the automotive, industrial and specialty
markets.  In addition to sales throughout the region, Exide Europe exports
batteries to more than 50 countries, including the United States.
    Exide began acquiring a European presence in 1994 with the purchase of BIG
and Tudor.  Today it is the largest producer of lead-acid batteries on the
continent.
    Exide Corporation, with operations in 19 countries and approximately
17,000 employees, is one of the world's leading manufacturers of automotive
and industrial lead-acid batteries.  Sales exceeded $2.2 billion in fiscal
year 1998.  Exide has significant additional interest in related technologies
including battery chargers, accessories, starters and alternators.  Further
information about Exide is available at http://www.exideworld.com.