Exide Technologies (XIDEQ) 10-K 31 Jul 14 2014 FY Annual report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Jun. 02, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'EXIDE TECHNOLOGIES	'	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000813781	'	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--03-31	'	'
Entity Filer Category	'Non-accelerated Filer	'	'
Document Type	'10-K	'	'
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-14	'	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'FY	'	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	79,078,088	'
Entity Current Reporting Status	'Yes	'	'
Entity Voluntary Filers	'No	'	'
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	'No	'	'
Entity Public Float	'	'	$29,348,295

Consolidated_Statements_of_Ope

Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Income Statement [Abstract]	'	'	'
Net sales	$2,855,433	$2,971,698	$3,084,650
Cost of sales	2,470,973	2,564,403	2,599,822
Gross profit	384,460	407,295	484,828
Selling and administrative expenses	365,483	389,161	395,075
Restructuring and impairments, net	27,989	71,495	10,878
Operating income (loss)	-9,012	-53,361	78,875
Other (income) expense, net	-5,471	2,527	5,111
Interest expense, net	114,442	65,635	71,804
Income (loss) before reorganization items, net	-117,983	-121,523	1,960
Reorganization items, net	93,589	1,653	1,209
Income (loss) before income taxes	-211,572	-123,176	751
Income tax provision (benefit)	6,158	99,915	-55,203
Net income (loss)	-217,730	-223,091	55,954
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	80	308	-785
Net income (loss) attributable to Exide Technologies	($217,810)	($223,399)	$56,739
Earnings (loss) per share	'	'	'
Basic (in dollars per share)	($2.80)	($2.89)	$0.73
Diluted (in dollars per share)	($2.80)	($2.89)	$0.69
Weighted average shares	'	'	'
Basic (in shares)	77,925	77,270	77,667
Diluted (in shares)	77,925	77,270	82,081

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'	'	'
Net income (loss)	($217,730)	($223,091)	$55,954
Other comprehensive (loss) income:	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustment	23,745	-17,359	-22,420
Gain (loss) on derivatives qualifying as hedges, net	0	127	-117
Change in defined benefit liabilities, net	12,245	-13,719	-43,050
Total comprehensive loss	-181,740	-254,042	-9,633
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	80	302	-339
Comprehensive loss attributable to Exide Technologies	($181,820)	($254,344)	($9,294)

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$103,711	$104,289
Accounts receivable, net	495,447	504,795
Inventories	483,218	488,221
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	47,874	33,316
Deferred income taxes	16,339	11,470
Total current assets	1,146,589	1,142,091
Property, plant and equipment, net	576,412	558,115
Other assets:	'	'
Goodwill and intangibles, net	142,381	145,310
Deferred income taxes	116,736	107,865
Other noncurrent assets	50,670	51,049
Total other assets	309,787	304,224
Total assets	2,032,788	2,004,430
Current liabilities:	'	'
Short-term borrowings	4,058	22,017
Current maturities of long-term debt	288,386	60,131
Accounts payable	268,828	435,736
Accrued expenses	263,904	281,432
Deferred income taxes	4,435	8,721
Total current liabilities	829,611	808,037
Long-term debt	15,533	693,864
Noncurrent retirement obligations	166,692	233,404
Deferred income taxes	25,332	17,171
Other noncurrent liabilities	64,493	98,022
Liabilities not subject to compromise	1,101,661	1,850,498
Liabilities subject to compromise	950,643	0
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)	'	'
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 1,000 shares authorized, 0 shares issued and outstanding	0	0
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 200,000 shares authorized, 79,083 and 79,253 shares issued and outstanding	791	793
Additional paid-in capital	1,139,850	1,139,030
Accumulated deficit	-1,157,124	-939,312
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-11,449	-47,439
Total stockholders’ equity (deficit) attributable to Exide Technologies	-27,932	153,072
Noncontrolling interests	8,416	860
Total stockholders’ equity (deficit)	-19,516	153,932
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity (deficit)	$2,032,788	$2,004,430

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]	'	'
Preferred stock, par value	$0.01	$0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized	1,000	1,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	0
Common stock, par value	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	200,000	200,000
Common stock, shares issued	79,083	79,253
Common stock, shares outstanding	79,083	79,253

Consolidated_Statements_of_Sto

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (Deficit) (USD $)	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Accumulated Deficit	Defined Benefit Plans	Derivatives Qualifying as Hedges	Cumulative Translation Adjustment	Non- controlling Interest
In Thousands
Beginning Balance at Mar. 31, 2011	'	$775	$1,127,124	($772,652)	($26,893)	($10)	$76,443	$1,102
Net income (loss)	56,739	'	'	56,739	'	'	'	-785
Defined benefit plans, net of tax	-43,050	'	'	'	-43,050	'	'	'
Translation adjustment	-22,420	'	'	'	'	'	-22,866	446
Net recognition of unrealized loss on derivatives, net of tax	'	'	'	'	'	-117	'	'
Common stock issuance/other	'	8	1,141	'	'	'	'	-205
Stock compensation	'	'	5,152	'	'	'	'	'
Ending Balance at Mar. 31, 2012	'	783	1,133,417	-715,913	-69,943	-127	53,577	558
Net income (loss)	-223,399	'	'	-223,399	'	'	'	308
Defined benefit plans, net of tax	-13,719	'	'	'	-13,719	'	'	'
Translation adjustment	-17,359	'	'	'	'	'	-17,354	-5
Net recognition of unrealized loss on derivatives, net of tax	'	'	'	'	'	127	'	'
Common stock issuance/other	'	10	-11	'	'	'	'	-1
Stock compensation	'	'	5,624	'	'	'	'	'
Ending Balance at Mar. 31, 2013	153,932	793	1,139,030	-939,312	-83,662	0	36,223	860
Net income (loss)	-217,810	'	'	-217,810	'	'	'	80
Defined benefit plans, net of tax	12,245	'	'	'	12,245	'	'	'
Translation adjustment	23,745	'	'	'	'	'	23,745	'
Common stock issuance/other	'	-2	-769	-2	'	'	'	7,476
Stock compensation	'	'	1,589	'	'	'	'	'
Ending Balance at Mar. 31, 2014	($19,516)	$791	$1,139,850	($1,157,124)	($71,417)	$0	$59,968	$8,416

Consolidated_Statements_of_Sto1

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (Deficit) (Parentheticals) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Defined Benefit Plans	'	'	'
Tax on defined benefit plans	$788	$2,436	$15,472
Derivatives Qualifying as Hedges	'	'	'
Net recognition of unrealized loss on derivatives	'	$49	($49)

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014		Mar. 31, 2013		Mar. 31, 2012
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:	'		'		'
Net income (loss)	($217,730)		($223,091)		$55,954
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	'		'		'
Depreciation and amortization	81,280		80,187		84,353
Unrealized gain on warrants	0		0		-68
Loss on asset sales / impairments, net	2,946		60,152		3,773
Non-cash reorganization items	12,301		0		0
Deferred income taxes	-1,987		93,178		-77,913
Provision for doubtful accounts	1,270		1,284		1,529
Non-cash stock compensation	1,589		5,624		5,152
Amortization of deferred financing costs	25,694		4,266		4,289
Currency remeasurement (gain) loss	-4,321	[1]	2,883	[1]	10,036	[1]
Changes in assets and liabilities	'		'		'
Receivables	28,665		-1,655		-9,899
Inventories	22,057		-33,644		20,025
Other current assets	-17,285		-2,144		866
Payables	-110,043		57,375		-9,099
Accrued expenses	48,643		12,812		13,131
Other noncurrent liabilities	-23,003		-26,193		-25,236
Other, net	-4,687		-3,017		14,875
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	-154,611		28,017		91,768
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:	'		'		'
Capital expenditures	-81,769		-101,501		-109,836
Insurance proceeds	4,432		3,290		0
Proceeds from asset sales	5,176		18,965		635
Net cash used in investing activities	-72,161		-79,246		-109,201
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:	'		'		'
Increase (decrease) in short-term borrowings	-16,000		2,965		12,408
Increase in other debt	269,664		0		5,409
Financing fees and other	-30,542		-1,505		-544
Net cash provided by financing activities	223,122		1,460		17,273
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	3,072		-1,310		-5,835
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	-578		-51,079		-5,995
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	104,289		155,368		161,363
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	103,711		104,289		155,368
Cash paid during the period:	'		'		'
Interest	27,912		68,872		69,194
Income taxes (net of refunds)	$10,169		$10,452		$23,907
[1]	The currency remeasurement gain relates primarily to intercompany loans to foreign subsidiaries denominated in the Belarus Ruble, the Euro, and the Australian dollar.

Basis_of_Presentation_and_Summ

Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	'
	BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
	Principles of Consolidation
	The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Exide Technologies and all of its majority owned subsidiaries in which it exercises control. Investments in affiliates of less than a 20.0% interest are generally accounted for by the cost method. Investments in 20.0% to 50.0% owned companies are generally accounted for by the equity method. All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated.
	In fiscal 2012, the Company was apprised of allegations of intentional misstatement of production and inventory entries at the Company's Portugal recycling facility. As a result of the investigation, the Company determined that intentional misstatements of production and inventories were made, which resulted in overstatements of inventory and understatements of cost of sales over a multi-year period. The Company concluded that the amounts necessary to correct these errors were not material to fiscal 2012 full year results, and the Company concluded that the amounts associated with each of the relevant prior fiscal periods impacted were not material. The Company's financial results for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012 included a pre-tax out of period adjustment of $4.6 million for the Transportation Europe and ROW segment.
	Nature of Operations
	The Company is one of the largest manufacturers and suppliers of lead-acid batteries for transportation and industrial energy applications in the world. The Company manufactures industrial and transportation batteries in the Americas, Europe, India, and Australia. The Company’s transportation batteries include starting, lighting and ignition batteries for cars, trucks, off-road vehicles, agricultural and construction vehicles, motorcycles, recreational vehicles, marine, and other applications. The Company markets its transportation batteries to a broad range of retailers and distributors of replacement batteries and automotive OEM.
	The Company’s industrial batteries consist of Motive Power batteries, such as those used in forklift trucks and other electric vehicles, and Network Power batteries used for back-up power applications, such as those used for telecommunication systems.
	The Company has four reportable business segments: Transportation Americas, Transportation Europe and Rest of World (“ROW”), Industrial Energy Americas, and Industrial Energy Europe and ROW. For a discussion of the Company’s segments, see Note 21 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
	Major Customers and Concentration of Credit
	The Company has a number of major end-user customers, retail and OEM, both in the Americas and Europe. No single customer accounted for more than 10.0% of consolidated net sales during any of the fiscal years presented.
	Foreign Currency Translation
	The functional currencies of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries are primarily the respective local currencies. Assets and liabilities of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries and affiliates are translated into U.S. Dollars at the year-end exchange rate, and revenues and expenses are translated at average monthly exchange rates. Translation gains and losses are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) within stockholders’ equity. Foreign currency gains and losses from certain intercompany transactions are also recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). All other foreign currency gains and losses are included in other expense (income), net.
	Cash Equivalents
	Cash equivalents consist of highly liquid instruments with maturities at the time of acquisition of three months or less. Cash equivalents are stated at cost, which approximates fair value because of the short-term maturity of these instruments.
	Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
	The Company maintains allowances for doubtful accounts for estimated probable losses resulting from the inability of the Company’s customers to make required payments. The Company continues to assess the adequacy of the reserves for doubtful accounts based on the financial condition of the Company’s customers and other external factors that may impact collectibility. The majority of the Company’s accounts receivable are due from trade customers. Credit is extended based on an evaluation of the Company’s customers’ financial condition and generally, collateral is not required. Payment terms vary and accounts receivable are stated in the Consolidated Financial Statements at amounts due from customers net of an allowance for doubtful accounts. Accounts outstanding for longer than the payment terms are considered past due. The Company considers a number of factors in determining the allowance for doubtful accounts, including the length of time trade accounts receivable are past due, the customers’ current ability to pay their obligations to the Company, the Company’s previous loss history, and the condition of the general economy and the industry as a whole. The Company writes off accounts receivable when they become uncollectible. The Company’s accounts receivable balance at March 31, 2014 and 2013 reflects an allowance for doubtful accounts of $19.5 million and $20.1 million, respectively.
	Inventories
	Inventories, which consist of material, labor and overhead, are stated at the lower of cost or market using the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method. The Company writes down its inventory to estimated net realizable value (when below historical cost) based on assumptions of future demand and market conditions.
	Property, Plant and Equipment
	Depreciation is provided on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets. The range of original estimated useful lives is: buildings and improvements, 25-40 years; machinery and equipment, 3-14 years. Cost and accumulated depreciation for property retired or disposed of are removed from the accounts, and any gain or loss on disposal is credited or charged to earnings. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred. Additions, improvements and major renewals are capitalized.
	Deferred Financing Costs
	Deferred financing costs are amortized to interest expense over the life of the related debt.
	Valuation of Long-Lived Assets
	The Company’s long-lived assets include property, plant and equipment and identified intangible assets. Long-lived assets (other than indefinite lived intangible assets) are depreciated over their estimated useful lives, and are reviewed for impairment whenever changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. Recoverability of asset groups to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of long-lived assets to future undiscounted net cash flows expected to be generated by these asset groups. If such asset groups are considered to be impaired, the impairment recognized is the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset group exceeds the fair value of the asset group. Assets held for sale are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less estimated costs of disposal and are no longer depreciated. Indefinite-lived intangible assets are reviewed for impairment on both an annual basis and whenever changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. The fair value of indefinite-lived intangible assets is based upon the Company’s estimates of future cash flows and other factors including discount rates to determine the fair value of the respective assets. If these long-lived assets or their related assumptions change in the future, the Company may be required to record impairment charges.
	Sales Returns and Allowances
	The Company provides for an allowance for product returns and/or allowances. Based upon its manufacturing re-work process, the Company believes that the majority of its product returns are not the result of product defects. The Company recognizes the estimated cost of product returns as a reduction of sales in the period in which the related revenue is recognized. The product return estimates are based upon historical trends and claims experience, and include an assessment of the anticipated lag between the date of sale and claim/return date.
	Income Taxes
	The Company accounts for income taxes using the liability method in accounting for deferred taxes. If it is more likely than not that some portion, or all, of a deferred tax asset will not be realized, a valuation allowance is recognized.
	Revenue Recognition
	The Company records sales when revenue is earned. Shipping terms are generally FOB shipping point and revenue is recognized when product is shipped to the customer. In limited cases, terms are FOB destination and in these cases, revenue is recognized when product is delivered to the customer’s delivery site.
	Accounting for Shipping and Handling Costs
	The Company records shipping and handling costs incurred in cost of sales and records shipping and handling costs billed to customers in net sales.
	Advertising
	The Company expenses advertising costs as they are incurred.
	Net Earnings (Loss) Per Share
	The Company computes basic earnings (loss) per share by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings (loss) per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) by diluted weighted average shares outstanding. Potentially dilutive shares include the assumed exercise of stock options and the assumed vesting of restricted stock and stock unit awards (using the treasury stock method) as well as the assumed conversion of the Company’s floating rate Convertible Notes, if dilutive. The potential dilutive effect of the assumed conversion of convertible debt is determined using the if-converted method, and considers both the impact of incremented common shares after an assumed conversion, and the related addition to net income (loss) of the after-tax interest recognized during the period on the convertible debt.
	Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Consolidated Financial Statements
	The preparation of Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the Consolidated Financial Statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could materially differ from those estimates.
	Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
	In March 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-05, Foreign Currency Matters (Topic 830): Parent's Accounting for the Cumulative Translation Adjustment upon Derecognition of Certain Subsidiaries or Groups of Assets within a Foreign Entity or of an Investment in a Foreign Entity. The amendments in this update provide clarification regarding the release of a cumulative translation adjustment into net income when a parent either sells a part or all of its investment in a foreign entity or no longer holds a controlling financial interest in a subsidiary or group of assets within a foreign entity. The guidance will be effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2014, and interim periods within those annual periods. The guidance will be applied prospectively. We will adopt this standard in our first quarter ending June 30, 2015.  We do not expect the standard to have a material impact on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.
	In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-11, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists. The amendments in this update provide guidance on the presentation of unrecognized tax benefits and will better reflect the manner in which an entity would settle, at the reporting date, any additional income taxes that would result from the disallowance of a tax position when net operating loss carryforwards, similar tax losses, or tax credit carryforwards exist. The guidance will be effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2013, and interim periods within those annual periods. The guidance will be applied prospectively. We will adopt this standard in our first quarter ending June 30, 2014. We do not expect the standard to have a material impact on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.

Proceedings_Under_Chapter_11_o

Proceedings Under Chapter 11 of The Bankruptcy Code	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Reorganizations [Abstract]	'
PROCEEDINGS UNDER CHAPTER 11 OF THE BANKRUPTCY CODE	'
	PROCEEDINGS UNDER CHAPTER 11 OF THE BANKRUPTCY CODE
	Reorganization under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code
	The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Exide Technologies (referred to together with its subsidiaries, unless the context requires otherwise, as "Exide" or the "Company") and all of its majority-owned subsidiaries. Unless otherwise indicated or unless the context otherwise requires, references to "fiscal year" refer to the period ended March 31 of that year (e.g. "fiscal 2014" refers to the period beginning April 1, 2013 and ending March 31, 2014).
	On June 10, 2013, Exide Technologies filed a voluntary petition for relief under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code, in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware under the caption In re Exide Technologies, case number 13-11482. The Company's subsidiaries, foreign and domestic, have been excluded from the Chapter 11 Case, continue to operate their businesses without supervision from the Bankruptcy Court, and are not subject to the requirements of the Bankruptcy Code.
	The Company filed for reorganization under Chapter 11 as it offered the most efficient alternative to restructure the Company's balance sheet and access new working capital while continuing to operate in the ordinary course of business. Factors leading to the reorganization included the Company's significant debt burden, the adverse impact of economic conditions on the Company's markets, particularly the U.S. and European markets, ongoing competitive pressures, loss of key customers over several years, the unplanned production shut down of one of the Company's facilities, and higher commodity costs including lead and purchased spent batteries. These factors contributed to higher costs and lower revenues and have resulted in significant operating losses and material adverse reductions in cash flows, severely affecting the Company's financial condition and its ability to make debt payments coming due. Downgrades of the Company's credit rating and loss of credit insurance used by certain suppliers adversely affected supplier trade credit terms, further affecting the Company's liquidity.
	Exide is currently operating as a debtor-in-possession under the jurisdiction of the Bankruptcy Court and the applicable provisions of the Bankruptcy Code. In general, as a debtor-in-possession, Exide is authorized to continue to operate as an ongoing business but may not engage in transactions outside the ordinary course of business without the prior approval of the Bankruptcy Court.
	Exide received Bankruptcy Court approval for, among other things, access to a $500.0 million debtor-in-possession financing facility ("DIP Credit Facility") on the terms set forth in the Amended and Restated Superpriority Debtor-in-Possession Credit Agreement ("DIP Credit Agreement"), the ability to pay pre-petition and post-petition employee wages, salaries and benefits, and to honor customer warranty, sales returns and rebate obligations. Subsequent to the Petition Date, the Company received approval from the Bankruptcy Court to pay or otherwise honor certain pre-petition obligations generally designed to stabilize the Company's operations including employee obligations, taxes, and from limited available funds, pre-petition claims of certain critical vendors, certain customer programs, limited foreign supplier obligations, adequate protection payments, and certain other pre-petition claims. Additionally, the Company has been paying and intends to continue to pay undisputed post-petition obligations in the ordinary course of business.
	The DIP Credit Agreement is used to supplement cash flows from operations during the reorganization process including the payment of post-petition ordinary course trade and other payables, the payment of certain permitted pre-petition claims, working capital needs, letter of credit requirements, and other general corporate purposes. The DIP Credit Facility contains certain financial covenants. Failure to maintain compliance with these covenants would result in an event of default which would restrict the availability of funds necessary to maintain the Company's operations and assist in funding the Company's reorganization plans.
	The Chapter 11 petition triggered defaults on substantially all debt obligations of the Company and, as a result, the Company's Senior Secured Notes and Convertible Notes have been accelerated and are due and payable. Under Section 362 of the Bankruptcy Code, actions to collect pre-petition indebtedness, as well as most other pending litigation, are stayed. Absent an order of the Bankruptcy Court, substantially all pre-petition liabilities are subject to settlement under a plan of reorganization approved by the Bankruptcy Court. There can be no assurance that a plan will be proposed by the Company or confirmed by the Bankruptcy Court or that any such plan will be successfully implemented.
	On August 9, 2013, the Company filed with the Bankruptcy Court schedules and statements of financial affairs setting forth, among other things, the assets and liabilities of the Company as shown by the Company's books and records on the petition date, subject to the assumptions contained in certain notes filed in connection therewith. The schedules and statements of financial affairs are subject to further amendment or modification. On September 13, 2013, the Bankruptcy Court entered an order which, among other things, established October 31, 2013, as the general bar date for filing claims and December 9, 2013 as the bar date for claims by certain governmental authorities. The claims bar date order was supplemented by a further order on October 24, 2013 extending the bar date to January 31, 2014 solely with respect to personal injury claims related to the Company's secondary lead recycling facility in Vernon, California. As the distribution to holders of allowed claims will likely be addressed by a plan of reorganization that has not yet been filed, the amount of distribution with respect to allowed claims is not presently ascertainable.
	At this time it is not possible to predict the ultimate effect of the Chapter 11 reorganization on our business, various creditors and security holders, or when it may be possible to emerge from Chapter 11. The Company believes that under any reorganization plan the Company's common stock would likely be substantially diluted or canceled in its entirety. Accordingly, the Company urges that caution be exercised with respect to existing and future investments in any of these securities or other Company claims. In addition, the Company's common stock has been delisted from trading on the Nasdaq Stock Market ("NASDAQ"). Further, it is also expected that the Company's Senior Secured Notes and Convertible Notes will suffer substantial impairment.
	The Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which assumes continuity of operations and realization of assets and satisfaction of liabilities in the ordinary course of business. The ability of the Company to continue as a going concern is predicated upon, among other things, the confirmation of a reorganization plan, compliance with the provisions of the DIP Credit Agreement, the ability of the Company to generate cash flows from operations, and where necessary, obtaining financing sources sufficient to satisfy future obligations. As a result of the Chapter 11 filing, and consideration of various strategic alternatives, including possible assets sales, the Company expects that any reorganization plan will likely result in material changes to the carrying amount of assets and liabilities in the Consolidated Financial Statements. Given this uncertainty there is substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern.
	The Consolidated Financial Statements do not include adjustments, if any, to reflect the possible future effects on the recoverability and classification of recorded assets or the amounts and classifications of liabilities that may result from the outcome of these uncertainties.
	Reorganization Costs:
	Reorganization items included in the Consolidated Financial Statements included costs directly related to the Chapter 11 proceedings, as follows:
		For the Twelve Months Ended
		31-Mar-14
		(In thousands)
	Professional fees	$	77,889
	Write off debt financing costs/other	12,301
	Other direct costs	3,399
		$	93,589
	Liabilities Subject To Compromise:
	The amounts of the various liabilities that are subject to compromise are set forth below. These amounts represent the Company's estimate of known or potential pre-petition claims to be resolved in connection with the Chapter 11 proceedings. Such claims remain subject to future adjustments which may result from: (i) negotiations; (ii) actions of the Bankruptcy Court; (iii) disputed claims; (iv) rejection of executory contracts and unexpired leases; (v) the determination as to the value of any collateral securing claims; (vi) proofs of claim; or (vii) other events. Such future adjustments will likely be material. Liabilities subject to compromise include the following:
		31-Mar-14
		(In thousands)
	Debt	$	788,376
	Accrued interest	10,515
	Accounts payable	72,275
	Retirement obligations	52,864
	Restructuring reserve	7,274
	Other accrued liabilities	19,339
		$	950,643
	While operating as a Debtor-in-Possession under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code, the Debtor may sell, otherwise dispose of, or liquidate assets, or settle liabilities, subject to the approval of the Bankruptcy Court or otherwise as permitted in the ordinary course of business, in amounts other than those reflected in the Consolidated Financial Statements. Moreover, a plan of reorganization could materially change the amounts and classifications of assets and liabilities in the historical Consolidated Financial Statements.

Debtors_Financial_Statements

Debtor's Financial Statements	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Condensed Financial Information of Parent Company Only Disclosure [Abstract]	'
DEBTOR FINANCIAL STATEMENTS	'
	DEBTOR'S FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
	The financial statements reflect the results of operations, financial position, and cash flows of the Debtor only, including certain amounts and activities between Debtor and non-Debtor subsidiaries of the Company, which were eliminated in the Consolidated Financial Statements.
	Debtor's Statements of Operations
		For the Twelve Months Ended
		March 31, 2014
		(In thousands)
	Net sales	$	1,125,058
	Cost of sales	978,061
	Gross profit	146,997
	Selling and administrative expenses	153,999
	Restructuring and impairments, net	16,745
	Operating loss	(23,747		)
	Other income, net	(25,509		)
	Loss in net earnings of subsidiaries	29,770
	Interest expense, net	97,864
	Loss before reorganization items	(125,872		)
	Reorganization items	91,769
	Loss before income taxes	(217,641		)
	Income tax provision	169
	Net loss attributable to Debtor	$	(217,810	)
	Debtor's Balance Sheet
		March 31, 2014
		(In thousands)
	ASSETS
	Current assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	17,349
	Accounts receivable, net	133,384
	Non-Debtor receivables	40,550
	Inventories	196,129
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	37,594
	Total current assets	425,006
	Property, plant and equipment, net	228,297
	Other assets:
	Investments in non-Debtor subsidiaries	400,048
	Non-Debtor loans	240,505
	Other noncurrent assets	84,734
	Total other assets	725,287
	Total assets	$	1,378,590
	LIABILITIES AND DEBTOR'S EQUITY
	Current liabilities:
	Current maturities of long-term debt	$	284,625
	Accounts payable and accrued expenses	110,812
	Total current liabilities	395,437
	Other noncurrent liabilities	60,442
	Liabilities not subject to compromise	455,879
	Liabilities subject to compromise	950,643
	DEBTOR'S EQUITY
	Total Debtor's equity	(27,932		)
	Total liabilities and Debtor's equity	$	1,378,590
	Debtor's Statements of Cash Flows
		For the Twelve Months Ended
		March 31, 2014
		(In thousands)
	Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
	Net cash used in operating activities	$	(216,095	)
	Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
	Capital expenditures	(38,374		)
	Proceeds from asset sales	169
	Net cash used in investing activities	(38,205		)
	Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
	Increase in debt	275,000
	Financing fees and other	(29,770		)
	Net cash provided by financing activities	245,230
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(9,070		)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	26,419
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	17,349

Accounting_for_Derivatives

Accounting for Derivatives	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
ACCOUNTING FOR DERIVATIVES	'
	ACCOUNTING FOR DERIVATIVES
	The Company uses derivative contracts to hedge the volatility arising from changes in the fair value of certain assets and liabilities that are subject to market risk, such as interest rates on debt instruments, foreign currency exchange rates, and certain commodities. The Company does not enter into derivative contracts for trading or speculative purposes.
	The Company recognizes outstanding derivative instruments as assets or liabilities, based on measurements of their fair values. If a derivative qualifies for hedge accounting, gains or losses in its fair value that offset changes in the fair value of the asset or liability being hedged (“effective” gains or losses) are reported in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income, and subsequently recorded to earnings only as the related variability on the hedged transaction is recorded in earnings. If a derivative does not qualify for hedge accounting, changes in its fair value are reported in earnings immediately upon occurrence, and the classification of cash flows from these instruments is consistent with that of the transactions being hedged. Derivatives qualify for hedge accounting if they are designated as hedging instruments at their inception, and if they are highly effective in achieving changes in fair value or cash flows that offset the fair value / cash flow changes of the assets or liabilities being hedged. Regardless of a derivative’s accounting designation, changes in its fair value or cash flows that are not offset by fair value / cash flow changes in the asset or liability being hedged are considered ineffective, and are recognized in earnings immediately.
	The following tables set forth information on the presentation of these derivative instruments in the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements:
		Balance Sheet	31-Mar-14			31-Mar-13
			(In thousands)
	Asset Derivatives:
	Commodity swaps / forwards	Current assets	$	—		$	141
	Liability Derivatives:
	Commodity swaps / forwards	Current liabilities	1,709			—
	Foreign exchange forwards	Current liabilities	—			25
			For the Twelve Months Ended
			31-Mar-14			March 31, 2013			March 31, 2012
			(In thousands)
	Foreign Exchange Forwards	Other income, net
	(Gain) / loss		$	(25	)	$	(2,652	)	$	(6,051	)
	Commodity Swaps / Forwards
	(Gain) / loss	Cost of sales	1,587			1,302			3,970
	Interest Rate Swap
	(Gain) / loss	Interest expense, net	(94		)	(2,053		)	(1,820		)

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets

Goodwill and Intangible Assets	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS	'
	GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS
	Goodwill and intangibles, net consisted of the following:
		Goodwill		Trademarks		Trademarks			Customer			Technology			Total
		(not subject  to		and		and			Relationships
		amortization)		Tradenames		Tradenames
				(not subject to		(subject to
				amortization)		amortization)
		(In thousands)
	As of March 31, 2014
	Gross amount	$	916	$	61,532	$	13,996		$	107,993		$	26,030		$	210,467
	Accumulated amortization	—		—		(10,961		)	(44,349		)	(12,776		)	(68,086		)
		$	916	$	61,532	$	3,035		$	63,644		$	13,254		$	142,381
	As of March 31, 2013
	Gross amount	$	1,014	$	60,105	$	13,671		$	104,534		$	25,411		$	204,735
	Accumulated amortization	—		—		(9,627		)	(38,591		)	(11,207		)	(59,425		)
		$	1,014	$	60,105	$	4,044		$	65,943		$	14,204		$	145,310
	Amortization of intangible assets for fiscal year 2014, 2013, and 2012 was $6.8 million, $6.9 million, and $8.2 million, respectively. Excluding the impact of any future acquisitions (if any), the Company anticipates annual amortization of intangible assets for each of the next five years to be approximately $6.4 million. Intangible assets have been recorded at the legal entity level and are subject to foreign currency fluctuation.

Inventories

Inventories	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'
INVENTORIES	'
	INVENTORIES
	Inventories, valued using the FIFO method, consist of:
		31-Mar-14		31-Mar-13
		(In thousands)
	Raw materials	$	94,694	$	89,925
	Work-in-process	115,731		106,194
	Finished goods	272,793		292,102
		$	483,218	$	488,221

Property_Plant_and_Equipment

Property, Plant and Equipment	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment	'
	PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
	Property, plant and equipment, net consist of:
		31-Mar-14			31-Mar-13
		(In thousands)
	Land	$	54,725		$	55,443
	Buildings and improvements	255,034			253,960
	Machinery and equipment	816,889			802,414
	Construction in progress	53,455			59,176
		1,180,103			1,170,993
	Accumulated depreciation	(603,691		)	(612,878		)
	Property, plant and equipment, net	$	576,412		$	558,115
	Depreciation expense was $73.0 million, $71.8 million, and $74.1 million, for fiscal 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively.

Other_Noncurrent_Assets

Other Noncurrent Assets	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
OTHER NONCURRENT ASSETS	'
	OTHER NONCURRENT ASSETS
	Other noncurrent assets consisted of the following:
		31-Mar-14		31-Mar-13
		(In thousands)
	Deposits (1)	$	4,040	$	3,885
	Deferred financing costs	14,773		16,080
	Investment in affiliates	549		1,877
	Capitalized software, net	3,864		3,993
	Loan to affiliate	—		1,005
	Retirement plans	14,941		17,655
	Other	12,503		6,554
		$	50,670	$	51,049
	-1	Deposits principally represent amounts held by beneficiaries as cash collateral for the Company’s contingent obligations with respect to certain environmental matters, workers' compensation insurance, and operating lease commitments.

Debt

Debt	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
DEBT	'
	DEBT
	At March 31, 2014 and 2013, short-term borrowings of $4.1 million and $22.0 million, respectively, consisted of borrowings under various operating lines of credit and working capital facilities maintained by certain of the Company’s non-U.S. subsidiaries. Certain of these borrowings are collateralized by receivables, inventories and/or property. These borrowing facilities, which are typically for one-year renewable terms, generally bear interest at current local market rates plus up to one percent per annum. The weighted average interest rate on short-term borrowings was approximately 7.1% and 5.5% at March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
	Total long-term debt at March 31, 2014 and 2013 consisted of the following:
		31-Mar-14			31-Mar-13
		(In thousands)
	DIP credit facility	$	284,625		$	—
	8 5/8% senior secured notes due 2018 (1)	—			675,000
	Floating rate convertible senior subordinated notes due 2013 (1)	—			55,750
	Other, including capital lease obligations (see Note 13) and other loans at interest rates averaging approximately 6.2% due in installments through 2019	19,294			20,457
		303,919			751,207
	Fair value adjustments on hedged debt	—			2,788
		303,919			753,995
	Current maturities	(288,386		)	(60,131		)
	Total long-term debt	$	15,533		$	693,864
	-1	The pre-petition debt of the Debtor was reclassified to liabilities subject to compromise. Refer to Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on the Chapter 11 proceedings.
	Total debt, including short-term borrowings, at March 31, 2014 and 2013 was $308.0 million, excluding amounts included in liabilities subject to compromise, and $776.0 million, respectively.
	In connection with the Chapter 11 Case, the Bankruptcy Court has approved the DIP Credit Facility on the terms set forth in the DIP Credit Agreement. The DIP Credit Agreement provides for senior secured super-priority Debtor-in-Possession financing facilities in an aggregate amount of up to $500.0 million, consisting of a $225.0 million senior secured asset-based revolving credit facility (the "ABL revolving credit facility"), subject to a borrowing base, and a $275.0 million "last out" term loan facility. Effective July 12, 2013, the DIP Credit Agreement was amended and restated to provide a $25.0 million swingline facility sub-limit, as well as the creation of two separate tranches in the $225.0 million revolver facility: (i) a $110.0 million facility under which only advances denominated in U.S. Dollars can be drawn; and (ii) a $115.0 million facility under which advances denominated in U.S. Dollars or Euros can be drawn.
	Effective July 24, 2013, the DIP Credit Agreement was amended to permit an increase in the quarterly maximum capital expenditure limits of $25.0 million by $2.5 million should the preceding quarter’s EBITDA exceed 110.0% of the DIP budget, with the rolling four quarter maximum capital expenditures increased to $90.0 million for the four quarters ending after March 31, 2014.
	Effective October 9, 2013, a second amendment provided additional flexibility to the Company with regard to certain non-core asset transactions and further clarified certain terms of the DIP Credit Agreement. The second amendment revised the definition of "Permitted Liens" to permit contractual encumbrances in connection with certain permitted dispositions under the DIP Credit Agreement. The second amendment further changed the definition of "Total Adjusted Operating Cash Flow" to exclude the effect of Frisco Escrow Account receipts from "Total Adjusted Operating Cash Flow."
	Effective May 28, 2014, the Company entered into the third amendment to the DIP Credit Agreement, which, among other things, extended to June 30, 2014 the milestone for the Company to file a plan of reorganization with the Bankruptcy Court. The third amendment increased the quarterly and rolling four quarter capital expenditure limits from $25.0 million and $90.0 million to $36.0 million and $120.0 million, respectively. The third amendment also excluded from the definition of "Capital Expenditure" expenditures made in connection with the replacement, substitution, restoration or repair of assets funded through the receipt of insurance proceeds or other compensation awards paid on account of a casualty loss. Finally, the third amendment increased the European factoring basket to Euro 100.0 million from Euro 75.0 million and expanded the subsidiaries whose receivables can be factored to include subsidiaries domiciled in Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden.
	Effective June 27, 2014, the Company entered into the fourth amendment to the DIP Credit Agreement, which extended to July 31, 2014 the deadline for filing a plan of reorganization and eliminating the milestone related to soliciting acceptance of the plan of reorganization. The fourth amendment also increased to $85.0 million from $75.0 million the letters of credit sublimit.
	Also, effective on June 27, 2014, the Company entered into the fifth amendment to the DIP Credit Agreement, which, among other things, extended to August 15, 2014 the date by which the Company is required to deliver annual audited financial statements and the related Compliance Certificate for the fiscal year of the Company ended March 31, 2014.
	On July 22, 2014, the Company entered into the sixth amendment to the DIP Credit Agreement, which, among other things, sought to modify the DIP Credit Agreement as follows:
	•	eliminate restrictions on capital expenditures, modify the definition of EBITDA and adjust the minimum EBITDA covenant to address lower anticipated future period earnings, and provide other covenant relief;
	•	extend the maturity date of the loans made under the DIP Credit Agreement to December 31, 2014 ("the Extension Amendment") effective upon the satisfaction of certain conditions, including, among other things, the Company and members of the Unofficial Committee of Senior Secured Noteholders ("UNC") holding a majority in principal amount of the Company's Senior Secured Notes entering into a customary plan support agreement with respect to an Acceptable Plan of Reorganization, as that term is defined in the amended DIP Credit Agreement; and
	•	provide for $60.0 million in additional term loan financing (the "Upsizing Amendment"), which will be funded pursuant to a commitment letter executed by certain members of the UNC to provide additional term loan financing with net cash proceeds of $60.0 million, subject to satisfaction of certain conditions including approval by the Bankruptcy Court.
	On July 28, 2014, the Bankruptcy Court entered an order approving the Upsizing Amendment.
	On July 25, 2014, Exide entered into the seventh amendment to the DIP Credit Agreement, which eliminated the milestone related to filing a plan of reorganization.
	On June 30, 2014, the Company received a non-binding POR Proposal from the UNC, whose members hold a substantial majority of the term loan component of the DIP Credit Facility and pre-petition senior secured notes. The POR Proposal, which is subject to completion of definitive documentation and certain other conditions, provides approximately $485.0 million in new capital, and is currently expected to be comprised of the following:
	•	A preferred convertible equity capital commitment of approximately $300.0 million (a portion of which will be in the form of a rights offering backstopped by certain members of the UNC and another portion in the form of a direct investment by certain members of the UNC);
	•	A $185.0 million bond issuance also backstopped by certain members of the UNC; and
	•	An asset based loan facility for which commitments would be obtained from potential lenders in conjunction with the plan confirmation process.
	The maturity date of the loans made under the DIP Credit Agreement is the earliest to occur of: (i) December 31, 2014; (ii) the effective date of the Debtor plan of reorganization; and (iii) the acceleration of such loans. The revolving loans bear interest at the rate of LIBOR plus 3.25% and the term loan bears interest at a rate of 9.0%. The obligations of the Borrowers under the DIP Credit Agreement are unconditionally guaranteed by certain material foreign subsidiaries. In addition, the U.S. Borrower unconditionally guarantees the obligations of the Foreign Borrower. Subject to certain exceptions, the obligations of the Borrowers and the guarantors under the DIP Credit Agreement and the other loan documents are secured by first priority liens on specified assets of the Borrowers and the foreign guarantors and 100.0% pledge of the equity interests of certain of the Borrowers' direct and indirect subsidiaries. The DIP Credit Agreement requires the Borrowers to comply with financial covenants as defined by the agreement relating to minimum liquidity, maximum capital expenditures, cumulative total adjusted operating cash flows, minimum cumulative EBITDA, and minimum twelve month trailing EBITDA.
	Events of default under the DIP Credit Agreement include, among others, failure to pay any principal, interest or other amount due under the applicable credit agreement, breach of specific covenants, and a change of control of the Company. Upon an event of default, the requisite lenders may declare the outstanding obligations under the DIP Credit Agreement to be immediately due and payable and exercise other rights and remedies provided for thereunder.
	Annual principal payments required under the DIP Credit Agreement and other long-term debt obligations at March 31, 2014 are as follows:
	2015	$	288,386
	2016	2,336
	2017	2,404
	2018	2,495
	2019	2,246
	2020 and beyond	6,052
	Total	$	303,919

Employee_Benefit_Plans_and_Pos

Employee Benefit Plans and Post-Retirement Health Care and Life Insurance Benefits	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS AND POSTRETIREMENT HEALTH CARE AND LIFE INSURANCE BENEFITS	'
	EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS AND POST-RETIREMENT HEALTH CARE AND LIFE INSURANCE BENEFITS
	In the U.S., the Company has a non-contributory defined benefit pension plan that, while currently frozen, covers substantially all hourly and salaried employees. In Europe and ROW, the Company sponsors several defined benefit plans that cover substantially all employees who are not covered by statutory plans. For defined benefit plans, charges to expense are based upon underlying assumptions established by the Company in consultation with its actuaries. In most cases, the Europe and ROW defined benefit plans are not required to be funded.
	The Company also has defined contribution plans in North America and Europe and ROW with related expense of $7.2 million, $21.8 million, and $19.3 million, for fiscal 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively. The decrease in defined contribution plan expense in fiscal 2014 compared to fiscal 2013 is primarily the result of suspending employer contributions to the Company's U.S. defined contribution plan beginning June 1, 2013.
	The Company provides certain retiree health care and life insurance benefits to a limited number of employees. The Company accrues the estimated cost of providing post-retirement benefits during the employees’ applicable years of service.
	The following tables set forth the plans’ funded status and the amounts recognized in the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements at March 31, 2014 and 2013:
	Pension Benefits:	For the Twelve Months Ended
		31-Mar-14				31-Mar-13
		(In thousands)
	Change in benefit obligation:
	Benefit obligation at beginning of period	$	697,535			$	686,725
	Service cost	2,272				2,384
	Interest cost	28,639				29,711
	Actuarial loss	7,080				31,284
	Plan participants’ contributions	164				221
	Benefits paid	(35,021		)		(35,392		)
	Currency translation	23,760				(13,586		)
	Settlements and other	(3,190		)		(3,812		)
	Benefit obligation at end of period	$	721,239			$	697,535
	Change in plan assets:
	Fair value of plan assets at beginning of period	$	497,577			$	472,316
	Actual return on plan assets	35,906				47,348
	Employer contributions	16,589				25,400
	Plan participants’ contributions	164				221
	Benefits paid	(35,021		)		(35,392		)
	Currency translation	14,006				(8,505		)
	Settlements and other	(1,642		)		(3,811		)
	Fair value of plan assets at end of period	$	527,579			$	497,577
	Reconciliation of funded status:
	Benefit obligation at end of period	$	721,239			$	697,535
	Fair value of plan assets at end of period	527,579				497,577
	Funded status (under) / over	$	(193,660	)		$	(199,958	)
	Amounts recognized in statement of financial position:
	Noncurrent other assets	$	14,941			$	17,655
	Accrued expenses	(9,645		)		(8,340		)
	Noncurrent retirement obligations	(198,956		)		(209,273		)
	Net amount recognized at end of period (1)	$	(193,660	)		$	(199,958	)
	Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss:
	Prior service cost	$	792			$	799
	Net actuarial loss	107,178				108,916
	Net amount recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss	$	107,970			$	109,715
	-1	Amounts above are before $40.3 million reclassification to liabilities subject to compromise. See Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
	Other Post-Retirement Benefits:	For the Twelve Months Ended
		31-Mar-14				31-Mar-13
		(In thousands)
	Change in benefit obligation:
	Benefit obligation at beginning of period	$	26,025			$	25,153
	Service cost	749				700
	Interest cost	977				1,046
	Actuarial loss (gain)	(4,296		)		1,097
	Plan participants’ contributions	214				120
	Benefits paid	(1,967		)		(1,859		)
	Currency translation	(813		)		(232		)
	Benefit obligation at end of period	$	20,889			$	26,025
	Change in plan assets:
	Fair value of plan assets at beginning of period	$	—			$	—
	Employer contributions	1,753				1,739
	Plan participants’ contributions	214				120
	Benefits paid	(1,967		)		(1,859		)
	Fair value of plan assets at end of period	$	—			$	—
	Reconciliation of funded status:
	Benefit obligation at end of period	$	20,889			$	26,025
	Fair value of plan assets at end of period	—				—
	Funded status (under) / over	$	(20,889	)		$	(26,025	)
Amounts recognized in statement of financial position:
Accrued expenses	$	(1,691	)		$	(1,894	)
Noncurrent retirement obligations	(19,198		)		(24,131		)
Net amount recognized at end of period (1)	$	(20,889	)		$	(26,025	)
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss:
Prior service credit	$	(2,460	)		$	(2,950	)
Net actuarial loss	5,276				10,478
Net amount recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss	$	2,816			$	7,528
-1	Amounts above are before $12.5 million reclassification to liabilities subject to compromise. See Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
	Pension						Other Post-Retirement
Disclosure Assumptions:	Benefits						Benefits
Weighted-average assumptions for:	31-Mar-14			31-Mar-13			31-Mar-14			31-Mar-13
Discount rate	4.1	%		4.2	%		4	%		4	%
Rate of compensation increase	2.5	%		2.5	%		n/a			n/a
	Pension									Other Post-Retirement
Expense Assumptions:	Benefits / Expense									Benefits / Expense
Weighted-average assumptions for:	FY 2014			FY 2013			FY 2012			FY 2014		FY 2013		FY 2012
Discount rate	4.2	%		4.5	%		5.4	%		4.3	%	4.3	%	5.1	%
Expected return on plan assets	6.2	%		6.2	%		7.1	%		n/a		n/a		n/a
Rate of compensation increase	2.5	%		2.5	%		2.6	%		n/a		n/a		n/a
For fiscal year 2014 pension benefit expense, the Company assumed an expected weighted average return on plan assets of 6.2%. In developing this rate assumption, the Company evaluated input from third-party pension plan asset managers, including their review of asset class return expectations and long-term inflation assumptions.
The changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive (loss) income at March 31, 2014 are as follows:
	Pension				Post-retirement
	Benefits				Health and Other
					Benefits
	(In thousands)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss:
Net (gain) loss arising during the period	$	1,545			$	(4,296	)
Net prior service cost during the period	(65		)		490
Net loss recognized during the period	(4,657		)		(673		)
Exchange rate gain (loss) recognized during the period	1,432				(234		)
Total	$	(1,745	)		$	(4,713	)
The following amounts are expected to be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into net periodic benefit cost in the next fiscal year are as follows:
	Pension				Post-retirement
	Benefits				Health and Other
					Benefits
	(In thousands)
Prior service cost/(credit)	$	66			$	(490	)
Actuarial loss	3,015				346
Total	$	3,081			$	(144	)
Net Periodic Benefit Cost
The following tables set forth the plans’ expenses recognized in the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements:
	Pension Benefits
	For the Twelve Months Ended
	31-Mar-14				31-Mar-13				31-Mar-12
	(In thousands)
Components of net periodic benefit cost:
Service cost	$	2,272			$	2,384			$	2,231
Interest cost	28,639				29,711				33,076
Expected return on plan assets	(30,371		)		(29,012		)		(31,214		)
Amortization of:
Prior service cost	65				62				88
Actuarial loss	3,125				2,019				665
Net periodic benefit cost	$	3,730			$	5,164			$	4,846
The above excludes the impact of settlement and curtailment net (loss) gain of $(0.1) million, $(0.2) million, and $0.05 million in fiscal 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively.
	Other Post-Retirement Benefits
	For the Twelve Months Ended
	31-Mar-14				31-Mar-13				31-Mar-12
	(In thousands)
Components of net periodic benefit cost:
Service cost	$	749			$	700			$	516
Interest cost	977				1,046				1,123
Amortization of:
Prior service cost	(490		)		(490		)		(490		)
Actuarial loss	673				642				498
Net periodic benefit cost	$	1,909			$	1,898			$	1,647
The projected benefit obligation, accumulated benefit obligation, and fair value of plan assets for the pension plans with accumulated benefit obligations in excess of plan assets were $547.4 million, $541.6 million and $338.8 million, respectively, as of March 31, 2014 and $553.6 million, $548.0 million and $336.0 million, respectively, as of March 31, 2013.
The accumulated benefit obligation for the Company’s pension plans was $714.9 million as of March 31, 2014. Expected future benefit payments are as follows:
					Other Post-Retirement
	Pension				Gross Expected
	Benefits				Benefit Payments
Fiscal Year	(In thousands)
2015	$	43,965			$	1,691
2016	39,706				1,666
2017	40,402				1,639
2018	41,631				1,595
2019	41,709				1,537
2020 to 2024	216,496				6,804
Pension Plan Investment Strategy
The Company’s pension plans are invested in a diversified portfolio of investments consisting primarily of equity and fixed income securities. The target asset allocation for the plan portfolio is based on a combination of financial, demographic, and actuarial considerations, along with the advice of the Company’s investment advisory firm. The plans’ current target allocation is a mix of approximately 40.0% equity investments and 60.0% long duration fixed-income investments. The Company believes this target allocation will be effective in achieving the plans’ long-term investment objectives of:
•protecting the plan’s funded status from volatility
•optimizing the long-term return on plan assets sufficient to accommodate current and future pension obligations
•maintaining an acceptable level of risk for each asset category
The Company utilizes a principal investment manager to actively manage the assets of its U.S. plan. Based on its underlying risk parameters, the Company has established investment guidelines for each investment manager within which they have agreed to operate. These guidelines include criteria for identifying eligible and ineligible securities as well as diversification criteria. In addition, investment managers are required to seek approval prior to making investments in certain commodity contracts, illiquid investments, or futures or options strategies, and are prohibited from engaging in certain transactions including the short selling of securities, borrowing money, or engaging in futures or options strategies for purposes of speculation or leverage.
The Company’s non-U.S. pension plans are also managed by investment managers who are appointed by the trustees of those plans. The investment strategies of those plans are similar to those of the U.S. plan, but are in some instances influenced by local laws and regulations.
The asset allocation for the Company’s pension plans by asset category are as follows:
	Percentage of Plan Assets at Year End
	31-Mar-14			31-Mar-13
Cash and cash equivalents	1.2	%		1	%
Equity securities	35.4	%		40	%
Fixed income securities	61.7	%		57	%
Other	1.7	%		2	%
Total	100	%		100	%
Plan Contributions
The estimated fiscal 2015 pension plan contributions are $22.4 million and other post-retirement contributions are $1.7 million. Cash contributions to the Company’s pension plans are generally made in accordance with minimum regulatory requirements.
The Company expects that cumulative contributions to its pension plans will total approximately $104.2 million from fiscal 2015 to fiscal 2019, and contributions to its other post-retirement benefit plans will total approximately $8.1 million from fiscal 2015 to fiscal 2019.
Health Care Cost Trends
Assumed health care cost trend rates have a significant effect on the amounts reported for other post-retirement benefits. A one-percentage-point change in assumed health care cost trend rates would have the following effects:
	One Percentage-				One Percentage-
	Point Increase				Point Decrease
	(In thousands)
Effect on total of service and interest cost components	$	369			$	282
Effect on the post-retirement benefit obligation	$	2,232			$	1,827

Stock_Based_Compensation_Plans

Stock Based Compensation Plans	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
STOCK BASED COMPENSATION PLANS	'
	STOCK BASED COMPENSATION PLANS
	The Company accounts for stock based compensation by recognizing the cost resulting from all share-based payment transactions in the Consolidated Financial Statements. The Company uses fair value as the basis for measuring the cost of such compensation. The Company generally recognizes compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the period the award is earned by the employee.
	The Company’s stock incentive plan provides incentives and awards to employees and directors of the Company. Under the plan, all employees are eligible to receive awards. The plan permits the granting of stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, and performance awards.
	Under the terms of the plan, stock options are generally subject to a three-year vesting schedule, and generally expire 10 years from the option grant date. Restricted stock and restricted stock units are generally subject to a three to five-year vesting schedule. In addition, as part of their annual compensation, each non-employee member of the Company’s Board of Directors receives restricted stock units. These awards are 100.0% vested one year after the grant date, but are not deliverable until the director has completed his or her service on the board. The vesting schedules for the awards are subject to certain change in control provisions, including full vesting if an employee is terminated within 12 months of a change in control.
	Total compensation cost related to stock compensation plans was $1.6 million, $5.6 million, and $5.2 million for fiscal 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively. As of March 31, 2014, total compensation cost related to non-vested awards not yet recognized in the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements was $1.0 million, which is expected to be recognized in fiscal 2015. No new awards were granted in fiscal 2014.
	Stock Option Awards
	The Company did not issue stock options during fiscal 2014, 2013, or 2012. The following table includes information about stock options:
		Number of Stock		Weighted Average		Weighted Average
		Options		Exercise Price		Remaining Contractual
		(In thousands)				Life (Years)
	Shares under option:
	Outstanding at March 31, 2011	3,100		$	8.02	6
	Forfeited	(228	)	9.01
	Outstanding at March 31, 2012	2,872		$	7.94	5
	Forfeited	(4	)	6.29
	Outstanding at March 31, 2013	2,868		$	7.94	4
	Forfeited	(1,223	)	7.96
	Outstanding at March 31, 2014	1,645		$	7.93	3.1
	Vested and Exercisable at:
	31-Mar-14	1,645		$	7.93	3.1
	31-Mar-13	2,868		$	7.94	4
	31-Mar-12	2,786		$	7.99	4.9
	Restricted Stock Awards
	During fiscal 2013, and 2012, 0.2 million, and 1.4 million shares of restricted stock and/or restricted stock units were approved to be granted to certain eligible employees.
	Restricted stock transactions are as follows:
		Number of Shares		Weighted-Average
				Fair Value
		(In thousands)
	Outstanding (non-vested) at March 31, 2013	1,503		$4.24
	Vested	(985	)	$4.63
	Forfeited	(137	)	$3.44
	Outstanding (non-vested) at March 31, 2014	381		$4.10

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
INCOME TAXES	'
	INCOME TAXES
	The provision for income taxes includes federal, state and foreign taxes currently payable and those deferred because of net operating losses and temporary differences between the Consolidated Financial Statements and tax bases of assets and liabilities. The components of income (loss) before income taxes, and the provision (benefit) for income taxes are as follows:
		For the Twelve Months Ended
		31-Mar-14				31-Mar-13				31-Mar-12
		(In thousands)
	Income (loss) before income taxes:
	U.S.	$	(188,117	)		$	(131,563	)		$	(30,726	)
	Foreign	(23,455		)		8,387				31,477
		$	(211,572	)		$	(123,176	)		$	751
	Income tax provision (benefit):
	Current
	U.S.	$	2,279			$	440			$	(825	)
	Foreign	5,866				6,297				23,535
		8,145				6,737				22,710
	Deferred
	U.S.	(2,172		)		87,468				(9,809		)
	Foreign	185				5,710				(68,104		)
		(1,987		)		93,178				(77,913		)
	Total income tax provision (benefit)	$	6,158			$	99,915			$	(55,203	)
	Major differences between the federal statutory rate and the effective tax rate are as follows:
		For the Twelve Months Ended
		31-Mar-14			31-Mar-13			31-Mar-12
	Federal statutory rate	35	%		35	%		35	%
	Dividend income	—			—			(0.2	)
	Withholding tax	—			(2.2	)		—
	Change in tax rate	—			0.2			(6.7	)
	Change in uncertain tax positions	0.6			2.4			(312.1	)
	Local income tax provision (benefit)	(0.9	)		(1.4	)		527
	Change in valuation allowances	(40.6	)		(123.3	)		(8,109.8	)
	Revaluation of warrants	—			—			(3.2	)
	Rate differences on foreign subsidiaries	4.4			10.5			(1,795.2	)
	Executive compensation	—			—			72.2
	Thin cap disallowance	(1.0	)		(0.7	)		84.1
	Spain tax settlement	—			—			1,787.00
	Sub part F income	—			—			28
	Other, net	(0.4	)		(1.6	)		343.3
	Effective tax rate	(2.9	)%		(81.1	)%		(7,350.6	)%
	The following is a summary of the significant components of the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities:
		31-Mar-14				31-Mar-13
	Deferred tax assets:	(In thousands)
	Operating loss and tax credit carryforwards	$	315,217			$	289,895
	Compensation reserves	59,984				66,709
	Environmental reserves	9,014				9,235
	Sales Returns	8,159				8,281
	Other	43,157				11,837
	Valuation allowance	(286,931		)		(242,735		)
		$	148,600			$	143,222
	Deferred tax liabilities:
	Property, plant, and equipment	$	(6,002	)		$	(11,151	)
	Foreign exchange	(917		)		(76		)
	Intangible assets	(38,373		)		(38,552		)
		(45,292		)		(49,779		)
	Net deferred tax assets	$	103,308			$	93,443
	The net deferred income tax asset is classified in the consolidated balance sheet as follows:
		31-Mar-14				31-Mar-13
		(In thousands)
	Current asset	$	16,339			$	11,470
	Current liability	(4,435		)		(8,721		)
	Noncurrent asset	116,736				107,865
	Noncurrent liability	(25,332		)		(17,171		)
		$	103,308			$	93,443
	As of March 31, 2014, the Company has net operating loss carryforwards (“NOLs”) for U.S. and state income tax purposes of $475.8 million. These loss carryforwards will expire in years 2015 through 2034. The Company determined that a Sec. 382 ownership change occurred during the fiscal year ending March 31, 2007 related to the September 2006 rights offering. IRC Sec. 382 places annual limits on the amount of the Company's U.S. and state NOLs that may be used to offset future taxable income. The Company has calculated its Sec. 382 limitation on U.S. and state losses incurred prior to September 15, 2006 to approximate $5.0 million per year over the next 19 years.
	At March 31, 2014, certain of the Company's foreign subsidiaries have NOLs for income tax purposes of approximately $970.4 million, of which approximately $86.2 million expire in fiscal years 2015 through 2032. The remaining NOLs are available for carryforward indefinitely.
Valuation allowances have been recognized in the U.S. and certain foreign tax jurisdictions to reduce the deferred tax assets for loss carryforwards and deductible temporary differences for which it is more likely than not that the tax benefits associated with those assets will not be realized. In other jurisdictions (primarily France and Germany), the Company's net deferred tax assets include loss carryforwards and deductible temporary differences which management believes are realizable through future taxable income. Each quarter, the Company reviews the need to report the future realization of tax benefits of deductible temporary differences or loss carryforwards on its Consolidated Financial Statements. All available evidence is considered to determine whether a valuation allowance should be established against these future tax benefits or previously established valuation allowances should be released. This review is performed on a jurisdiction by jurisdiction basis. As global market conditions and the Company's financial results in certain jurisdictions change, the continued release and establishment of related valuation allowances may occur.
During fiscal 2013, the Company determined that tax benefits from deferred tax assets relating to its United States operations are not more likely than not to be realized, and established a valuation allowance on these deductible temporary differences and loss carryforwards. This determination was based on the results of operations in recent years and its expected profitability in the current and future years. The establishment of the valuation allowance resulted in a non-cash income tax expense of $85.1 million. Also during fiscal 2013, the Company determined that it was not more likely than not that the tax benefits from deferred tax assets relating to some of its India and Portugal operations would be realized and established a valuation allowance on these deductible temporary differences and loss carryforwards. This determination was based on the results of operations in recent years and their expected profitability in the current and future years. Establishment of the valuation allowance resulted in a non-cash income tax charge in India and Portugal aggregating $3.5 million.
During fiscal 2012, the Company determined that tax benefits from deferred tax assets relating to its France operations are more likely than not, and reversed the valuation allowance on these deductible temporary differences and loss carryforwards. This determination was based on the results of operations in recent years and its expected profitability in the current and future years. Reversal of the valuation allowance resulted in a non-cash income tax benefit of $73.6 million. Also during fiscal 2012, the Company determined that it was not more likely than not that the tax benefits from deferred tax assets relating to some of its India and Portugal operations would be realized and established a valuation allowance on these deductible temporary differences and loss carryforwards. This determination was based on the results of operations in recent years and their expected profitability in the current and future years. Establishment of the valuation allowance resulted in a non-cash income tax charge in India and Portugal aggregating $4.2 million.
During fiscal 2012, the Company recorded a $13.4 million settlement with the Spanish tax authorities regarding its current and certain former Spanish subsidiaries. The settlement permanently closes income tax audits for fiscal years 2003 through 2010. As part of the settlement, the Company agreed to withdraw its appeal of audit results for the periods 2003 through 2006. This withdrawal resulted in the forfeiture of the $13.4 million previously paid during the appeal process.
As of March 31, 2014, the Company had not provided for withholding or U.S. Federal income taxes on current or prior year undistributed earnings of certain foreign subsidiaries, since such earnings are expected to be reinvested indefinitely or be substantially offset by available foreign tax credits and operating loss carry forwards. As of March 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company had approximately $26.4 million and $58.8 million, respectively, of undistributed earnings in its foreign subsidiaries. It is not practicable to determine the amount of unrecognized deferred U.S. income tax liability on these unremitted earnings.
The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various state and foreign jurisdictions. The Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal income tax examinations by tax authorities for years ended before March 31, 2011.
With respect to state and local jurisdictions and countries outside of the United States, with limited exceptions, the Company and its subsidiaries are no longer subject to income tax audits for years ended before March 31, 2007. Although the outcome of tax audits is always uncertain, the Company believes that adequate amounts of tax, interest and penalties have been provided for any adjustments that could result from these years.
A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefit is as follows:
	31-Mar-14				31-Mar-13
	(In thousands)
Beginning of year	$	34,962			$	41,523
Increases for income tax positions taken during current period	—				—
Increases/(decreases) for currency fluctuation on tax positions	2,218				(849		)
Decreases for settlements with taxing authorities	—				(4,083		)
Decreases for lapse of the applicable statute of limitations	(1,127		)		(1,629		)
End of year	$	36,053			$	34,962
The amount, if recognized, that would affect the Company's effective tax rate at March 31, 2014 and 2013 is $32.2 million and $30.9 million, respectively.
The Company classifies interest and penalties on uncertain tax benefits as income tax expense. At March 31, 2014 and 2013, before any tax benefits, the Company had $1.0 million and $1.2 million, respectively, of accrued interest and penalties on unrecognized tax benefits.
During the next twelve months, the Company does not expect the resolution of any tax audits which could potentially reduce unrecognized tax benefits by a material amount. However, expiration of the statute of limitations for a tax year in which the Company has recorded uncertain tax benefits will occur in the next twelve months. The removal of these uncertain tax benefits would affect the Company's effective tax rate by $0.1 million.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	'
	COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
	Claims Reconciliation
	On April 15, 2002, the “2002 Petition Date”, Exide Technologies, together with certain of its subsidiaries (the “2002 Debtors”), filed voluntary petitions for reorganization under Chapter 11 in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware (the "Previous Cases" and the "2002 Bankruptcy Court"). The Debtors, along with the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors in the Previous Cases, filed a Joint Plan of Reorganization (the “2002 Plan”) with the Bankruptcy Court on February 27, 2004 and, on April 21, 2004, the Bankruptcy Court confirmed the 2002 Plan. On May 5, 2004, the 2002 Plan went effective.
	Under the 2002 Plan, holders of general unsecured claims were eligible to receive collectively 2.5 million shares of common stock and warrants to purchase up to approximately 6.7 million shares of common stock at $29.84 per share. Approximately 13.4% of such common stock and warrants were initially reserved for distribution for disputed claims (the "Equity Reserve").  All distributions contemplated by the 2002 Plan have been made with the exception of 0.2 million shares that were being held in the Equity Reserve at the time the 2013 bankruptcy case was filed.
	On June 17, 2004, this Court entered an order and final decree closing the 2002 Chapter 11 cases of the subsidiary debtors. Thus, the only case that remained open is that of Exide Technologies (the "Main 2002 Case").  On March 11, 2014, Exide filed a motion to close the Main 2002 Case.  On March 28, 2014, the 2002 Bankruptcy Court entered an order closing the Main 2002 Case, and the Main 2002 Case was marked as closed as of April 2, 2014.  As a result, the two claims matters that remained pending in the 2002 Main Case will be addressed in the Chapter 11 Case, including the disposition of the Equity Reserve, either in connection with any plan of reorganization or by subsequent motion.
	Private Party Lawsuits and other Legal Proceedings
	In 2003, the Company served notices in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware to reject certain executory contracts with EnerSys, which the Company contended were executory, including a 1991 Trademark and Trade Name License Agreement (the “Trademark License”), pursuant to which the Company had licensed to EnerSys use of the “Exide” trademark on certain industrial battery products in the United States and 80 foreign countries. EnerSys objected to the rejection of certain of those contracts, including the Trademark License. In 2006, the Bankruptcy Court granted the Company's request to reject certain of the contracts, including the Trademark License. EnerSys appealed those rulings. On June 1, 2010, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals reversed the Bankruptcy Court ruling, and remanded to the lower courts, holding that certain of the contracts, including the Trademark License, were not executory contracts and, therefore, were not subject to rejection. On August 27, 2010, acting on the Third Circuit's mandate, the Bankruptcy Court vacated its prior orders and denied the Company's motion to reject the contracts on the grounds that the agreements are not executory. On September 20, 2010, the Company filed a complaint in the Bankruptcy Court seeking a declaratory judgment that EnerSys does not have enforceable rights under the Trademark License under Bankruptcy Code provisions which the Company believes are relevant to non-executory contracts. EnerSys filed a motion to dismiss that complaint, which the Bankruptcy Court granted on January 8, 2013.
	On June 7, 2013, EnerSys Delaware Inc., formerly known as EnerSys, Inc. filed suit against the Company in the Court of Chancery for the State of Delaware seeking an accounting and restitution for alleged benefits received by the Company and alleged losses incurred by EnerSys allegedly as the result of the granting by the 2002 Bankruptcy Court in 2006 of an Order which allowed the Company to reject the Trademark License and use the licensed "Exide" trademark for Industrial battery products and the 2002 Bankruptcy Court's subsequent August 2010 Order vacating the 2006 Order and denying the Company's request to reject the Trademark License. On June 10, 2013, the Company filed a voluntary petition for reorganization pursuant to Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code in the District of Delaware, and the suit filed by EnerSys Delaware Inc. was automatically stayed pursuant to Section 362(a)(1) of the Bankruptcy Code.
	On April 15, 2013, David M. Loritz filed a purported class action lawsuit against the Company, James R. Bolch, Phillip A. Damaska, R. Paul Hirt, Jr., and Michael Ostermann alleging violations of certain federal securities laws. On May 3, 2013, Trevor Knopf filed a nearly identical complaint against the same named defendants in the same court. These cases were filed in the United States District Court for the Central District of California purportedly on behalf of purchasers of the Company's stock between February 9, 2012 and April 3, 2013. On June 4, 2013, James Cassella and Sandra Weitsman filed a substantially similar action in the same court, purportedly on behalf of those who purchased the Company's stock between June 1, 2011 and April 24, 2013, against the Company, Messrs. Bolch, Damaska, Hirt, and Louis E. Martinez. On July 9, 2013, Judge Stephen V. Wilson consolidated these cases under the Loritz v. Exide Technologies, Inc. caption, lead docket number 2:13-02607-SVW-E, and appointed Sandra Weitsman and James Cassella Lead Plaintiffs of the putative class of former Exide stockholders. Judge Wilson ordered Lead Plaintiffs to file their consolidated amended complaint on or before August 23, 2013. On July 17, 2013, Lead Plaintiffs voluntarily dismissed their claims against the Company, without prejudice, to re-file at a future date. Lead Plaintiffs have indicated that they intend to pursue their claims against the individual defendants during the pendency of Exide's bankruptcy and may seek to reinstate their claims against the Company when it emerges from bankruptcy.
	On September 6, 2013, pursuant to an order extending the previous deadline, Lead Plaintiffs filed their Consolidated Amended Complaint, naming as defendants Messrs. James R. Bolch, Phillip A. Damaska, R. Paul Hirt, Jr., Louis E. Martinez, John P. Reilly, Herbert F. Aspbury, Michael R. D’Appolonia, David S. Ferguson, John O’Higgins, and Dominic J. Pilleggi. Lead Plaintiffs did not name Mr. Ostermann as a defendant in the Consolidated Amended Complaint. In the Consolidated Amended Complaint Lead Plaintiffs purport to state claims under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 on behalf of purchasers of the Company’s stock during the period June 1, 2011 and May 24, 2013. In addition, Lead Plaintiffs purport to state claims under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act and Sections 11 and 15 of the Securities Act of 1933 on behalf of purchasers of the Company’s Senior Secured Notes during the period August 8, 2011 through May 24, 2013. Lead Plaintiffs allege that certain public statements made by the Company and its officers during these periods were materially false and misleading. The Consolidated Amended Complaint does not specify an amount of damages sought. Defendants deny all allegations against them and intend to vigorously pursue their defense. Defendants moved to dismiss all claims against them and, on December 19, 2013, Judge Wilson granted defendants' motion to dismiss in its entirety, without prejudice. Judge Wilson gave Lead Plaintiffs leave to file their Consolidated Second Amended Complaint on or before January 30, 2014. On January 30, 2014, Lead Plaintiffs filed their Consolidated Second Amended Complaint, which is nearly identical in every material respect to the Consolidated Amended Complaint. The Consolidated Second Amended Complaint does not specify an amount of damages sought. Defendants deny all allegations against them and intend to vigorously pursue their defense. On February 13, 2014, Defendants filed their Motion to Dismiss the Consolidated Second Amended Complaint. On March 31, 2014, Judge Wilson heard oral argument on Defendants’ Motion to Dismiss and took the motion under advisement. Discovery is currently stayed pursuant to the discovery-stay provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
	The Company's Netherlands subsidiary, Exide Technologies B.V. (“BV”), received notice from the Dutch competition authorities that it was the subject of an investigation of a local trade association’s members in the traction/Motive Power batteries segment. On July 9 and July 16, 2013, the authorities conducted an on-site inspection and requested additional information and documentation, which the Company has provided. In December 2013, the Company submitted to the Dutch Competition Authority (the "ACM") a leniency application for immunity or reduction of fines that might be imposed as a result of the investigation. The Company was recently notified by the ACM of a provisional grant of leniency in respect of certain conduct and that the Company did not receive provisional leniency for certain other conduct. As required under the ACM's leniency program, the Company continues to cooperate with the Dutch authority. The ACM has not issued a statement of charges to the Company or its subsidiaries. Accordingly, the precise scope and time period at issue, as well as the final outcome of the Netherlands investigation, remains uncertain.
	In connection with BV’s cooperation with the above-described investigation, the Company discovered activities also in different segments of its Industrial Energy division in Austria, Belgium and Germany that appeared to have occurred in prior years that did not conform to the Company’s internal policies. Upon discovery of these facts, the Company commenced an internal investigation led by independent outside counsel. While a majority of the activities had ceased prior to the initiation of the internal investigation, the Company promptly stopped any remaining ongoing conduct. The Company brought the matter to the attention of the appropriate competition authorities, and, in all affected jurisdictions, the Company has been cooperating with them in further information gathering. As a result of this action, the Company has been granted conditional immunity by regulators in Austria, Germany and Belgium. Additionally, the authority in Austria has decided that the actions would likely have fallen outside any applicable statute of limitations period and the authority has advised that it does not intend to pursue an investigation at this stage. The grants of immunity in Belgium and Germany, which are conditioned on factors that include the Company’s continued cooperation with authorities, should eliminate any governmental fines and penalties that could result if the reported conduct is found to violate applicable law in such jurisdictions. Should immunity be revoked, these investigations could result in significant penalties.
	Further, even with the grants of conditional immunity in Austria, Germany, and Belgium, the Company might be subject to disputes with private parties concerning alleged damages that are claimed to be a result of the Company’s prior conduct. While the Company believes it would have defenses to any adverse allegations in private actions and would intend to vigorously defend itself in any such actions, litigation of this type is inherently uncertain, costly, and complex, and the Company cannot be certain that it would prevail. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the outcome of the Netherlands investigation or any private party disputes would not have a material adverse affect on the business, financial condition, cash flows, and results of operations of the Company, despite the fact the Company has been granted conditional immunity in Austria, Germany, and Belgium, and continues to cooperate with the applicable regulatory authorities.
	Environmental Matters
	As a result of its multinational manufacturing, distribution, and recycling operations, the Company is subject to numerous federal, state, and local environmental, occupational health, and safety laws and regulations, as well as similar laws and regulations in other countries in which the Company operates (collectively, “EH&S laws”).
	The Company is exposed to liabilities under such EH&S laws arising from its past handling, release, storage, and disposal of materials now designated as hazardous substances and hazardous wastes. The Company previously has received notification from the EPA, equivalent state and local agencies or others alleging or indicating that the Company is or may be responsible for performing and/or investigating environmental remediation, or seeking the repayment of the costs spent by governmental entities or others performing investigations and/or remediation at certain U.S. sites under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act or similar state laws.
	The Company monitors and responds to inquiries from the EPA, equivalent state and local agencies and others at approximately 50 federally defined Superfund or state equivalent sites. While the ultimate outcome of the environmental matters described in this paragraph is uncertain due to several factors, including the number of other parties that may also be responsible, the scope of investigation performed at such sites and the remediation alternatives pursued by such federal and equivalent state and local agencies, the Company presently believes any liability for these matters, individually and in the aggregate, will not have a material adverse affect on the Company’s financial condition, cash flows or results of operations.
	The Company is also involved in the assessment and remediation of various other properties, including certain currently and formerly owned or operating facilities. Such assessment and remedial work is being conducted pursuant to applicable EH&S laws with varying degrees of involvement by appropriate regulatory authorities. In addition, certain environmental matters concerning the Company are pending in various courts or with certain environmental regulatory agencies with respect to these currently or formerly owned or operating locations. In particular, the Company’s Vernon, California recycling facility is currently unable to comply with certain recently enacted regulations, and may not resume operations until the installation of certain equipment is completed in or about December 2014 should the Company decide to proceed. Additionally, proposed legislation in California would require regulatory authorities to make a final determination on the Company's application for a permanent hazardous waste permit by December 31, 2015. If such legislation is enacted, the Company is uncertain whether it would be able to obtain such permit. The ultimate outcome of the environmental matters described in this paragraph is uncertain, and the Company’s failure to timely resume operations at the Vernon plant or obtain a permanent operating permit would have a material adverse affect on the Company’s financial condition, cash flows or results of operations.
	On April 12, 2013, the Company was served with a notification of violation and 60 day intent to sue regarding the Company's Vernon, California facility from the California Communities Against Toxics (CCAT). CCAT alleges the Company violated the warning requirement of the State of California's Proposition 65, the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act, regarding alleged community exposure to the chemical, 1,3-butadiene. Following the Company’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing, CCAT submitted a Proof of Claim in the Bankruptcy Court. The matter remains pending in the Bankruptcy Court.
	On May 28, 2013, the Company was served with a Notice of Intent to Sue by CCAT pursuant to the federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)'s citizens suit provision at 42 USC Section 6972, alleging that the Company has created an imminent and substantial endangerment to health and the environment in and around the Company's Vernon, California facility. Following the Company’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing, CCAT submitted a Proof of Claim in the Bankruptcy Court. The matter remains pending in the Bankruptcy Court.
	On March 26, 2014, the Company was served with a Proposition 65 notification of violation and 60 day intent to sue regarding the Vernon, California facility from Shefa LMV LLC (Shefa). Shefa alleges that Exide failed to warn the community regarding chemical exposures, and further alleges that Exide has released chemicals into a source of drinking water. The Company is evaluating the claim.
	On April 25, 2013, Zach Hernandez filed a purported class action lawsuit in the California Superior Court for the County of Los Angeles against the Company and Does 1-100 seeking damages and medical monitoring for an alleged class consisting of all Los Angeles County residents who allegedly have sustained physical or neurological injury or toxic exposure allegedly as the result of the release of allegedly hazardous waste or chemicals from the Company's facility located in Vernon, California. On June 10, 2013, the Company filed a voluntary petition for reorganization pursuant to Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code in the District of Delaware, and the case is stayed.
	On October 18, 2013, the South Coast Air Quality Monitoring District ("SCAQMD") filed a petition seeking the suspension of operations at the Vernon facility for alleged violation of an SCAQMD rule and related furnace control equipment permit conditions until compliance is achieved. The Company contested the SCAQMD's petition. A hearing on the SCAQMD’s petition commenced on December 14, 2013 and continued into calendar 2014.
	On April 11, 2014, as a result of the Vernon facility allegedly exceeding the SCAQMD ambient air standard for lead, the SCAQMD filed a second petition seeking an order that Exide “cease and desist” from violating air quality standards, or in the alternative, to comply with other such conditions and increments of progress which the SCAQMD Hearing Board deems appropriate.
	On January 10, 2014, the SCAQMD adopted an amended rule that contained new emissions and equipment requirements with varying compliance dates, including an April 10, 2014 deadline that would require the Company to operate the furnaces at the Vernon facility under continuous "negative pressure" ("Rule 1420.1"). In response, the Company initiated two separate related proceedings on February 7, 2014: (i) a Petition for Variance before the SCAQMD Hearing Board, requesting a delay of the negative pressure requirement until December 31, 2014, and (ii) a Writ of Mandamus in Superior Court of Los Angeles County, seeking to invalidate the negative pressure requirement of Rule 1420.1. Additionally, on February 21, 2014, the Company filed a request for a preliminary injunction that would temporarily suspend the April 10, 2014 deadline until such time as the Superior Court could conduct a trial on the Writ of Mandamus.
	On April 7, 2014, the Los Angeles County Superior Court denied the Company's preliminary injunction. Additionally, on April 8, 2014, the SCAQMD Hearing Board denied the Company's variance request. As a result of these two decisions, the Company suspended operations at the Vernon facility until such time as the Company can design, engineer, permit, install, and test new equipment needed to achieve the new standard under Rule 1420.1.
	On July 10, 2014 the SCAQMD Hearing Board approved a resolution of the Company's pending administrative matters with the SCAQMD through the issuance of the Stipulated OAs. The Stipulated OAs require the Company: (i) to refrain from resuming operations of the Vernon facility furnaces until it installs certain air quality control improvements required to comply with the newly-adopted Rule 1420.1 standards in accordance with SCAQMD issued permits and applicable SCAQMD rules; and (ii) to install those improvements in accordance with an SCAQMD approved dust mitigation plan. Concurrently, in a settlement agreement, the Company agreed to dismiss its Writ of Mandamus legal action. The Company currently estimates the full operation of the furnaces under continuous negative pressure will not occur until after installation of the aforesaid equipment expected to be completed in or about December 2014 should the Company decide to proceed.
	On January 16, 2014, the Company and unnamed individuals (“DOE Defendants”), were named as defendants in a civil lawsuit brought by the SCAQMD in the case captioned as People of the State of California, ex rel South Coast Air Quality Management District, a Public Entity v. Exide Technologies, Inc., and DOE Defendants 1 through 50. The SCAQMD alleges that the Company and the DOE Defendants failed to comply with several of the SCAQMD's rules related to operation of equipment or lead and arsenic emissions at the Company's Vernon, California lead recycling facility. The SCAQMD is seeking penalties in an amount not less than $40.0 million. The Company denies the allegations in the lawsuit and intends to vigorously defend itself against such allegations. The matter is just entering the discovery stage and the SCAQMD is amending its complaint to add additional factual allegations and causes of action, but seeks the same magnitude of penalties.
	On May 22, 2014, the Federal Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) served a Finding and Notice of Violation (“Federal NOV”) on Exide, alleging that Exide violated air quality standards for lead at various times in 2013 and 2014; the alleged violations are duplicative of those cited by the South Coast Air Quality Management District in its penalty action. EPA seeks civil penalties for these alleged violations. An initial conference was convened with the EPA on June 30, 2014 and discussions continue regarding a resolution to the notice.
	On September 24, 2013, the Company received a Notice of Enforcement issued by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (“TCEQ”) for alleged violations related to its Frisco, Texas recycling facility’s compliance with Industrial Solid Waste and Municipal Hazardous waste requirements. The Company reasonably believes the proceeding may result in monetary sanctions to be paid to TCEQ in excess of $0.1 million.
	The Company has established liabilities for on-site and off-site environmental remediation costs where such costs are probable and reasonably estimable and believes that such liabilities are adequate. As of March 31, 2014 and 2013, the amount of such liabilities on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets was approximately $25.5 million and $25.9 million, respectively. Because environmental liabilities are not accrued until a liability is determined to be probable and reasonably estimable, not all potential future environmental liabilities have been included in the Company’s environmental liabilities. Therefore, changes in estimates or future findings could have a material adverse affect on the Company’s financial condition, cash flows, or results of operations.
	The sites that currently have the largest reserves include the following:
	Tampa, Florida
	The Tampa site is a former secondary lead recycling plant, lead oxide production facility, and sheet lead-rolling mill that operated from 1943 to 1989. Under a RCRA Part B Closure Permit and a Consent Decree with the State of Florida, Exide is required to investigate and remediate certain historic environmental impacts to the site. Cost estimates for remediation (closure and post-closure) are expected to range from $13.0 million to $20.0 million depending on final State of Florida requirements. The remediation activities are expected to occur over the course of several years.
	Columbus, Georgia
	The Columbus site is a former secondary lead recycling plant that was taken out of service in 1999, but remains part of a larger facility that includes an operating lead-acid battery manufacturing facility. Groundwater remediation activities began in 1988. Costs for supplemental investigations, remediation and site closure are currently estimated at $6.0 million to $8.5 million.
	Guarantees
	At March 31, 2014, the Company had outstanding letters of credit with a face value of $64.7 million and surety bonds with a face value of $56.0 million. The majority of the letters of credit and surety bonds have been issued as collateral or financial assurance with respect to certain liabilities that the Company has recorded, including but not limited to environmental remediation obligations and self-insured workers’ compensation reserves. Failure of the Company to satisfy its obligations with respect to the primary obligations secured by the letters of credit or surety bonds could entitle the beneficiary of the related letter of credit or surety bond to demand payments pursuant to such instruments. The letters of credit generally have terms up to one year. Collateral held by the surety in the form of letters of credit at March 31, 2014, pursuant to the terms of the agreement, was $53.8 million.
	Certain of the Company’s European and Asia Pacific subsidiaries have bank guarantees outstanding as collateral or financial assurance in connection with environmental obligations, income tax claims and customer contract requirements. March 31, 2014, bank guarantees with an aggregate face value of $12.6 million were outstanding.
	Sales Returns and Allowances
	The Company provides for an allowance for product returns and/or allowances. Based upon product examination in the manufacturing re-work process, the Company believes that the majority of its product returns are not the result of product defects. The Company recognizes the estimated cost of product returns as a reduction of net sales in the period in which the related revenue is recognized. The product return estimates are based upon historical trends and claims experience, and include assessment of the anticipated lag between the date of sale and claim/return date.
	Changes in the Company’s sales returns and allowances liability (in thousands) are as follows:
		(In thousands)
	Balance at March 31, 2012	$	36,811
	Accrual for sales returns and allowances	31,390
	Settlements made (in cash or credit) and currency translation	(32,882		)
	Balance at March 31, 2013	$	35,319
	Accrual for sales returns and allowances	42,400
	Settlements made (in cash or credit) and currency translation	(44,946		)
	Balance at March 31, 2014	$	32,773
	Leases
	Future minimum lease payments under operating and capital leases that have initial or remaining non-cancelable lease terms in excess of one year at March 31, 2014, are:
	Fiscal Year	Operating			Capital
		(In thousands)
	2015	$	21,819		$	2,567
	2016	14,678			775
	2017	9,247			777
	2018	6,432			798
	2019	3,805			568
	Thereafter	4,138			657
	Total minimum payments	$	60,119		6,142
	Less—interest on capital leases				71
	Total principal payable on capital leases (included in long-term debt)				$	6,071
Under the Bankruptcy Code, the Debtors may assume or reject executory contracts including lease obligations, therefore, the commitments shown above may not reflect actual cash outlays in the future.
Rent expense amounted to $46.2 million, $50.6 million, and $50.5 million, for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively.

Restructuring_and_Impairments_

Restructuring and Impairments, Net	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]	'
RESTRUCTURING AND IMPAIRMENTS, NET	'
	RESTRUCTURING AND IMPAIRMENTS, NET
	The Company continued to implement operational changes to streamline and rationalize its structure in an effort to simplify the organization and eliminate redundant and/or unnecessary costs. As part of these restructuring programs, the nature of the positions eliminated range from plant employees and clerical workers to operational, sales management, and divisional leadership.
	During fiscal 2014, the Company recorded restructuring charges of $25.0 million, representing $17.4 million severance and $7.6 million closure costs. These restructuring charges primarily represent consolidation efforts in the Company’s workforce of approximately 218 positions. The impairments relate to closed facilities and other asset write offs of $2.9 million.
	The following summarizes restructuring reserve activity and gain on asset sales/impairments, net:
		Severance			Closure Costs			Total			Gain on Asset Sales/Impairments, net		Total
		Costs						Restructuring					Restructuring /
													Impairments, net
		(In thousands)
	Balance at March 31, 2011	$	18,732		$	4,607		$	23,339
	Expenses	7,858			(753		)	7,105			$	3,773	$	10,878
	Payments and currency translation	(16,189		)	(507		)	(16,696		)
	Balance at March 31, 2012	10,401			3,347			13,748
	Expenses	8,451			2,892			11,343			$	60,152	$	71,495
	Payments and currency translation	(12,802		)	(2,663		)	(15,465		)
	Balance at March 31, 2013	6,050			3,576			9,626
	Expenses	17,428			7,615			25,043			$	2,946	$	27,989
	Payments and currency translation	(15,557		)	(4,477		)	(20,034		)
		$	7,921		$	6,714		$	14,635
	Reclassified to liabilities subject to compromise							(7,274		)
	Balance at March 31, 2014							$	7,361
	Remaining expenditures principally represent (i) severance and related benefits payable per employee agreements and/or regulatory requirements, (ii) lease commitments for certain closed facilities, branches and offices, as well as leases for excess and permanently idle equipment payable in accordance with contractual terms, and (iii) certain other closure costs including dismantlement and costs associated with removal obligations incurred in connection with the exit of facilities.
	Restructuring and impairments, net by operating segment:
		For the Twelve Months Ended
		31-Mar-14			31-Mar-13			31-Mar-12
		(In thousands)
	Transportation Americas	$	16,451		$	57,104		$	2,369
	Transportation Europe & ROW	4,421			8,163			4,115
	Industrial Energy Americas	417			1,136			652
	Industrial Energy Europe & ROW	6,321			4,613			2,301
	Unallocated	379			479			1,441
	Total	$	27,989		$	71,495		$	10,878

Earnings_Loss_Per_Share

Earnings (Loss) Per Share	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
(LOSS) EARNINGS PER SHARE	'
	The Company computes basic earnings (loss) per share by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings (loss) per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) by diluted weighted average shares outstanding.
	Potentially dilutive shares include the assumed exercise of stock options and the assumed vesting of restricted stock and stock unit awards (using the treasury stock method) as well as the assumed conversion of the convertible debt, if dilutive (using the if-converted method).  Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share are summarized as follows:
		For the Twelve Months Ended
		31-Mar-14				31-Mar-13			31-Mar-12
		(In thousands, except per share amounts)
	Net income (loss) attributable to Exide Technologies	$	(217,810	)		$	(223,399	)	$	56,739
	Basic weighted average shares outstanding	77,925				77,270			77,667
	Effect of dilutive securities:
	Senior Subordinated Notes	—				—			3,697
	Employee stock options	—				—			292
	Employee restricted stock awards (non-vested)	—				—			425
		—				—			4,414
	Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	77,925				77,270			82,081
	Basic earnings (loss) per share	$	(2.80	)		$	(2.89	)	$	0.73
	Diluted earnings (loss) per share	$	(2.80	)		$	(2.89	)	$	0.69
	Due to a net loss for fiscal years 2014 and 2013 certain potentially dilutive shares were excluded from the diluted earnings (loss) per share calculation because their effect would be antidilutive:
		March 31, 2014			March 31, 2013
		(In thousands)
	Shares associated with convertible debt (assumed conversion)	3,697			3,697
	Employee stock options	1,646			2,872
	Restricted stock awards (non-vested)	388			1,502
	Total shares excluded	5,731			8,071
	For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012 approximately 1.6 million, 2.9 million, and 1.8 million stock options, respectively, were excluded from the diluted earnings (loss) per share calculation because their exercise prices were greater than the average market price of the related common stock for the period, and their inclusion would be antidilutive. The remaining options were included in the treasury stock method calculation, and the resulting incremental shares were included in the calculation of diluted earnings (loss) per share.

Interest_Expense_Net

Interest Expense, Net	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Interest Expense [Abstract]	'
INTEREST EXPENSE, NET	'
	INTEREST EXPENSE, NET
	Interest income of $1.0 million, $1.0 million, and $1.5 million, is included in interest expense, net for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively.

Other_Income_Expense_Net

Other (Income) Expense, Net	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Other (Income) Expense, Net [Abstract]	'
OTHER EXPENSE (INCOME), NET	'
	OTHER (INCOME) EXPENSE, NET
	Other (income) expense, net consist of:
		For the Twelve Months Ended
		31-Mar-14			31-Mar-13			31-Mar-12
		(In thousands)
	Currency remeasurement loss (gain) (1)	$	(4,321	)	$	2,883		$	10,036
	Gain on interest rate swap settlements	—			—			(4,578		)
	Other	(1,150		)	(356		)	(347		)
	Total other (income) expense, net	$	(5,471	)	$	2,527		$	5,111
	-1	The currency remeasurement gain relates primarily to intercompany loans to foreign subsidiaries denominated in the Belarus Ruble, the Euro, and the Australian dollar.

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS	'
	FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
	The Company used available market information and appropriate methodologies believed to be appropriate to estimate the fair value of its financial instruments. Considerable judgment is required in interpreting market data to develop these estimates. Accordingly, the estimates presented herein are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that the Company could realize in a current market exchange. Certain of these financial instruments are with major financial institutions and expose the Company to market and credit risks and may at times be concentrated with certain counterparties or groups of counterparties. The creditworthiness of counterparties is continually reviewed, and full performance is currently anticipated.
	The Company’s cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, DIP Credit Facility, and short-term borrowings all have carrying amounts that are a reasonable estimate of their fair values. The carrying values and estimated fair values of the Company’s long-term obligations and other financial instruments are as follows:
		31-Mar-14						31-Mar-13
		Carrying Value			Estimated Fair			Carrying Value			Estimated Fair
					Value						Value
		(In thousands)
	Asset (Liability):
	Senior secured notes (1)	$	(734,474	)	$	(560,955	)	$	(675,000	)	$	(580,500	)
	Convertible senior subordinated notes (1)	(51,900		)	(12,988		)	(55,750		)	(52,864		)
	Foreign currency forwards (2)	—			—			(25		)	(25		)
	Commodity swap / forward (2)	(1,709		)	(1,709		)	141			141
	-1	Classified as liabilities subject to compromise
	-2	These financial instruments are required to be measured at fair value, and are based on inputs as described in the three-tier hierarchy that prioritizes inputs used in measuring fair value as of the reported date:
	•Level 1 – Observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities;
	•Level 2 – Inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are observable either directly or indirectly; and
	•	Level 3 – Inputs from valuation techniques in which one or more key value drivers are not observable, and must be based on the reporting entity’s own assumptions.
	The following table represents the Company's financial instruments that were measured at fair value at March 31, 2014 and 2013 and the basis for that measurement:
		Total			Quoted Price in			Significant			Significant
		Fair Value			Active Markets			Other			Unobservable
		Measurement			for			Observable			Inputs
					Identical Assets			Inputs			(Level 3)
					(Level 1)			(Level 2)
		(In thousands)
	March 31, 2014:
	Asset (Liability):
	Commodity swap / forward	$	(1,709	)	$	—		$	(1,709	)	$	—
	March 31, 2013:
	Asset (Liability):
	Foreign currency forward	(25		)	—			(25		)	—
	Commodity swap	141			—			141			—
	The Company uses a market approach to determine the fair values of all of its derivative instruments subject to recurring fair value measurements. The fair value of each financial instrument was determined based upon observable forward prices for the related underlying financial index or commodity price, and each has been classified as Level 2 based on the nature of the underlying markets in which those derivatives are traded.
	The following table summarizes the investments that comprise the assets of the Company’s pension plans (see Note 10), all of which are measured at fair value on a recurring basis, and the basis for that measurement:
		Total			Quoted Price in			Significant			Significant
		Fair Value			Active Markets			Other			Unobservable
		Measurement			for			Observable			Inputs
					Identical Assets			Inputs			(Level 3)
					(Level 1)			(Level 2)
		(In thousands)
	31-Mar-14
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	6,235		$	6,235		$	—		$	—
	Equity funds - U.S.-based companies	142,803			—			142,803			—
	Equity funds - international-based companies	43,840			—			43,840			—
	Fixed income funds	325,648			—			325,648			—
	Other	9,053			—			9,053			—
	Total pension assets	$	527,579		$	6,235		$	521,344		$	—
	March 31, 2013
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	11,536		$	11,536		$	—		$	—
	Equity funds - U.S.-based companies	87,466			—			87,466			—
	Equity funds - international-based companies	113,655			—			113,655			—
	Fixed income funds	282,582			—			282,582			—
	Other	2,338			—			2,338			—
	Total pension assets	$	497,577		$	11,536		$	486,041		$	—
	Cash and cash equivalents consist primarily of excess cash balances in the plans’ investment accounts, and are classified as Level 1. The fair value of the plans’ investment funds are based on net asset value, which is based on quoted market prices of the underlying assets owned by the fund (reduced by its liabilities).

Related_Party_Transactions

Related Party Transactions	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]	'
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTION	'
	RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
	Robert M. Caruso, the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer, and Edgar W. Mosley Jr., the Company's Chief Restructuring Officer, are employed by Alvarez & Marsal North America, LLC ("Alvarez & Marsal" or "A&M") as Managing Director and Senior Director, respectively. A&M has been retained by the Company in connection with our Chapter 11 restructuring. Mr. Caruso, who has been associated with A&M since 2006, remains a Managing Director of A&M while serving as the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Mosley has been with A&M since 2008, and remains a Senior Director of A&M while serving as the Company's Chief Restructuring Officer. In addition, Mr. Caruso holds a minority equity interest in A&M's parent company which indirectly entitles him to a share of A&M's profits.
	Pursuant to an Agreement dated June 9, 2013, as amended by a Letter Agreement dated July 25, 2013 between the Company and A&M (the "Services Agreement"), the Company retained A&M in connection with it's Chapter 11 restructuring. Under the Services Agreement, the Company is charged monthly fees for the services of Mr. Caruso and Mr. Mosley and hourly fees for the services of other temporary personnel of A&M and its affiliates who are providing services to the Company (in an officer capacity or otherwise) and such temporary personnel (including Mr. Caruso and Mr. Mosley) are compensated by A&M independently pursuant to their arrangements with A&M. The Services Agreement also provides for payment of a one-time success fee to A&M as a result of our emergence from Chapter 11. The amount of the success fee could be up to $1.8 million, at the discretion of the Board of Directors and subject to approval by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court. Fees and expenses the Company incurred under the Services Agreement amounted to $22.6 million for the twelve months ended March 31, 2014.
	The Company understands from Mr. Caruso and Mr. Mosley that they do not and will not, as applicable, directly receive a portion of the fees paid by the Company to A&M in respect of their hourly fees, the overall fee, the success fee or any other fees relating to any other aspect of the Company's engagement of A&M. However, Mr. Caruso and Mr. Mosley may be entitled to discretionary bonuses at the end of each A&M fiscal year which may, similar to other professional services firms, take into account revenues and expenses related to matters on which they have worked or managed. A&M has disclosed that the ultimate amount of Messrs. Caruso's and Mosley's compensation, which has not yet been determined, will depend on a number of factors related to, among other things, their performance as employees, their contribution to the revenue generating activities (including but not limited to the engagement for the Company) and A&M's overall financial results.

Supplemental_Information

Supplemental Information	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Equity [Abstract]	'
Supplemental Information	'
	SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
	The accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income consisted of the following:
		Defined			Derivatives			Cumulative			Total
		Benefit Plans (1)			Qualifying			Translation
					as Hedges (2)			Adjustment
		(In thousands)
	As of March 31, 2011	$	(26,893	)	$	(10	)	$	76,443		$	49,540
	Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications	(42,342		)	(4,018		)	(22,866		)	(69,226		)
	Amounts reclassified from AOCI	(708		)	3,901			—			3,193
	Net change in other comprehensive (loss) income	(43,050		)	(117		)	(22,866		)	(66,033		)
	As of March 31, 2012	$	(69,943	)	$	(127	)	$	53,577		$	(16,493	)
	Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications	(11,332		)	(3,276		)	(17,354		)	(31,962		)
	Amounts reclassified from AOCI	(2,387		)	3,403			—			1,016
	Net change in other comprehensive (loss) income	(13,719		)	127			(17,354		)	(30,946		)
	As of March 31, 2013	$	(83,662	)	$	—		$	36,223		$	(47,439	)
	Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications	15,602			—			23,745			39,347
	Amounts reclassified from AOCI	(3,357		)	—			—			(3,357		)
	Net change in other comprehensive (loss) income	12,245			—			23,745			35,990
	As of March 31, 2014	$	(71,417	)	$	—		$	59,968		$	(11,449	)
	-1	See Note 10 for additional information on employee benefit plans.
	-2	See Note 4 for additional information on derivatives.

Segment_Information

Segment Information	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
SEGMENT INFORMATION	'
	SEGMENT INFORMATION
	The Company reports its results in four business segments: Transportation Americas, Transportation Europe and ROW, Industrial Energy Americas and Industrial Energy Europe and ROW. The Company is a global producer and recycler of lead-acid batteries. The Company’s four business segments provide a comprehensive range of stored electrical energy products and services for transportation and industrial applications.
	Transportation markets include OE and aftermarket batteries for cars, trucks, off-road vehicles, agricultural and construction vehicles, motorcycles, recreational vehicles, marine, and other applications. Industrial markets include batteries for Motive Power and Network Power applications. Motive Power batteries are used in the materials handling industry for electric forklift trucks, and in other industries, including floor cleaning machinery, powered wheelchairs, railroad locomotives, mining and the electric road vehicles market. Network Power batteries are used for backup power for use with telecommunications systems, computer installations, hospitals, air traffic control, security systems, utility, railway and military applications.
	The Company’s four reportable segments are determined based upon the nature of the markets served and the geographic regions in which they operate. The Company’s chief operating decision-maker monitors and manages the financial performance of these four business groups. Costs of shared services and other corporate costs are not allocated or charged to the business groups.
	Selected financial information concerning the Company’s reportable segments is as follows:
		For the Twelve Months Ended
		31-Mar-14			31-Mar-13			31-Mar-12
		(In thousands)
	Net sales
	Transportation Americas	$	760,412		$	879,831		$	907,838
	Transportation Europe & ROW	930,036			926,978			1,014,292
	Industrial Energy Americas	365,633			368,386			339,328
	Industrial Energy Europe & ROW	799,352			796,503			823,192
		$	2,855,433		$	2,971,698		$	3,084,650
	Operating income (loss) by segment
	Transportation Americas	$	(7,739	)	$	(23,158	)	$	9,513
	Transportation Europe & ROW	19,561			20,335			55,928
	Industrial Energy Americas	25,185			28,266			41,657
	Industrial Energy Europe & ROW	16,004			21,787			14,435
	Unallocated corporate	(34,034		)	(29,096		)	(31,780		)
		18,977			18,134			89,753
	Restructuring and impairments, net	(27,989		)	(71,495		)	(10,878		)
		$	(9,012	)	$	(53,361	)	$	78,875
	Depreciation & Amortization
	Transportation Americas	$	25,476		$	28,465		$	28,215
	Transportation Europe & ROW	21,513			19,052			18,590
	Industrial Energy Americas	11,514			10,963			11,701
	Industrial Energy Europe & ROW	18,024			17,386			21,039
	Unallocated corporate	4,753			4,321			4,808
		$	81,280		$	80,187		$	84,353
	Capital expenditures
	Transportation Americas	$	27,709		$	32,105		$	38,872
	Transportation Europe & ROW	33,242			36,323			40,195
	Industrial Energy Americas	4,128			9,313			7,392
	Industrial Energy Europe & ROW	12,896			16,120			15,915
	Unallocated corporate	3,794			7,640			7,462
		$	81,769		$	101,501		$	109,836
	Geographic information is as follows:
		Revenues from External Customers
		For the Twelve Months Ended
		31-Mar-14			31-Mar-13			31-Mar-12
		(In thousands)
	United States	$	1,126,045		$	1,248,217		$	1,247,166
	France	190,112			190,730			200,456
	Germany	393,314			382,521			434,051
	Italy	236,416			217,403			229,271
	Spain	263,583			238,235			252,801
	Poland	114,388			105,813			107,519
	Other	531,575			588,779			613,386
	Total	$	2,855,433		$	2,971,698		$	3,084,650
		Long-Lived Assets
		31-Mar-14			31-Mar-13
		(In thousands)
	United States	$	228,861		$	235,665
	France	16,603			15,807
	Germany	63,820			62,203
	Italy	63,091			55,505
	Spain	94,895			86,267
	Poland	57,927			48,734
	Other	51,215			53,934
	Total	$	576,412		$	558,115

Selected_Quarterly_Financial_D

Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]	'
SELECTED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (Unaudited)	'
	SELECTED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (Unaudited)
	The following is a summary of the Company’s quarterly consolidated results of operations:
		Three Months Ended
		30-Jun-13			30-Sep-13			31-Dec-13			31-Mar-14
		(In thousands, except per share data)
	Net sales	$	682,242		$	697,802		$	759,666		$	715,723
	Gross profit	76,039			96,734			110,024			101,663
	Operating income (loss)	(24,854		)	5,439			12,027			(1,624		)
	Loss before income taxes	(90,913		)	(36,990		)	(33,133		)	(50,536		)
	Net loss attributable to Exide Technologies	(91,133		)	(40,175		)	(34,692		)	(51,810		)
	Loss per share:
	Basic	$	(1.17	)	$	(0.51	)	$	(0.44	)	$	(0.66	)
	Diluted	$	(1.17	)	$	(0.51	)	$	(0.44	)	$	(0.66	)
		Three Months Ended
		30-Jun-12			30-Sep-12			31-Dec-12			31-Mar-13
		(In thousands, except per share data)
	Net sales	$	693,438		$	711,692		$	804,879		$	761,689
	Gross profit	94,255			103,659			120,070			89,310
	Operating income (loss)	1,054			6,836			4,726			(65,974		)
	Loss before income taxes	(14,656		)	(9,880		)	(11,639		)	(87,001		)
	Net loss attributable to Exide Technologies	(106,498		)	(13,878		)	(15,443		)	(87,580		)
	Loss per share:
	Basic	$	(1.38	)	$	(0.18	)	$	(0.20	)	$	(1.13	)
	Diluted	$	(1.38	)	$	(0.18	)	$	(0.20	)	$	(1.13	)
	The three months ended March 31, 2014 included a $2.5 million out of period correction to increase cost of sales, decrease inventory, and increase net loss related to errors in the first three quarters of fiscal 2014 of $0.5 million, $0.4 million, and $1.6 million, respectively. There is no impact to cash flows. None of the out of period amounts are material to any of the related quarters.
	The Company recorded $55.1 million of restructuring and impairment in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013.

Schedule_II_Valuation_and_Qual

Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts [Abstract]	'
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts - Schedule II	'
	Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
	Schedule II
		Balance at		Additions /	Deductions/		Currency		Balance
		Beginning		Adjustments	Charge-		Translation		at end
		of period		Charged to	offs				of period
				Expense
		(In thousands)
	Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
	For the Twelve Months Ended:
	31-Mar-12	$	29,227	1,529	(9,039	)	(1,378	)	$	20,339
	31-Mar-13	$	20,339	1,284	(928	)	(592	)	$	20,103
	31-Mar-14	$	20,103	1,270	(2,324	)	440		$	19,489
	Valuation Allowance on Deferred Tax Assets
	For the Twelve Months Ended:
	31-Mar-12	$	239,509	4,736	(125,983	)	(14,723	)	$	103,539
	31-Mar-13	$	103,539	141,655	(1,793	)	(666	)	$	242,735
	31-Mar-14	$	242,735	60,588	(17,671	)	1,279		$	286,931

Basis_of_Presentation_and_Summ1

Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Principles of Consolidation	'
	Principles of Consolidation
	The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Exide Technologies and all of its majority owned subsidiaries in which it exercises control. Investments in affiliates of less than a 20.0% interest are generally accounted for by the cost method. Investments in 20.0% to 50.0% owned companies are generally accounted for by the equity method. All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated.
Major Customers and Concentration of Credit	'
	Major Customers and Concentration of Credit
	The Company has a number of major end-user customers, retail and OEM, both in the Americas and Europe. No single customer accounted for more than 10.0% of consolidated net sales during any of the fiscal years presented.
Foreign Currency Translation	'
	Foreign Currency Translation
	The functional currencies of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries are primarily the respective local currencies. Assets and liabilities of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries and affiliates are translated into U.S. Dollars at the year-end exchange rate, and revenues and expenses are translated at average monthly exchange rates. Translation gains and losses are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) within stockholders’ equity. Foreign currency gains and losses from certain intercompany transactions are also recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). All other foreign currency gains and losses are included in other expense (income), net.
Cash Equivalents	'
	Cash Equivalents
	Cash equivalents consist of highly liquid instruments with maturities at the time of acquisition of three months or less. Cash equivalents are stated at cost, which approximates fair value because of the short-term maturity of these instruments.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts	'
	Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
	The Company maintains allowances for doubtful accounts for estimated probable losses resulting from the inability of the Company’s customers to make required payments. The Company continues to assess the adequacy of the reserves for doubtful accounts based on the financial condition of the Company’s customers and other external factors that may impact collectibility. The majority of the Company’s accounts receivable are due from trade customers. Credit is extended based on an evaluation of the Company’s customers’ financial condition and generally, collateral is not required. Payment terms vary and accounts receivable are stated in the Consolidated Financial Statements at amounts due from customers net of an allowance for doubtful accounts. Accounts outstanding for longer than the payment terms are considered past due. The Company considers a number of factors in determining the allowance for doubtful accounts, including the length of time trade accounts receivable are past due, the customers’ current ability to pay their obligations to the Company, the Company’s previous loss history, and the condition of the general economy and the industry as a whole. The Company writes off accounts receivable when they become uncollectible. The Company’s accounts receivable balance at March 31, 2014 and 2013 reflects an allowance for doubtful accounts of $19.5 million and $20.1 million, respectively.
Inventories	'
	Inventories
	Inventories, which consist of material, labor and overhead, are stated at the lower of cost or market using the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method. The Company writes down its inventory to estimated net realizable value (when below historical cost) based on assumptions of future demand and market conditions.
Property, Plant and Equipment	'
	Property, Plant and Equipment
	Depreciation is provided on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets. The range of original estimated useful lives is: buildings and improvements, 25-40 years; machinery and equipment, 3-14 years. Cost and accumulated depreciation for property retired or disposed of are removed from the accounts, and any gain or loss on disposal is credited or charged to earnings. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred. Additions, improvements and major renewals are capitalized.
Deferred Financing Costs	'
	Deferred Financing Costs
	Deferred financing costs are amortized to interest expense over the life of the related debt.
Valuation of Long-Lived Assets	'
	Valuation of Long-Lived Assets
	The Company’s long-lived assets include property, plant and equipment and identified intangible assets. Long-lived assets (other than indefinite lived intangible assets) are depreciated over their estimated useful lives, and are reviewed for impairment whenever changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. Recoverability of asset groups to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of long-lived assets to future undiscounted net cash flows expected to be generated by these asset groups. If such asset groups are considered to be impaired, the impairment recognized is the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset group exceeds the fair value of the asset group. Assets held for sale are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less estimated costs of disposal and are no longer depreciated. Indefinite-lived intangible assets are reviewed for impairment on both an annual basis and whenever changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. The fair value of indefinite-lived intangible assets is based upon the Company’s estimates of future cash flows and other factors including discount rates to determine the fair value of the respective assets. If these long-lived assets or their related assumptions change in the future, the Company may be required to record impairment charges.
Sales Returns and Allowances	'
	Sales Returns and Allowances
	The Company provides for an allowance for product returns and/or allowances. Based upon its manufacturing re-work process, the Company believes that the majority of its product returns are not the result of product defects. The Company recognizes the estimated cost of product returns as a reduction of sales in the period in which the related revenue is recognized. The product return estimates are based upon historical trends and claims experience, and include an assessment of the anticipated lag between the date of sale and claim/return date.
Income Taxes	'
	Income Taxes
	The Company accounts for income taxes using the liability method in accounting for deferred taxes. If it is more likely than not that some portion, or all, of a deferred tax asset will not be realized, a valuation allowance is recognized.
Revenue Recognition	'
	Revenue Recognition
	The Company records sales when revenue is earned. Shipping terms are generally FOB shipping point and revenue is recognized when product is shipped to the customer. In limited cases, terms are FOB destination and in these cases, revenue is recognized when product is delivered to the customer’s delivery site.
Accounting for Shipping and Handling Costs	'
	Accounting for Shipping and Handling Costs
	The Company records shipping and handling costs incurred in cost of sales and records shipping and handling costs billed to customers in net sales.
Advertising	'
	Advertising
	The Company expenses advertising costs as they are incurred.
Net Earnings (Loss) per share	'
	Net Earnings (Loss) Per Share
	The Company computes basic earnings (loss) per share by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings (loss) per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) by diluted weighted average shares outstanding. Potentially dilutive shares include the assumed exercise of stock options and the assumed vesting of restricted stock and stock unit awards (using the treasury stock method) as well as the assumed conversion of the Company’s floating rate Convertible Notes, if dilutive. The potential dilutive effect of the assumed conversion of convertible debt is determined using the if-converted method, and considers both the impact of incremented common shares after an assumed conversion, and the related addition to net income (loss) of the after-tax interest recognized during the period on the convertible debt.
Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements	'
	Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Consolidated Financial Statements
	The preparation of Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the Consolidated Financial Statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could materially differ from those estimates.

Proceedings_Under_Chapter_11_o1

Proceedings Under Chapter 11 of The Bankruptcy Code (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Reorganizations [Abstract]	'
Reorganization Items, Consolidated Financial Statements	'
	Reorganization items included in the Consolidated Financial Statements included costs directly related to the Chapter 11 proceedings, as follows:
		For the Twelve Months Ended
		31-Mar-14
		(In thousands)
	Professional fees	$	77,889
	Write off debt financing costs/other	12,301
	Other direct costs	3,399
		$	93,589
Liabilities Subject to Comprise	'
	Liabilities subject to compromise include the following:
		31-Mar-14
		(In thousands)
	Debt	$	788,376
	Accrued interest	10,515
	Accounts payable	72,275
	Retirement obligations	52,864
	Restructuring reserve	7,274
	Other accrued liabilities	19,339
		$	950,643

Debtors_Financial_Statements_T

Debtor's Financial Statements (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Condensed Financial Information of Parent Company Only Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Condensed Income Statement	'
	Debtor's Statements of Operations
		For the Twelve Months Ended
		March 31, 2014
		(In thousands)
	Net sales	$	1,125,058
	Cost of sales	978,061
	Gross profit	146,997
	Selling and administrative expenses	153,999
	Restructuring and impairments, net	16,745
	Operating loss	(23,747		)
	Other income, net	(25,509		)
	Loss in net earnings of subsidiaries	29,770
	Interest expense, net	97,864
	Loss before reorganization items	(125,872		)
	Reorganization items	91,769
	Loss before income taxes	(217,641		)
	Income tax provision	169
	Net loss attributable to Debtor	$	(217,810	)
Schedule of Condensed Balance Sheet	'
	Debtor's Balance Sheet
		March 31, 2014
		(In thousands)
	ASSETS
	Current assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	17,349
	Accounts receivable, net	133,384
	Non-Debtor receivables	40,550
	Inventories	196,129
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	37,594
	Total current assets	425,006
	Property, plant and equipment, net	228,297
	Other assets:
	Investments in non-Debtor subsidiaries	400,048
	Non-Debtor loans	240,505
	Other noncurrent assets	84,734
	Total other assets	725,287
	Total assets	$	1,378,590
	LIABILITIES AND DEBTOR'S EQUITY
	Current liabilities:
	Current maturities of long-term debt	$	284,625
	Accounts payable and accrued expenses	110,812
	Total current liabilities	395,437
	Other noncurrent liabilities	60,442
	Liabilities not subject to compromise	455,879
	Liabilities subject to compromise	950,643
	DEBTOR'S EQUITY
	Total Debtor's equity	(27,932		)
	Total liabilities and Debtor's equity	$	1,378,590
Schedule of Condensed Cash Flow Statement	'
	Debtor's Statements of Cash Flows
		For the Twelve Months Ended
		March 31, 2014
		(In thousands)
	Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
	Net cash used in operating activities	$	(216,095	)
	Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
	Capital expenditures	(38,374		)
	Proceeds from asset sales	169
	Net cash used in investing activities	(38,205		)
	Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
	Increase in debt	275,000
	Financing fees and other	(29,770		)
	Net cash provided by financing activities	245,230
	Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(9,070		)
	Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	26,419
	Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	17,349

Accounting_for_Derivatives_Tab

Accounting for Derivatives (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Presentation of derivative instruments, balance sheet	'
	The following tables set forth information on the presentation of these derivative instruments in the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements:
		Balance Sheet	31-Mar-14			31-Mar-13
			(In thousands)
	Asset Derivatives:
	Commodity swaps / forwards	Current assets	$	—		$	141
	Liability Derivatives:
	Commodity swaps / forwards	Current liabilities	1,709			—
	Foreign exchange forwards	Current liabilities	—			25
Presentation of derivative instruments, statement of operations	'
			For the Twelve Months Ended
			31-Mar-14			March 31, 2013			March 31, 2012
			(In thousands)
	Foreign Exchange Forwards	Other income, net
	(Gain) / loss		$	(25	)	$	(2,652	)	$	(6,051	)
	Commodity Swaps / Forwards
	(Gain) / loss	Cost of sales	1,587			1,302			3,970
	Interest Rate Swap
	(Gain) / loss	Interest expense, net	(94		)	(2,053		)	(1,820		)

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets1

Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Summary of goodwill and intangible assets	'
	Goodwill and intangibles, net consisted of the following:
		Goodwill		Trademarks		Trademarks			Customer			Technology			Total
		(not subject  to		and		and			Relationships
		amortization)		Tradenames		Tradenames
				(not subject to		(subject to
				amortization)		amortization)
		(In thousands)
	As of March 31, 2014
	Gross amount	$	916	$	61,532	$	13,996		$	107,993		$	26,030		$	210,467
	Accumulated amortization	—		—		(10,961		)	(44,349		)	(12,776		)	(68,086		)
		$	916	$	61,532	$	3,035		$	63,644		$	13,254		$	142,381
	As of March 31, 2013
	Gross amount	$	1,014	$	60,105	$	13,671		$	104,534		$	25,411		$	204,735
	Accumulated amortization	—		—		(9,627		)	(38,591		)	(11,207		)	(59,425		)
		$	1,014	$	60,105	$	4,044		$	65,943		$	14,204		$	145,310

Inventories_Tables

Inventories (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Components of Inventories, valued using the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method	'
	Inventories, valued using the FIFO method, consist of:
		31-Mar-14		31-Mar-13
		(In thousands)
	Raw materials	$	94,694	$	89,925
	Work-in-process	115,731		106,194
	Finished goods	272,793		292,102
		$	483,218	$	488,221

Property_Plant_and_Equipment_T

Property, Plant and Equipment (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment	'
	Property, plant and equipment, net consist of:
		31-Mar-14			31-Mar-13
		(In thousands)
	Land	$	54,725		$	55,443
	Buildings and improvements	255,034			253,960
	Machinery and equipment	816,889			802,414
	Construction in progress	53,455			59,176
		1,180,103			1,170,993
	Accumulated depreciation	(603,691		)	(612,878		)
	Property, plant and equipment, net	$	576,412		$	558,115

Other_Noncurrent_Assets_Tables

Other Noncurrent Assets (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Other noncurrent assets	'
	Other noncurrent assets consisted of the following:
		31-Mar-14		31-Mar-13
		(In thousands)
	Deposits (1)	$	4,040	$	3,885
	Deferred financing costs	14,773		16,080
	Investment in affiliates	549		1,877
	Capitalized software, net	3,864		3,993
	Loan to affiliate	—		1,005
	Retirement plans	14,941		17,655
	Other	12,503		6,554
		$	50,670	$	51,049
	-1	Deposits principally represent amounts held by beneficiaries as cash collateral for the Company’s contingent obligations with respect to certain environmental matters, workers' compensation insurance, and operating lease commitments.

Debt_Tables

Debt (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Total long-term debt	'
	Total long-term debt at March 31, 2014 and 2013 consisted of the following:
		31-Mar-14			31-Mar-13
		(In thousands)
	DIP credit facility	$	284,625		$	—
	8 5/8% senior secured notes due 2018 (1)	—			675,000
	Floating rate convertible senior subordinated notes due 2013 (1)	—			55,750
	Other, including capital lease obligations (see Note 13) and other loans at interest rates averaging approximately 6.2% due in installments through 2019	19,294			20,457
		303,919			751,207
	Fair value adjustments on hedged debt	—			2,788
		303,919			753,995
	Current maturities	(288,386		)	(60,131		)
	Total long-term debt	$	15,533		$	693,864
	-1	The pre-petition debt of the Debtor was reclassified to liabilities subject to compromise. Refer to Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on the Chapter 11 proceedings.
Annual principal payments required under long-term debt obligations	'
	Annual principal payments required under the DIP Credit Agreement and other long-term debt obligations at March 31, 2014 are as follows:
	2015	$	288,386
	2016	2,336
	2017	2,404
	2018	2,495
	2019	2,246
	2020 and beyond	6,052
	Total	$	303,919

Employee_Benefit_Plans_and_Pos1

Employee Benefit Plans and Post-Retirement Health Care and Life Insurance Benefits (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'
Schedule of assumptions used	'
		Pension									Other Post-Retirement
	Expense Assumptions:	Benefits / Expense									Benefits / Expense
	Weighted-average assumptions for:	FY 2014			FY 2013			FY 2012			FY 2014		FY 2013		FY 2012
	Discount rate	4.2	%		4.5	%		5.4	%		4.3	%	4.3	%	5.1	%
	Expected return on plan assets	6.2	%		6.2	%		7.1	%		n/a		n/a		n/a
	Rate of compensation increase	2.5	%		2.5	%		2.6	%		n/a		n/a		n/a
Schedule of amounts in accumulated other comprehensive income that have not yet been recognized	'
	The changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive (loss) income at March 31, 2014 are as follows:
		Pension				Post-retirement
		Benefits				Health and Other
						Benefits
		(In thousands)
	Accumulated other comprehensive loss:
	Net (gain) loss arising during the period	$	1,545			$	(4,296	)
	Net prior service cost during the period	(65		)		490
	Net loss recognized during the period	(4,657		)		(673		)
	Exchange rate gain (loss) recognized during the period	1,432				(234		)
	Total	$	(1,745	)		$	(4,713	)
Schedule of amounts in accumulated other comprehensive income expected to be recognized over the next fiscal year	'
	The following amounts are expected to be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into net periodic benefit cost in the next fiscal year are as follows:
		Pension				Post-retirement
		Benefits				Health and Other
						Benefits
		(In thousands)
	Prior service cost/(credit)	$	66			$	(490	)
	Actuarial loss	3,015				346
	Total	$	3,081			$	(144	)
Schedule of expected future benefit payments	'
	Expected future benefit payments are as follows:
						Other Post-Retirement
		Pension				Gross Expected
		Benefits				Benefit Payments
	Fiscal Year	(In thousands)
	2015	$	43,965			$	1,691
	2016	39,706				1,666
	2017	40,402				1,639
	2018	41,631				1,595
	2019	41,709				1,537
	2020 to 2024	216,496				6,804
Schedule of asset allocation for pension plans	'
	The following table summarizes the investments that comprise the assets of the Company’s pension plans (see Note 10), all of which are measured at fair value on a recurring basis, and the basis for that measurement:
		Total				Quoted Price in				Significant			Significant
		Fair Value				Active Markets				Other			Unobservable
		Measurement				for				Observable			Inputs
						Identical Assets				Inputs			(Level 3)
						(Level 1)				(Level 2)
		(In thousands)
	31-Mar-14
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	6,235			$	6,235			$	—		$	—
	Equity funds - U.S.-based companies	142,803				—				142,803			—
	Equity funds - international-based companies	43,840				—				43,840			—
	Fixed income funds	325,648				—				325,648			—
	Other	9,053				—				9,053			—
	Total pension assets	$	527,579			$	6,235			$	521,344		$	—
	March 31, 2013
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	11,536			$	11,536			$	—		$	—
	Equity funds - U.S.-based companies	87,466				—				87,466			—
	Equity funds - international-based companies	113,655				—				113,655			—
	Fixed income funds	282,582				—				282,582			—
	Other	2,338				—				2,338			—
	Total pension assets	$	497,577			$	11,536			$	486,041		$	—
Pension Benefits	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'
Schedule of the plans' funded status and the amounts recognized in the consolidated financial statements	'
	The following tables set forth the plans’ funded status and the amounts recognized in the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements at March 31, 2014 and 2013:
	Pension Benefits:	For the Twelve Months Ended
		31-Mar-14				31-Mar-13
		(In thousands)
	Change in benefit obligation:
	Benefit obligation at beginning of period	$	697,535			$	686,725
	Service cost	2,272				2,384
	Interest cost	28,639				29,711
	Actuarial loss	7,080				31,284
	Plan participants’ contributions	164				221
	Benefits paid	(35,021		)		(35,392		)
	Currency translation	23,760				(13,586		)
	Settlements and other	(3,190		)		(3,812		)
	Benefit obligation at end of period	$	721,239			$	697,535
	Change in plan assets:
	Fair value of plan assets at beginning of period	$	497,577			$	472,316
	Actual return on plan assets	35,906				47,348
	Employer contributions	16,589				25,400
	Plan participants’ contributions	164				221
	Benefits paid	(35,021		)		(35,392		)
	Currency translation	14,006				(8,505		)
	Settlements and other	(1,642		)		(3,811		)
	Fair value of plan assets at end of period	$	527,579			$	497,577
	Reconciliation of funded status:
	Benefit obligation at end of period	$	721,239			$	697,535
	Fair value of plan assets at end of period	527,579				497,577
	Funded status (under) / over	$	(193,660	)		$	(199,958	)
	Amounts recognized in statement of financial position:
	Noncurrent other assets	$	14,941			$	17,655
	Accrued expenses	(9,645		)		(8,340		)
	Noncurrent retirement obligations	(198,956		)		(209,273		)
	Net amount recognized at end of period (1)	$	(193,660	)		$	(199,958	)
	Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss:
	Prior service cost	$	792			$	799
	Net actuarial loss	107,178				108,916
	Net amount recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss	$	107,970			$	109,715
Schedule of the plans' expenses	'
	The following tables set forth the plans’ expenses recognized in the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements:
		Pension Benefits
		For the Twelve Months Ended
		31-Mar-14				31-Mar-13				31-Mar-12
		(In thousands)
	Components of net periodic benefit cost:
	Service cost	$	2,272			$	2,384			$	2,231
	Interest cost	28,639				29,711				33,076
	Expected return on plan assets	(30,371		)		(29,012		)		(31,214		)
	Amortization of:
	Prior service cost	65				62				88
	Actuarial loss	3,125				2,019				665
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	3,730			$	5,164			$	4,846
Schedule of asset allocation for pension plans	'
	The asset allocation for the Company’s pension plans by asset category are as follows:
		Percentage of Plan Assets at Year End
		31-Mar-14			31-Mar-13
	Cash and cash equivalents	1.2	%		1	%
	Equity securities	35.4	%		40	%
	Fixed income securities	61.7	%		57	%
	Other	1.7	%		2	%
	Total	100	%		100	%
Other Post-Retirement Benefits	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'
Schedule of the plans' funded status and the amounts recognized in the consolidated financial statements	'
	Other Post-Retirement Benefits:	For the Twelve Months Ended
		31-Mar-14				31-Mar-13
		(In thousands)
	Change in benefit obligation:
	Benefit obligation at beginning of period	$	26,025			$	25,153
	Service cost	749				700
	Interest cost	977				1,046
	Actuarial loss (gain)	(4,296		)		1,097
	Plan participants’ contributions	214				120
	Benefits paid	(1,967		)		(1,859		)
	Currency translation	(813		)		(232		)
	Benefit obligation at end of period	$	20,889			$	26,025
	Change in plan assets:
	Fair value of plan assets at beginning of period	$	—			$	—
	Employer contributions	1,753				1,739
	Plan participants’ contributions	214				120
	Benefits paid	(1,967		)		(1,859		)
	Fair value of plan assets at end of period	$	—			$	—
	Reconciliation of funded status:
	Benefit obligation at end of period	$	20,889			$	26,025
	Fair value of plan assets at end of period	—				—
	Funded status (under) / over	$	(20,889	)		$	(26,025	)
	Amounts recognized in statement of financial position:
	Accrued expenses	$	(1,691	)		$	(1,894	)
	Noncurrent retirement obligations	(19,198		)		(24,131		)
	Net amount recognized at end of period (1)	$	(20,889	)		$	(26,025	)
	Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss:
	Prior service credit	$	(2,460	)		$	(2,950	)
	Net actuarial loss	5,276				10,478
	Net amount recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss	$	2,816			$	7,528
	-1	Amounts above are before $12.5 million reclassification to liabilities subject to compromise. See Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Schedule of the plans' expenses	'
		Other Post-Retirement Benefits
		For the Twelve Months Ended
		31-Mar-14				31-Mar-13				31-Mar-12
		(In thousands)
	Components of net periodic benefit cost:
	Service cost	$	749			$	700			$	516
	Interest cost	977				1,046				1,123
	Amortization of:
	Prior service cost	(490		)		(490		)		(490		)
	Actuarial loss	673				642				498
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	1,909			$	1,898			$	1,647
Schedule of effect of a one-percentage-point change in assumed health care cost trend rates	'
	A one-percentage-point change in assumed health care cost trend rates would have the following effects:
		One Percentage-				One Percentage-
		Point Increase				Point Decrease
		(In thousands)
	Effect on total of service and interest cost components	$	369			$	282
	Effect on the post-retirement benefit obligation	$	2,232			$	1,827

Stock_Based_Compensation_Plans1

Stock Based Compensation Plans (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
Stock option activity	'
	The Company did not issue stock options during fiscal 2014, 2013, or 2012. The following table includes information about stock options:
		Number of Stock		Weighted Average		Weighted Average
		Options		Exercise Price		Remaining Contractual
		(In thousands)				Life (Years)
	Shares under option:
	Outstanding at March 31, 2011	3,100		$	8.02	6
	Forfeited	(228	)	9.01
	Outstanding at March 31, 2012	2,872		$	7.94	5
	Forfeited	(4	)	6.29
	Outstanding at March 31, 2013	2,868		$	7.94	4
	Forfeited	(1,223	)	7.96
	Outstanding at March 31, 2014	1,645		$	7.93	3.1
	Vested and Exercisable at:
	31-Mar-14	1,645		$	7.93	3.1
	31-Mar-13	2,868		$	7.94	4
	31-Mar-12	2,786		$	7.99	4.9
Restricted stock transactions	'
	Restricted stock transactions are as follows:
		Number of Shares		Weighted-Average
				Fair Value
		(In thousands)
	Outstanding (non-vested) at March 31, 2013	1,503		$4.24
	Vested	(985	)	$4.63
	Forfeited	(137	)	$3.44
	Outstanding (non-vested) at March 31, 2014	381		$4.10

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of components of income (loss) before income taxes and minority interest, and the (benefit) provision for income taxes	'
	The components of income (loss) before income taxes, and the provision (benefit) for income taxes are as follows:
		For the Twelve Months Ended
		31-Mar-14				31-Mar-13				31-Mar-12
		(In thousands)
	Income (loss) before income taxes:
	U.S.	$	(188,117	)		$	(131,563	)		$	(30,726	)
	Foreign	(23,455		)		8,387				31,477
		$	(211,572	)		$	(123,176	)		$	751
	Income tax provision (benefit):
	Current
	U.S.	$	2,279			$	440			$	(825	)
	Foreign	5,866				6,297				23,535
		8,145				6,737				22,710
	Deferred
	U.S.	(2,172		)		87,468				(9,809		)
	Foreign	185				5,710				(68,104		)
		(1,987		)		93,178				(77,913		)
	Total income tax provision (benefit)	$	6,158			$	99,915			$	(55,203	)
Schedule of major differences between the federal statutory rate and the effective tax rate	'
	Major differences between the federal statutory rate and the effective tax rate are as follows:
		For the Twelve Months Ended
		31-Mar-14			31-Mar-13			31-Mar-12
	Federal statutory rate	35	%		35	%		35	%
	Dividend income	—			—			(0.2	)
	Withholding tax	—			(2.2	)		—
	Change in tax rate	—			0.2			(6.7	)
	Change in uncertain tax positions	0.6			2.4			(312.1	)
	Local income tax provision (benefit)	(0.9	)		(1.4	)		527
	Change in valuation allowances	(40.6	)		(123.3	)		(8,109.8	)
	Revaluation of warrants	—			—			(3.2	)
	Rate differences on foreign subsidiaries	4.4			10.5			(1,795.2	)
	Executive compensation	—			—			72.2
	Thin cap disallowance	(1.0	)		(0.7	)		84.1
	Spain tax settlement	—			—			1,787.00
	Sub part F income	—			—			28
	Other, net	(0.4	)		(1.6	)		343.3
	Effective tax rate	(2.9	)%		(81.1	)%		(7,350.6	)%
Summary of significant components of deferred tax assets and liabilities, and classification in the consolidated balance sheet	'
	The following is a summary of the significant components of the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities:
		31-Mar-14				31-Mar-13
	Deferred tax assets:	(In thousands)
	Operating loss and tax credit carryforwards	$	315,217			$	289,895
	Compensation reserves	59,984				66,709
	Environmental reserves	9,014				9,235
	Sales Returns	8,159				8,281
	Other	43,157				11,837
	Valuation allowance	(286,931		)		(242,735		)
		$	148,600			$	143,222
	Deferred tax liabilities:
	Property, plant, and equipment	$	(6,002	)		$	(11,151	)
	Foreign exchange	(917		)		(76		)
	Intangible assets	(38,373		)		(38,552		)
		(45,292		)		(49,779		)
	Net deferred tax assets	$	103,308			$	93,443
	The net deferred income tax asset is classified in the consolidated balance sheet as follows:
		31-Mar-14				31-Mar-13
		(In thousands)
	Current asset	$	16,339			$	11,470
	Current liability	(4,435		)		(8,721		)
	Noncurrent asset	116,736				107,865
	Noncurrent liability	(25,332		)		(17,171		)
		$	103,308			$	93,443
Reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefit	'
	A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefit is as follows:
		31-Mar-14				31-Mar-13
		(In thousands)
	Beginning of year	$	34,962			$	41,523
	Increases for income tax positions taken during current period	—				—
	Increases/(decreases) for currency fluctuation on tax positions	2,218				(849		)
	Decreases for settlements with taxing authorities	—				(4,083		)
	Decreases for lapse of the applicable statute of limitations	(1,127		)		(1,629		)
	End of year	$	36,053			$	34,962

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Changes in the Company's sales returns and allowances liability	'
	Changes in the Company’s sales returns and allowances liability (in thousands) are as follows:
		(In thousands)
	Balance at March 31, 2012	$	36,811
	Accrual for sales returns and allowances	31,390
	Settlements made (in cash or credit) and currency translation	(32,882		)
	Balance at March 31, 2013	$	35,319
	Accrual for sales returns and allowances	42,400
	Settlements made (in cash or credit) and currency translation	(44,946		)
	Balance at March 31, 2014	$	32,773
Future minimum lease payments under operating and capital leases that have initial or remaining noncancelable lease terms	'
	Future minimum lease payments under operating and capital leases that have initial or remaining non-cancelable lease terms in excess of one year at March 31, 2014, are:
	Fiscal Year	Operating			Capital
		(In thousands)
	2015	$	21,819		$	2,567
	2016	14,678			775
	2017	9,247			777
	2018	6,432			798
	2019	3,805			568
	Thereafter	4,138			657
	Total minimum payments	$	60,119		6,142
	Less—interest on capital leases				71
	Total principal payable on capital leases (included in long-term debt)				$	6,071

Restructuring_and_Impairments_1

Restructuring and Impairments, Net (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]	'
Summarized restructuring reserve and asset impairment activity	'
	The following summarizes restructuring reserve activity and gain on asset sales/impairments, net:
		Severance			Closure Costs			Total			Gain on Asset Sales/Impairments, net		Total
		Costs						Restructuring					Restructuring /
													Impairments, net
		(In thousands)
	Balance at March 31, 2011	$	18,732		$	4,607		$	23,339
	Expenses	7,858			(753		)	7,105			$	3,773	$	10,878
	Payments and currency translation	(16,189		)	(507		)	(16,696		)
	Balance at March 31, 2012	10,401			3,347			13,748
	Expenses	8,451			2,892			11,343			$	60,152	$	71,495
	Payments and currency translation	(12,802		)	(2,663		)	(15,465		)
	Balance at March 31, 2013	6,050			3,576			9,626
	Expenses	17,428			7,615			25,043			$	2,946	$	27,989
	Payments and currency translation	(15,557		)	(4,477		)	(20,034		)
		$	7,921		$	6,714		$	14,635
	Reclassified to liabilities subject to compromise							(7,274		)
	Balance at March 31, 2014							$	7,361
Summarized restructuring and asset impairment expenses by segment	'
	Restructuring and impairments, net by operating segment:
		For the Twelve Months Ended
		31-Mar-14			31-Mar-13			31-Mar-12
		(In thousands)
	Transportation Americas	$	16,451		$	57,104		$	2,369
	Transportation Europe & ROW	4,421			8,163			4,115
	Industrial Energy Americas	417			1,136			652
	Industrial Energy Europe & ROW	6,321			4,613			2,301
	Unallocated	379			479			1,441
	Total	$	27,989		$	71,495		$	10,878

Earnings_Loss_Per_Share_Tables

Earnings (Loss) Per Share (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Basic and diluted (loss) earnings per share	'
	Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share are summarized as follows:
		For the Twelve Months Ended
		31-Mar-14				31-Mar-13			31-Mar-12
		(In thousands, except per share amounts)
	Net income (loss) attributable to Exide Technologies	$	(217,810	)		$	(223,399	)	$	56,739
	Basic weighted average shares outstanding	77,925				77,270			77,667
	Effect of dilutive securities:
	Senior Subordinated Notes	—				—			3,697
	Employee stock options	—				—			292
	Employee restricted stock awards (non-vested)	—				—			425
		—				—			4,414
	Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	77,925				77,270			82,081
	Basic earnings (loss) per share	$	(2.80	)		$	(2.89	)	$	0.73
	Diluted earnings (loss) per share	$	(2.80	)		$	(2.89	)	$	0.69
Dilutive shares excluded from diluted loss per share calculation	'
	Due to a net loss for fiscal years 2014 and 2013 certain potentially dilutive shares were excluded from the diluted earnings (loss) per share calculation because their effect would be antidilutive:
		March 31, 2014			March 31, 2013
		(In thousands)
	Shares associated with convertible debt (assumed conversion)	3,697			3,697
	Employee stock options	1,646			2,872
	Restricted stock awards (non-vested)	388			1,502
	Total shares excluded	5,731			8,071

Other_Income_Expense_Net_Table

Other (Income) Expense, Net (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Other (Income) Expense, Net [Abstract]	'
Components of other (income) expense, net	'
	Other (income) expense, net consist of:
		For the Twelve Months Ended
		31-Mar-14			31-Mar-13			31-Mar-12
		(In thousands)
	Currency remeasurement loss (gain) (1)	$	(4,321	)	$	2,883		$	10,036
	Gain on interest rate swap settlements	—			—			(4,578		)
	Other	(1,150		)	(356		)	(347		)
	Total other (income) expense, net	$	(5,471	)	$	2,527		$	5,111
	-1	The currency remeasurement gain relates primarily to intercompany loans to foreign subsidiaries denominated in the Belarus Ruble, the Euro, and the Australian dollar.

Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Carrying values and estimated fair values of the Company's long-term obligations and other financial instruments	'
	The carrying values and estimated fair values of the Company’s long-term obligations and other financial instruments are as follows:
		31-Mar-14						31-Mar-13
		Carrying Value			Estimated Fair			Carrying Value			Estimated Fair
					Value						Value
		(In thousands)
	Asset (Liability):
	Senior secured notes (1)	$	(734,474	)	$	(560,955	)	$	(675,000	)	$	(580,500	)
	Convertible senior subordinated notes (1)	(51,900		)	(12,988		)	(55,750		)	(52,864		)
	Foreign currency forwards (2)	—			—			(25		)	(25		)
	Commodity swap / forward (2)	(1,709		)	(1,709		)	141			141
	-1	Classified as liabilities subject to compromise
	-2	These financial instruments are required to be measured at fair value, and are based on inputs as described in the three-tier hierarchy that prioritizes inputs used in measuring fair value as of the reported date:
	•Level 1 – Observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities;
	•Level 2 – Inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are observable either directly or indirectly; and
	•	Level 3 – Inputs from valuation techniques in which one or more key value drivers are not observable, and must be based on the reporting entity’s own assumptions.
Financial instruments that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis	'
	The following table represents the Company's financial instruments that were measured at fair value at March 31, 2014 and 2013 and the basis for that measu
Summary of investments that comprise the assets of the pension plans	'
	The following table summarizes the investments that comprise the assets of the Company’s pension plans (see Note 10), all of which are measured at fair value on a recurring basis, and the basis for that measurement:
		Total			Quoted Price in			Significant			Significant
		Fair Value			Active Markets			Other			Unobservable
		Measurement			for			Observable			Inputs
					Identical Assets			Inputs			(Level 3)
					(Level 1)			(Level 2)
		(In thousands)
	31-Mar-14
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	6,235		$	6,235		$	—		$	—
	Equity funds - U.S.-based companies	142,803			—			142,803			—
	Equity funds - international-based companies	43,840			—			43,840			—
	Fixed income funds	325,648			—			325,648			—
	Other	9,053			—			9,053			—
	Total pension assets	$	527,579		$	6,235		$	521,344		$	—
	March 31, 2013
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	11,536		$	11,536		$	—		$	—
	Equity funds - U.S.-based companies	87,466			—			87,466			—
	Equity funds - international-based companies	113,655			—			113,655			—
	Fixed income funds	282,582			—			282,582			—
	Other	2,338			—			2,338			—
	Total pension assets	$	497,577		$	11,536		$	486,041		$	—

Supplemental_Information_Table

Supplemental Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Equity [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	'
	The accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income consisted of the following:
		Defined			Derivatives			Cumulative			Total
		Benefit Plans (1)			Qualifying			Translation
					as Hedges (2)			Adjustment
		(In thousands)
	As of March 31, 2011	$	(26,893	)	$	(10	)	$	76,443		$	49,540
	Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications	(42,342		)	(4,018		)	(22,866		)	(69,226		)
	Amounts reclassified from AOCI	(708		)	3,901			—			3,193
	Net change in other comprehensive (loss) income	(43,050		)	(117		)	(22,866		)	(66,033		)
	As of March 31, 2012	$	(69,943	)	$	(127	)	$	53,577		$	(16,493	)
	Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications	(11,332		)	(3,276		)	(17,354		)	(31,962		)
	Amounts reclassified from AOCI	(2,387		)	3,403			—			1,016
	Net change in other comprehensive (loss) income	(13,719		)	127			(17,354		)	(30,946		)
	As of March 31, 2013	$	(83,662	)	$	—		$	36,223		$	(47,439	)
	Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications	15,602			—			23,745			39,347
	Amounts reclassified from AOCI	(3,357		)	—			—			(3,357		)
	Net change in other comprehensive (loss) income	12,245			—			23,745			35,990
	As of March 31, 2014	$	(71,417	)	$	—		$	59,968		$	(11,449	)
	-1	See Note 10 for additional information on employee benefit plans.
	-2	See Note 4 for additional information on derivatives.

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Financial information concerning the Company's reportable segments	'
	Selected financial information concerning the Company’s reportable segments is as follows:
		For the Twelve Months Ended
		31-Mar-14			31-Mar-13			31-Mar-12
		(In thousands)
	Net sales
	Transportation Americas	$	760,412		$	879,831		$	907,838
	Transportation Europe & ROW	930,036			926,978			1,014,292
	Industrial Energy Americas	365,633			368,386			339,328
	Industrial Energy Europe & ROW	799,352			796,503			823,192
		$	2,855,433		$	2,971,698		$	3,084,650
	Operating income (loss) by segment
	Transportation Americas	$	(7,739	)	$	(23,158	)	$	9,513
	Transportation Europe & ROW	19,561			20,335			55,928
	Industrial Energy Americas	25,185			28,266			41,657
	Industrial Energy Europe & ROW	16,004			21,787			14,435
	Unallocated corporate	(34,034		)	(29,096		)	(31,780		)
		18,977			18,134			89,753
	Restructuring and impairments, net	(27,989		)	(71,495		)	(10,878		)
		$	(9,012	)	$	(53,361	)	$	78,875
	Depreciation & Amortization
	Transportation Americas	$	25,476		$	28,465		$	28,215
	Transportation Europe & ROW	21,513			19,052			18,590
	Industrial Energy Americas	11,514			10,963			11,701
	Industrial Energy Europe & ROW	18,024			17,386			21,039
	Unallocated corporate	4,753			4,321			4,808
		$	81,280		$	80,187		$	84,353
	Capital expenditures
	Transportation Americas	$	27,709		$	32,105		$	38,872
	Transportation Europe & ROW	33,242			36,323			40,195
	Industrial Energy Americas	4,128			9,313			7,392
	Industrial Energy Europe & ROW	12,896			16,120			15,915
	Unallocated corporate	3,794			7,640			7,462
		$	81,769		$	101,501		$	109,836
Revenue from external customers by country	'
	Geographic information is as follows:
		Revenues from External Customers
		For the Twelve Months Ended
		31-Mar-14			31-Mar-13			31-Mar-12
		(In thousands)
	United States	$	1,126,045		$	1,248,217		$	1,247,166
	France	190,112			190,730			200,456
	Germany	393,314			382,521			434,051
	Italy	236,416			217,403			229,271
	Spain	263,583			238,235			252,801
	Poland	114,388			105,813			107,519
	Other	531,575			588,779			613,386
	Total	$	2,855,433		$	2,971,698		$	3,084,650
Long-lived assets by customer	'
		Long-Lived Assets
		31-Mar-14			31-Mar-13
		(In thousands)
	United States	$	228,861		$	235,665
	France	16,603			15,807
	Germany	63,820			62,203
	Italy	63,091			55,505
	Spain	94,895			86,267
	Poland	57,927			48,734
	Other	51,215			53,934
	Total	$	576,412		$	558,115

Selected_Quarterly_Financial_D1

Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Summary of quarterly consolidated results of operations	'
	The following is a summary of the Company’s quarterly consolidated results of operations:
		Three Months Ended
		30-Jun-13			30-Sep-13			31-Dec-13			31-Mar-14
		(In thousands, except per share data)
	Net sales	$	682,242		$	697,802		$	759,666		$	715,723
	Gross profit	76,039			96,734			110,024			101,663
	Operating income (loss)	(24,854		)	5,439			12,027			(1,624		)
	Loss before income taxes	(90,913		)	(36,990		)	(33,133		)	(50,536		)
	Net loss attributable to Exide Technologies	(91,133		)	(40,175		)	(34,692		)	(51,810		)
	Loss per share:
	Basic	$	(1.17	)	$	(0.51	)	$	(0.44	)	$	(0.66	)
	Diluted	$	(1.17	)	$	(0.51	)	$	(0.44	)	$	(0.66	)
		Three Months Ended
		30-Jun-12			30-Sep-12			31-Dec-12			31-Mar-13
		(In thousands, except per share data)
	Net sales	$	693,438		$	711,692		$	804,879		$	761,689
	Gross profit	94,255			103,659			120,070			89,310
	Operating income (loss)	1,054			6,836			4,726			(65,974		)
	Loss before income taxes	(14,656		)	(9,880		)	(11,639		)	(87,001		)
	Net loss attributable to Exide Technologies	(106,498		)	(13,878		)	(15,443		)	(87,580		)
	Loss per share:
	Basic	$	(1.38	)	$	(0.18	)	$	(0.20	)	$	(1.13	)
	Diluted	$	(1.38	)	$	(0.18	)	$	(0.20	)	$	(1.13	)

Basis_of_Presentation_and_Summ2

Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified			Building and Building Improvements	Building and Building Improvements	Machinery and Equipment	Machinery and Equipment	Transportation Europe and R.O.W Segment
			Minimum	Maximum	Minimum	Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Pre-tax out of period adjustment	'	'	'	'	'	'	$4.60
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$19.50	$20.10	'	'	'	'	'
Property plant and equipment useful Life	'	'	'25 years	'40 years	'3 years	'14 years	'

Proceedings_Under_Chapter_11_o2

Proceedings Under Chapter 11 of The Bankruptcy Code (Reorganization Items) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Reorganizations [Abstract]	'	'	'
Professional fees	$77,889	'	'
Write off debt financing costs/other	12,301	'	'
Other direct costs	3,399	'	'
Reorganization Items	$93,589	$1,653	$1,209

Proceedings_Under_Chapter_11_o3

Proceedings Under Chapter 11 of The Bankruptcy Code (Liabilities Subject to Compromise) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Reorganizations [Abstract]	'	'
Debt	$788,376	'
Accrued interest	10,515	'
Accounts payable	72,275	'
Retirement obligations	52,864	'
Restructuring reserve	7,274	'
Other accrued liabilities	19,339	'
Liabilities Subject to Compromise	$950,643	$0

Proceedings_Under_Chapter_11_o4

Proceedings Under Chapter 11 of The Bankruptcy Code (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Jul. 24, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Reorganizations [Abstract]	'	'
DIP, amount arranged	$500	$90

Debtors_Financial_Statements_S

Debtor's Financial Statements (Statements of Operations) (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

24 Months Ended

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Jun. 30, 2012

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2012

Mar. 31, 2012

Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net sales

$715,723

$759,666

$697,802

$682,242

$761,689

$804,879

$711,692

$693,438

$2,855,433

$2,971,698

$3,084,650

'

Cost of sales

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,470,973

2,564,403

2,599,822

'

Gross profit

101,663

110,024

96,734

76,039

89,310

120,070

103,659

94,255

384,460

407,295

484,828

'

Selling and administrative expenses

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

365,483

389,161

395,075

'

Restructuring and impairments, net

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

27,989

71,495

10,878

10,878

Operating income (loss)

-1,624

12,027

5,439

-24,854

-65,974

4,726

6,836

1,054

-9,012

-53,361

78,875

'

Other (income) expense, net

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-5,471

2,527

5,111

'

Interest expense, net

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

114,442

65,635

71,804

'

Reorganization items, net

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

93,589

1,653

1,209

'

Income (loss) before income taxes

-50,536

-33,133

-36,990

-90,913

-87,001

-11,639

-9,880

-14,656

-211,572

-123,176

751

'

Income tax provision

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

6,158

99,915

-55,203

'

Net income (loss)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-217,730

-223,091

55,954

'

Parent Company

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net sales

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,125,058

'

'

'

Cost of sales

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

978,061

'

'

'

Gross profit

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

146,997

'

'

'

Selling and administrative expenses

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

153,999

'

'

'

Restructuring and impairments, net

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

16,745

'

'

'

Operating income (loss)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-23,747

'

'

'

Other (income) expense, net

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-25,509

'

'

'

Loss in net earnings of subsidiaries

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

29,770

'

'

'

Interest expense, net

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

97,864

'

'

'

Loss before reorganization items

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-125,872

'

'

'

Reorganization items, net

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

91,769

'

'

'

Income (loss) before income taxes

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-217,641

'

'

'

Income tax provision

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

169

'

'

'

Net income (loss)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

($217,810)

'

'

'

Debtors_Financial_Statements_B

Debtor's Financial Statements (Balance Sheets) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$103,711	$104,289	$155,368	$161,363
Accounts receivable, net	495,447	504,795	'	'
Inventories	483,218	488,221	'	'
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	47,874	33,316	'	'
Total current assets	1,146,589	1,142,091	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, net	576,412	558,115	'	'
Other noncurrent assets	50,670	51,049	'	'
Total assets	2,032,788	2,004,430	'	'
Current maturities of long-term debt	268,828	435,736	'	'
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	263,904	281,432	'	'
Total current liabilities	829,611	808,037	'	'
Other noncurrent liabilities	64,493	98,022	'	'
Liabilities not subject to compromise	1,101,661	1,850,498	'	'
Liabilities subject to compromise	950,643	0	'	'
Total Debtor's equity	-19,516	153,932	'	'
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity (deficit)	2,032,788	2,004,430	'	'
Parent Company	'	'	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	17,349	26,419	'	'
Accounts receivable, net	133,384	'	'	'
Non-Debtor receivables	40,550	'	'	'
Inventories	196,129	'	'	'
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	37,594	'	'	'
Total current assets	425,006	'	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, net	228,297	'	'	'
Investments in non-Debtor subsidiaries	400,048	'	'	'
Non-Debtor loans	240,505	'	'	'
Other noncurrent assets	84,734	'	'	'
Total other assets	725,287	'	'	'
Total assets	1,378,590	'	'	'
Current maturities of long-term debt	284,625	'	'	'
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	110,812	'	'	'
Total current liabilities	395,437	'	'	'
Other noncurrent liabilities	60,442	'	'	'
Liabilities not subject to compromise	455,879	'	'	'
Liabilities subject to compromise	950,643	'	'	'
Total Debtor's equity	-27,932	'	'	'
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity (deficit)	$1,378,590	'	'	'

Debtors_Financial_Statements_C

Debtor's Financial Statements (Cash Flows) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'
Net cash used in operating activities	($154,611)	$28,017	$91,768
Capital expenditures	-81,769	-101,501	-109,836
Proceeds from asset sales	-5,176	-18,965	-635
Net cash used in investing activities	-72,161	-79,246	-109,201
Increase in other debt	269,664	0	5,409
Financing fees and other	-30,542	-1,505	-544
Net cash provided by financing activities	223,122	1,460	17,273
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	-578	-51,079	-5,995
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	104,289	155,368	161,363
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	103,711	104,289	155,368
Parent Company	'	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'
Net cash used in operating activities	-216,095	'	'
Capital expenditures	-38,374	'	'
Proceeds from asset sales	-169	'	'
Net cash used in investing activities	-38,205	'	'
Increase in other debt	275,000	'	'
Financing fees and other	-29,770	'	'
Net cash provided by financing activities	245,230	'	'
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	-9,070	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	26,419	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$17,349	'	'

Accounting_for_Derivatives_Det

Accounting for Derivatives (Details) (USD $)

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

24 Months Ended

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2012

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2012

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2012

Commodity Swaps / Forwards

Commodity Swaps / Forwards

Commodity Swaps / Forwards

Commodity Swaps / Forwards

Commodity Swaps / Forwards

Commodity Swaps / Forwards

Commodity Swaps / Forwards

Foreign Exchange Forwards

Foreign Exchange Forwards

Foreign Exchange Forwards

Foreign Exchange Forwards

Foreign Exchange Forwards

Interest Rate Swap

Interest Rate Swap

Interest Rate Swap

Cost of sales

Cost of sales

Cost of sales

Current assets

Current assets

Current liabilities

Current liabilities

Other income, net

Other income, net

Other income, net

Current liabilities

Current liabilities

Interest expense, net

Interest expense, net

Interest expense, net

Derivative instruments in the Company's Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Asset Derivatives:

'

'

'

$0

$141

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Liability Derivatives:

'

'

'

'

'

1,709

0

'

'

'

0

25

'

'

'

Loss (gain) on Derivatives

($1,587)

($1,302)

($3,970)

'

'

'

'

$25

$2,652

$6,051

'

'

($94)

($2,053)

($1,820)

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets2

Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Summary of Goodwill and intangible assets	'	'
Gross amount, Total	$210,467	$204,735
Accumulated amortization, Total	-68,086	-59,425
Intangibles, Net	6,400	'
Goodwill and intangible assets, Net Total	142,381	145,310
Goodwill (not subject to amortization)	'	'
Summary of Goodwill and intangible assets	'	'
Goodwill, Gross amount	916	1,014
Intangibles, Accumulated amortization	0	0
Goodwill, Net	916	1,014
Trademarks and Tradenames (not subject to amortization)	'	'
Summary of Goodwill and intangible assets	'	'
Intangibles, Gross amount	61,532	60,105
Intangibles, Accumulated amortization	0	0
Intangibles, Net	61,532	60,105
Trademarks and Tradenames (subject to amortization)	'	'
Summary of Goodwill and intangible assets	'	'
Intangibles, Gross amount	13,996	13,671
Intangibles, Accumulated amortization	-10,961	-9,627
Intangibles, Net	3,035	4,044
Customer Relationships	'	'
Summary of Goodwill and intangible assets	'	'
Intangibles, Gross amount	107,993	104,534
Intangibles, Accumulated amortization	-44,349	-38,591
Intangibles, Net	63,644	65,943
Technology	'	'
Summary of Goodwill and intangible assets	'	'
Intangibles, Gross amount	26,030	25,411
Intangibles, Accumulated amortization	-12,776	-11,207
Intangibles, Net	$13,254	$14,204

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets3

Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Details Textual) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'
Amortization of intangible assets	$6.80	$6.90	$8.20
Anticipated amortization of intangible assets	6.4	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, Amortization Expense, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]	'	'	'
2014	6.4	'	'
2015	6.4	'	'
2016	6.4	'	'
2017	6.4	'	'
2018	$6.40	'	'

Inventories_Details

Inventories (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Components of Inventories, valued using the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method	'	'
Raw materials	$94,694	$89,925
Work-in-process	115,731	106,194
Finished goods	272,793	292,102
Inventory Net	$483,218	$488,221

Property_Plant_and_Equipment_D

Property, Plant and Equipment (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$1,180,103	$1,170,993
Accumulated depreciation	-603,691	-612,878
Property, plant and equipment, net	576,412	558,115
Land	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, gross	54,725	55,443
Buildings and improvements	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, gross	255,034	253,960
Machinery and equipment	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, gross	816,889	802,414
Construction in progress	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$53,455	$59,176

Property_Plant_and_Equipment_D1

Property, Plant and Equipment (Details Textual) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]	'	'	'
Depreciation	$73	$71.80	$74.10

Other_Noncurrent_Assets_Detail

Other Noncurrent Assets (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014		Mar. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Other noncurrent assets	'		'
Deposits	$4,040	[1]	$3,885	[1]
Deferred financing costs	14,773		16,080
Investment in affiliates	549		1,877
Capitalized software, net	3,864		3,993
Loan to affiliate	0		1,005
Retirement plans	14,941		17,655
Other	12,503		6,554
Other noncurrent assets, total	$50,670		$51,049
[1]	Deposits principally represent amounts held by beneficiaries as cash collateral for the Company’s contingent obligations with respect to certain environmental matters, workers' compensation insurance, and operating lease commitments.

Debt_Details_Textual

Debt (Details Textual)

1 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

Jul. 24, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Jul. 24, 2013

Jul. 24, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 27, 2014

Jul. 22, 2014

Jul. 22, 2014

Jun. 27, 2014

28-May-14

Jun. 27, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

Revolving Credit Facility

Revolving Credit Facility

Term Loan

Bridge Loan

Bridge Loan

Bridge Loan

Revolving Credit Facility, Denominated in US Dollars

Revolving Credit Facility, Denominated in US Dollars and Euros

Scenario, Forecast

Scenario, Forecast

Scenario, Forecast

Scenario, Forecast

Scenario, Forecast

Scenario, Forecast

Scenario, Forecast

Scenario, Forecast

USD ($)

London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

EUR (€)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

Term Loan

Commitment Letter

Bridge Loan

Bridge Loan

Letters of Credit

Bonds

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

EUR (€)

USD ($)

USD ($)

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Short-term borrowings

'

$4,058,000

$22,017,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Renewable period of borrowing facilities

'

'1 year

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest rate description on borrowings

'

'interest at current local market rates plus up to one percent per annum

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Weighted average interest rate on short-term borrowings

'

7.10%

5.50%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total debt

'

308,000,000

776,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

DIP, amount arranged

90,000,000

500,000,000

'

225,000,000

'

275,000,000

25,000,000

25,000,000

75,000,000

110,000,000

115,000,000

'

'

'

60,000,000

'

100,000,000

85,000,000

185,000,000

DIP, increases to amount arranged

2,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

485,000,000

120,000,000

60,000,000

'

36,000,000

'

75,000,000

'

DIP, preferred convertible equity capital commitment

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$300,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

DIP, EBITDA exceeding the DIP budget

110.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

DIP amount arranged, basis spread

'

'

'

'

3.25%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

DIP amount arranged, stated percentage

'

'

'

'

'

9.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage pledge of equity interests

'

100.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Trading EBITDA

'

'12 months

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt_Longterm_Debt_Details

Debt (Long-term Debt) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014		Mar. 31, 2013
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'		'
DIP credit facility	$284,625		$0
Other, including capital lease obligations (see Note 13) and other loans at interest rates averaging approximately 6.2% due in installments through 2019	19,294		20,457
Long-term Debt	303,919		751,207
Fair value adjustments on hedged debt	0		2,788
Fair value adjustments on hedged debt	303,919		753,995
Current maturities	-288,386		-60,131
Total long-term debt	15,533		693,864
Stated percentage rate range, maximum	6.20%		6.20%
8 5/8% senior secured notes due 2018	'		'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'		'
8 5/8% senior secured notes due 2018	0	[1]	675,000	[1]
Interest rate, stated percentage	8.63%		8.63%
Floating rate convertible senior subordinated notes due 2013	'		'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'		'
Floating rate convertible senior subordinated notes due 2013	$0	[1]	$55,750	[1]
[1]	The pre-petition debt of the Debtor was reclassified to liabilities subject to compromise. Refer to Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on the Chapter 11 proceedings.

Debt_Annual_Principal_Payments

Debt (Annual Principal Payments) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
2015	$288,386	'
2016	2,336	'
2017	2,404	'
2018	2,495	'
2019	2,246	'
2020 and beyond	6,052	'
Fair value adjustments on hedged debt	$303,919	$753,995

Employee_Benefit_Plans_and_Pos2

Employee Benefit Plans and Post-Retirement Health Care and Life Insurance Benefits (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Employee Benefits (Textual) [Abstract]	'	'	'
Reclassification to liabilities subject to compromise	$52,864,000	'	'
Defined contribution plan expenses	7,200,000	21,800,000	19,300,000
Equity investments	'	'	'
Employee Benefits (Textual) [Abstract]	'	'	'
Current target allocation percentage	40.00%	'	'
Long duration fixed-income investments	'	'	'
Employee Benefits (Textual) [Abstract]	'	'	'
Current target allocation percentage	60.00%	'	'
Pension Benefits	'	'	'
Employee Benefits (Textual) [Abstract]	'	'	'
Reclassification to liabilities subject to compromise	40,300,000	'	'
Settlement and curtailment net gains	-100,000	-200,000	50,000
Expense to be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive (income) loss into net periodic benefit cost in fiscal 2014	3,081,000	'	'
Pension plans with accumulated benefit obligations in excess of plan assets, projected benefit obligation	547,400,000	553,600,000	'
Pension plans with accumulated benefit obligations in excess of plan assets, accumulated benefit obligation	541,600,000	548,000,000	'
Pension plans with accumulated benefit obligations in excess of plan assets, fair value of plan assets	338,800,000	336,000,000	'
Accumulated benefit obligation	714,900,000	'	'
Estimated fiscal 2014 contributions	22,400,000	'	'
Cumulative contributions to pension plans from fiscal 2014 to fiscal 2018	104,200,000	'	'
Other Post-Retirement Benefits	'	'	'
Employee Benefits (Textual) [Abstract]	'	'	'
Reclassification to liabilities subject to compromise	12,500,000	'	'
Expense to be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive (income) loss into net periodic benefit cost in fiscal 2014	-144,000	'	'
Estimated fiscal 2014 contributions	1,700,000	'	'
Cumulative contributions to pension plans from fiscal 2014 to fiscal 2018	$8,100,000	'	'

Employee_Benefit_Plans_and_Pos3

Employee Benefit Plans and Post-Retirement Health Care and Life Insurance Benefits (Plans' Funded Status and Recognition) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014		Mar. 31, 2013		Mar. 31, 2012
Amounts recognized in statement of financial position:	'		'		'
Noncurrent other assets	$14,941		$17,655		'
Noncurrent retirement obligations	-166,692		-233,404		'
Other Post-Retirement Benefits	'		'		'
Change in benefit obligation:	'		'		'
Benefit obligation at beginning of period	26,025		25,153		'
Service cost	749		700		516
Interest cost	977		1,046		1,123
Actuarial loss	-4,296		1,097		'
Plan participants’ contributions	214		120		'
Benefits paid	-1,967		-1,859		'
Currency translation	-813		-232		'
Benefit obligation at end of period	20,889		26,025		25,153
Change in plan assets:	'		'		'
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of period	0		0		'
Employer contributions	1,753		1,739		'
Plan participants’ contributions	214		120		'
Benefits paid	-1,967		-1,859		'
Fair value of plan assets at end of period	0		0		0
Reconciliation of funded status:	'		'		'
Benefit obligation at end of period	20,889		26,025		25,153
Fair value of plan assets at end of period	0		0		0
Funded status (under) / over	-20,889		-26,025		'
Amounts recognized in statement of financial position:	'		'		'
Accrued expenses	-1,691		-1,894		'
Noncurrent retirement obligations	-19,198		-24,131		'
Net amount recognized at end of period	-20,889	[1]	-26,025	[1]	'
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss:	'		'		'
Prior service cost	-2,460		-2,950		'
Net actuarial loss	5,276		10,478		'
Net amount recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss	2,816		7,528		'
Pension Benefits	'		'		'
Change in benefit obligation:	'		'		'
Benefit obligation at beginning of period	697,535		686,725		'
Service cost	2,272		2,384		2,231
Interest cost	28,639		29,711		33,076
Actuarial loss	7,080		31,284		'
Plan participants’ contributions	164		221		'
Benefits paid	-35,021		-35,392		'
Currency translation	23,760		-13,586		'
Settlements and other	-3,190		-3,812		'
Benefit obligation at end of period	721,239		697,535		686,725
Change in plan assets:	'		'		'
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of period	497,577		472,316		'
Actual return on plan assets	35,906		47,348		'
Employer contributions	16,589		25,400		'
Plan participants’ contributions	164		221		'
Benefits paid	-35,021		-35,392		'
Currency translation	14,006		-8,505		'
Settlements and other	-1,642		-3,811		'
Fair value of plan assets at end of period	527,579		497,577		472,316
Reconciliation of funded status:	'		'		'
Benefit obligation at end of period	721,239		697,535		686,725
Fair value of plan assets at end of period	527,579		497,577		472,316
Funded status (under) / over	-193,660		-199,958		'
Amounts recognized in statement of financial position:	'		'		'
Noncurrent other assets	14,941		17,655		'
Accrued expenses	-9,645		-8,340		'
Noncurrent retirement obligations	-198,956		-209,273		'
Net amount recognized at end of period	-193,660	[2]	-199,958	[2]	'
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss:	'		'		'
Prior service cost	792		799		'
Net actuarial loss	107,178		108,916		'
Net amount recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss	$107,970		$109,715		'
[1]	Amounts above are before $12.5 million reclassification to liabilities subject to compromise. See Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
[2]	Amounts above are before $40.3 million reclassification to liabilities subject to compromise. See Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Employee_Benefit_Plans_and_Pos4

Employee Benefit Plans and Post-Retirement Health Care and Life Insurance Benefits (Assumptions Used) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Pension Benefits	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Discount rate	4.10%	4.20%	'
Rate of compensation increase	2.50%	2.50%	'
Discount rate	4.20%	4.50%	5.40%
Expected return on plan assets	6.20%	6.20%	7.10%
Rate of compensation increase	2.50%	2.50%	2.60%
Other Post-Retirement Benefits	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Discount rate	4.00%	4.00%	'
Discount rate	4.30%	4.30%	5.10%

Employee_Benefit_Plans_and_Pos5

Employee Benefit Plans and Post-Retirement Health Care and Life Insurance Benefits (Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014
Pension Benefits	'
Amounts in accumulated other comprehensive income that have not yet been recognized	'
Accumulated other comprehensive loss:	$1,545
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Net Prior Service Cost Arising During Period, before Tax	-65
Net (gain) loss arising during the period	-4,657
Net loss recognized during the period	1,432
Exchange rate gain (loss) recognized during the period	-1,745
Amounts in accumulated other comprehensive income expected to be recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost in next fiscal year	'
Prior service cost/(credit)	66
Actuarial loss	3,015
Total	3,081
Other Post-Retirement Benefits	'
Amounts in accumulated other comprehensive income that have not yet been recognized	'
Accumulated other comprehensive loss:	-4,296
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Net Prior Service Cost Arising During Period, before Tax	490
Net (gain) loss arising during the period	-673
Net loss recognized during the period	-234
Exchange rate gain (loss) recognized during the period	-4,713
Amounts in accumulated other comprehensive income expected to be recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost in next fiscal year	'
Prior service cost/(credit)	-490
Actuarial loss	346
Total	($144)

Employee_Benefit_Plans_and_Pos6

Employee Benefit Plans and Post-Retirement Health Care and Life Insurance Benefits (Plans' Expenses and Expected Future Benefit Payments) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Pension Benefits	'	'	'
Components of the Company's net periodic pension and other post-retirement benefit costs	'	'	'
Service cost	$2,272	$2,384	$2,231
Interest cost	28,639	29,711	33,076
Expected return on plan assets	-30,371	-29,012	-31,214
Amortization of:	'	'	'
Prior service cost	65	62	88
Actuarial loss	3,125	2,019	665
Net periodic benefit cost	3,730	5,164	4,846
Expected future benefit payments	'	'	'
2015	43,965	'	'
2016	39,706	'	'
2017	40,402	'	'
2018	41,631	'	'
2019	41,709	'	'
2020 to 2024	216,496	'	'
Other Post-Retirement Benefits	'	'	'
Components of the Company's net periodic pension and other post-retirement benefit costs	'	'	'
Service cost	749	700	516
Interest cost	977	1,046	1,123
Amortization of:	'	'	'
Prior service cost	-490	-490	-490
Actuarial loss	673	642	498
Net periodic benefit cost	1,909	1,898	1,647
Expected future benefit payments	'	'	'
2015	1,691	'	'
2016	1,666	'	'
2017	1,639	'	'
2018	1,595	'	'
2019	1,537	'	'
2020 to 2024	$6,804	'	'

Employee_Benefit_Plans_and_Pos7

Employee Benefit Plans and Post-Retirement Health Care and Life Insurance Benefits (Asset Allocation) (Details) (Pension Benefits)	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'
Asset allocation percentage	100.00%	100.00%
Cash and cash equivalents	'	'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'
Asset allocation percentage	1.20%	1.00%
Equity securities	'	'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'
Asset allocation percentage	35.40%	40.00%
Fixed income securities	'	'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'
Asset allocation percentage	61.70%	57.00%
Other	'	'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'
Asset allocation percentage	1.70%	2.00%

Employee_Benefit_Plans_and_Pos8

Employee Benefit Plans and Post-Retirement Health Care and Life Insurance Benefits (Health Care Cost Trends) (Details) (Other Post-Retirement Benefits, USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014
Other Post-Retirement Benefits	'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'
One Percentage-Point Increase, effect on total of service and interest cost components	$369
One Percentage-Point Decrease, effect on total of service and interest cost components	282
One Percentage-Point Increase, effect on the postretirement benefit obligation	2,232
One Percentage-Point Decrease, effect on the postretirement benefit obligation	$1,827

Stock_Based_Compensation_Plans2

Stock Based Compensation Plans (Details Textual) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Number of months from change in control during which if employee is terminated, full vesting occurs	'12 months	'	'
Compensation cost	$1.60	$5.60	$5.20
Total compensation cost related to non-vested awards not yet recognized	$1	'	'
Stock options	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Vesting period	'3 years	'	'
Expiration term	'10 years	'	'
Restricted stock | Minimum	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Vesting period	'3 years	'	'
Restricted stock | Maximum	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Vesting period	'5 years	'	'
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Vesting period	'1 year	'	'
Vesting percentage	100.00%	'	'
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) | Minimum	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Vesting period	'3 years	'	'
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) | Maximum	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Vesting period	'5 years	'	'

Stock_Based_Compensation_Plans3

Stock Based Compensation Plans (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'
Number of shares outstanding, beginning balance	2,868	2,872	3,100	'
Forfeited (shares)	-1,223	-4	-228	'
Number of shares outstanding, ending balance	1,645	2,868	2,872	3,100
Vested and exercisable (shares)	1,645	2,868	2,786	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'
Weighted average exercise price, beginning balance (per share)	$7.94	$7.94	$8.02	'
Forfeited (per share)	$7.96	$6.29	$9.01	'
Weighted average exercise price, ending balance (per share)	$7.93	$7.94	$7.94	$8.02
Vested and Exercisable (per share)	$7.93	$7.94	$7.99	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Additional Disclosures [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Weighted average remaining contractual life	'3 years 1 month 6 days	'4 years	'5 years	'6 years
Vested and exercisable (period)	'3 years 1 month 6 days	'4 years	'4 years 10 months 24 days	'

Stock_Based_Compensation_Plans4

Stock Based Compensation Plans (Restricted Stock) (Details) (Restricted stock, USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Restricted stock	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number	1,503,000	'	'
Granted (shares)	'	200,000	1,400,000
Vested (shares)	-985,000	'	'
Forfeited (shares)	-137,000	'	'
Number of shares outstanding, ending balance	381,000	1,503,000	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Weighted average exercise price, beginning balance (per share)	$4.24	'	'
Vested (per share)	$4.63	'	'
Forfeited (per share)	$3.44	'	'
Weighted average exercise price, ending balance (per share)	$4.10	$4.24	'

Income_Taxes_Details_Textual

Income Taxes (Details Textual) (USD $)	12 Months Ended				24 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	24 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2013
			U.S. and state	Foreign	Foreign	Foreign	Foreign	Foreign	Domestic Tax Authority
					France	India and Portugal	India and Portugal	Spain	United States
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net operating loss carry-forwards	'	'	$475.80	$970.40	'	'	'	'	'
IRS Sec. 382 limitation on annual amount of NOLs that may be used to offset taxable income	5	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
IRS Sec. 382 limitation on annual amount of NOLs that may be used to offset taxable income, period over which amounts will be used	'19 years	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net operating loss carry-forwards, subject to expiration	'	'	'	86.2	'	'	'	'	'
Establishment (reversal) of valuation allowance	'	'	'	'	73.6	3.5	4.2	'	85.1
Settlement with Spanish tax authorities	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	13.4	'
Undistributed earnings in foreign subsidiaries	26.4	58.8	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Amount of unrecognized tax benefits, if recognized, would affect effective tax rate	32.2	30.9	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Accrued interest and penalties on unrecognized tax benefits	1	1.2	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Removal of uncertain tax benefits in next twelve months that would affect effective tax rate	$0.10	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'

Income_Taxes_Components_of_Inc

Income Taxes (Components of Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes and Minority Interest, and the (Benefit) Provision for Income Taxes) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Income (loss) before income taxes:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Income (loss) before income taxes and minority interest, U.S.	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	($188,117)	($131,563)	($30,726)
Income (loss) before income taxes and minority interest, Foreign	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-23,455	8,387	31,477
Income (loss) before income taxes	-50,536	-33,133	-36,990	-90,913	-87,001	-11,639	-9,880	-14,656	-211,572	-123,176	751
Current	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Income tax (benefit) provision, Current, U.S.	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	2,279	440	-825
Income tax (benefit) provision, Current, Foreign	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	5,866	6,297	23,535
Income tax (benefit) provision, Current	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	8,145	6,737	22,710
Deferred	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Income tax (benefit) provision, Deferred, U.S.	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-2,172	87,468	-9,809
Income tax (benefit) provision, Deferred, Foreign	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	185	5,710	-68,104
Income tax (benefit) provision, Deferred	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-1,987	93,178	-77,913
Total income tax provision (benefit)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$6,158	$99,915	($55,203)

Income_Taxes_Major_Differences

Income Taxes (Major Differences Between the Federal Statutory Rate and the Effective Tax Rate) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'
Federal statutory rate	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
Dividend income	0.00%	0.00%	-0.20%
Withholding tax	0.00%	-2.20%	0.00%
Change in tax rate	0.00%	0.20%	-6.70%
Change in uncertain tax positions	0.60%	2.40%	-312.10%
Local income tax provision (benefit)	-0.90%	-1.40%	527.00%
Change in valuation allowances	-40.60%	-123.30%	-8109.80%
Revaluation of warrants	0.00%	0.00%	-3.20%
Rate differences on foreign subsidiaries	4.40%	10.50%	-1795.20%
Executive compensation	0.00%	0.00%	72.20%
Thin cap disallowance	-1.00%	-0.70%	84.10%
Spain tax settlement	0.00%	0.00%	1787.00%
Sub part F income	0.00%	0.00%	28.00%
Other, net	-0.40%	-1.60%	343.30%
Effective tax rate	-2.90%	-81.10%	-7350.60%

Income_Taxes_Summary_of_Deferr

Income Taxes (Summary of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities, and Classification in the Consolidated Balance Sheet) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Deferred tax assets:	'	'
Operating loss and tax credit carryforwards	$315,217	$289,895
Compensation reserves	59,984	66,709
Environmental reserves	9,014	9,235
Sales Returns	8,159	8,281
Other	43,157	11,837
Valuation allowance	-286,931	-242,735
Deferred tax assets, net	148,600	143,222
Deferred tax liabilities:	'	'
Property, plant, and equipment	-6,002	-11,151
Foreign exchange	-917	-76
Intangible assets	-38,373	-38,552
Deferred tax liabilities	-45,292	-49,779
Net deferred tax assets	103,308	93,443
Classification of deferred tax assets, net	'	'
Current asset	16,339	11,470
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Net, Current	-4,435	-8,721
Noncurrent asset	116,736	107,865
Noncurrent liability	($25,332)	($17,171)

Income_Taxes_Reconciliation_of

Income Taxes (Reconciliation of the Beginning and Ending Amount of Unrecognized Tax Benefit) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefit:	'	'
Beginning of year	$34,962	$41,523
Increases for income tax positions taken during current period	0	0
Increases/(decreases) for currency fluctuation on tax positions	2,218	-849
Decreases for settlements with taxing authorities	0	-4,083
Decreases for lapse of the applicable statute of limitations	-1,127	-1,629
End of year	$36,053	$34,962

Commitments_and_Contingencies_1

Commitments and Contingencies (Sales Returns and Allowances Liability) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Changes in the Company's sales returns and allowances liability	'	'
Balance	$35,319	$36,811
Accrual for sales returns and allowances	42,400	31,390
Settlements made (in cash or credit) and currency translation	-44,946	-32,882
Balance	$32,773	$35,319

Commitments_and_Contingencies_2

Commitments and Contingencies (Leases) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]	'
2014	$21,819
2015	14,678
2016	9,247
2017	6,432
2018	3,805
Thereafter	4,138
Total minimum payments	60,119
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]	'
2014	2,567
2015	775
2016	777
2017	798
2018	568
Thereafter	657
Total minimum payments	6,142
Less—interest on capital leases	71
Total principal payable on capital leases (included in long-term debt)	$6,071

Commitments_and_Contingencies_3

Commitments and Contingencies (Details Textual) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
	Fund
Commitments and Contingencies (Textual) [Abstract]	'	'	'
General unsecured claims eligible to receive common stock	2.5	'	'
Purchase of warrants	6.7	'	'
Common stock, price per share	$29.84	'	'
Percentage of common stock and warrants, reserved for disputed claims	13.40%	'	'
Stock held in Equity Reserve	0.2	'	'
Number of federally defined superfund sites	50	'	'
Penalties sought	$40	'	'
Intended to disclose environmental remediation cost liability	25.5	25.9	'
Onsite and offsite environmental remediation costs	25.5	25.9	'
Maximum repayment period of letters of credit	'1 year	'	'
Bank guarantees outstanding	12.6	'	'
Rent expense	46.2	50.6	50.5
Outstanding letters of credit, face value	64.7	'	'
Surety Bond	'	'	'
Commitments and Contingencies (Textual) [Abstract]	'	'	'
Surety bonds face value	56	'	'
Collateralized agreements	53.8	'	'
Minimum	'	'	'
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Remediation and site closure estimate	13	'	'
Cost estimates for remediation	6	'	'
Maximum	'	'	'
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Remediation and site closure estimate	20	'	'
Cost estimates for remediation	$8.50	'	'

Restructuring_and_Impairments_2

Restructuring and Impairments, Net (Restructuring Reserve Activity) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			24 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012
Summarized restructuring reserve and asset impairment activity	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Reserve, Beginning Balance	$9,626	$13,748	$23,339	'
Expenses	25,043	11,343	7,105	'
Payments and currency translation	-20,034	-15,465	-16,696	'
Restructuring Reserve, Subtotal	14,635	'	'	'
Reclassified to liabilities subject to compromise	-7,274	'	'	'
Restructuring Reserve, Ending Balance	7,361	9,626	13,748	13,748
Gain on Asset Sales/Impairments, net	2,946	60,152	3,773	'
Total Restructuring / Impairments, net	27,989	71,495	10,878	10,878
Severance Costs	'	'	'	'
Summarized restructuring reserve and asset impairment activity	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Reserve, Beginning Balance	6,050	10,401	18,732	'
Expenses	17,428	8,451	7,858	'
Payments and currency translation	-15,557	-12,802	-16,189	'
Restructuring Reserve, Ending Balance	7,921	6,050	10,401	10,401
Closure Costs	'	'	'	'
Summarized restructuring reserve and asset impairment activity	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Reserve, Beginning Balance	3,576	3,347	4,607	'
Expenses	7,615	2,892	-753	'
Payments and currency translation	-4,477	-2,663	-507	'
Restructuring Reserve, Ending Balance	$6,714	$3,576	$3,347	$3,347

Restructuring_and_Impairments_3

Restructuring and Impairments, Net (Restructuring and Impairments by Segment) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			24 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring and impairments, net	$27,989	$71,495	$10,878	$10,878
Transportation Americas	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring and impairments, net	16,451	57,104	'	2,369
Transportation Europe & ROW	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring and impairments, net	4,421	8,163	'	4,115
Industrial Energy Americas	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring and impairments, net	417	1,136	'	652
Industrial Energy Europe & ROW	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring and impairments, net	6,321	4,613	'	2,301
Unallocated	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring and impairments, net	$379	$479	'	$1,441

Restructuring_and_Impairments_4

Restructuring and Impairments, Net (Details Textual) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			24 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012
	Position
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring and impairments, net	$27,989	$71,495	$10,878	$10,878
Restructuring charges	25,043	11,343	7,105	'
Loss on asset sales / impairments, net	2,946	60,152	3,773	'
Number of positions eliminated	218	'	'	'
Severance Costs	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	17,428	8,451	7,858	'
Closure Costs	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	$7,615	$2,892	($753)	'

Earnings_Loss_Per_Share_Detail

Earnings (Loss) Per Share (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net loss attributable to Exide Technologies	($51,810)	($34,692)	($40,175)	($91,133)	($87,580)	($15,443)	($13,878)	($106,498)	($217,810)	($223,399)	$56,739
Basic weighted average shares outstanding	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	77,925	77,270	77,667
Effect of dilutive securities:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Floating Rate Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	0	0	3,697
Adjustment to basic weighted average shares outstanding	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	0	0	4,414
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	77,925	77,270	82,081
Basic earnings per share	($0.66)	($0.44)	($0.51)	($1.17)	($1.13)	($0.20)	($0.18)	($1.38)	($2.80)	($2.89)	$0.73
Diluted earnings per share	($0.66)	($0.44)	($0.51)	($1.17)	($1.13)	($0.20)	($0.18)	($1.38)	($2.80)	($2.89)	$0.69
Total shares excluded	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	5,731	8,071	'
Shares associated with convertible debt (assumed conversion)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Effect of dilutive securities:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total shares excluded	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	3,697	3,697	'
Employee stock options	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Effect of dilutive securities:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Incremental common shares	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	0	0	292
Total shares excluded	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,646	2,872	1,800
Restricted stock awards (non-vested)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Effect of dilutive securities:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Incremental common shares	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	0	0	425
Total shares excluded	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	388	1,502	'

Interest_Expense_Net_Details

Interest Expense, Net (Details) (Interest expense, net, USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Interest expense, net	'	'	'
Income Statement Location [Line Items]	'	'	'
Interest income	$1	$1	$1.50

Other_Income_Expense_Net_Detai

Other (Income) Expense, Net (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014		Mar. 31, 2013		Mar. 31, 2012
Components of other expense, net	'		'		'
Currency remeasurement (gain) loss	($4,321)	[1]	$2,883	[1]	$10,036	[1]
Gain on interest rate swap settlements	0		0		-4,578
Other	-1,150		-356		-347
Total other (income) expense, net	($5,471)		$2,527		$5,111
[1]	The currency remeasurement gain relates primarily to intercompany loans to foreign subsidiaries denominated in the Belarus Ruble, the Euro, and the Australian dollar.

Fair_Value_Measurements_Carryi

Fair Value Measurements (Carrying Values and Estimated Fair Values of Financial Instruments) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014		Mar. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Long-term Debt	($303,919)		($751,207)
Senior Secured Notes due 2018	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Long-term Debt	-734,474	[1]	-675,000	[1]
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	-560,955	[1]	-580,500	[1]
Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Long-term Debt	-51,900	[1]	-55,750	[1]
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	-12,988	[1]	-52,864	[1]
Foreign currency forwards	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Long-term Debt	0	[2]	-25	[2]
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	0	[2]	-25	[2]
Commodity Swaps / Forwards	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Long-term Debt	-1,709	[2]	141	[2]
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	($1,709)	[2]	$141	[2]
[1]	Classified as liabilities subject to compromise
[2]	These financial instruments are required to be measured at fair value, and are based on inputs as described in the three-tier hierarchy that prioritizes inputs used in measuring fair value as of the reported date:•Level 1 – Observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities;•Level 2 – Inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are observable either directly or indirectly; and•Level 3 – Inputs from valuation techniques in which one or more key value drivers are not observable, and must be based on the reporting entity’s own assumptions.

Fair_Value_Measurements_Financ

Fair Value Measurements (Financial Instruments Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis) (Details) (Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring, USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Commodity swap / forward	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Asset (Liability):	($1,709)	($25)
Commodity Swaps / Forwards	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Asset (Liability):	'	141
Quoted Price in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Commodity swap / forward	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Asset (Liability):	0	0
Quoted Price in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Commodity Swaps / Forwards	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Asset (Liability):	'	0
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Commodity swap / forward	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Asset (Liability):	-1,709	-25
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Commodity Swaps / Forwards	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Asset (Liability):	'	141
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | Commodity swap / forward	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Asset (Liability):	0	0
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | Commodity Swaps / Forwards	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Asset (Liability):	'	$0

Fair_Value_Measurements_Assets

Fair Value Measurements (Assets of Pension Plans Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis) (Details) (Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring, USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of plan assets at end of period	$527,579	$497,577
Cash and cash equivalents	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of plan assets at end of period	6,235	11,536
Equity funds - U.S.-based companies	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of plan assets at end of period	142,803	87,466
Equity funds - international-based companies	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of plan assets at end of period	43,840	113,655
Fixed income funds	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of plan assets at end of period	325,648	282,582
Other	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of plan assets at end of period	9,053	2,338
Quoted Price in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of plan assets at end of period	6,235	11,536
Quoted Price in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Cash and cash equivalents	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of plan assets at end of period	6,235	11,536
Quoted Price in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Equity funds - U.S.-based companies	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of plan assets at end of period	0	0
Quoted Price in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Equity funds - international-based companies	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of plan assets at end of period	0	0
Quoted Price in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Fixed income funds	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of plan assets at end of period	0	0
Quoted Price in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Other	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of plan assets at end of period	0	0
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of plan assets at end of period	521,344	486,041
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Cash and cash equivalents	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of plan assets at end of period	0	0
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Equity funds - U.S.-based companies	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of plan assets at end of period	142,803	87,466
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Equity funds - international-based companies	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of plan assets at end of period	43,840	113,655
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Fixed income funds	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of plan assets at end of period	325,648	282,582
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Other	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of plan assets at end of period	9,053	2,338
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of plan assets at end of period	0	0
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | Cash and cash equivalents	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of plan assets at end of period	0	0
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | Equity funds - U.S.-based companies	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of plan assets at end of period	0	0
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | Equity funds - international-based companies	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of plan assets at end of period	0	0
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | Fixed income funds	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of plan assets at end of period	0	0
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | Other	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of plan assets at end of period	$0	$0

Related_Party_Transactions_Det

Related Party Transactions (Details) (Services Agreement, Management, USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014
Services Agreement | Management	'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'
Maximum success fee	$1.80
Expenses from transactions with related party	$22.60

Supplemental_Information_Detai

Supplemental Information (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014		Mar. 31, 2013		Mar. 31, 2012
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]	'		'		'
Beginning balance	($47,439)		($16,493)		$49,540
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications	39,347		-31,962		-69,226
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	-3,357		1,016		3,193
Net change in other comprehensive (loss) income	35,990		-30,946		-66,033
Ending balance	-11,449		-47,439		-16,493
Defined Benefit Plans	'		'		'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]	'		'		'
Beginning balance	-83,662	[1]	-69,943	[1]	-26,893	[1]
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications	15,602	[1]	-11,332	[1]	-42,342	[1]
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	-3,357	[1]	-2,387	[1]	-708	[1]
Net change in other comprehensive (loss) income	12,245	[1]	-13,719	[1]	-43,050	[1]
Ending balance	-71,417	[1]	-83,662	[1]	-69,943	[1]
Derivatives Qualifying as Hedges	'		'		'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]	'		'		'
Beginning balance	0	[2]	-127	[2]	-10	[2]
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications	0	[2]	-3,276	[2]	-4,018	[2]
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	0	[2]	3,403	[2]	3,901	[2]
Net change in other comprehensive (loss) income	0	[2]	127	[2]	-117	[2]
Ending balance	0	[2]	0	[2]	-127	[2]
Cumulative Translation Adjustment	'		'		'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]	'		'		'
Beginning balance	36,223		53,577		76,443
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications	23,745		-17,354		-22,866
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	0		0		0
Net change in other comprehensive (loss) income	23,745		-17,354		-22,866
Ending balance	$59,968		$36,223		$53,577
[1]	See Note 10 for additional information on employee benefit plans
[2]	See Note 4 for additional information on derivatives.

Segment_Information_Financial_

Segment Information (Financial Information) (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

24 Months Ended

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Jun. 30, 2012

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2012

Mar. 31, 2012

Segment

Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of segments

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4

'

'

'

Net sales

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net sales

$715,723

$759,666

$697,802

$682,242

$761,689

$804,879

$711,692

$693,438

$2,855,433

$2,971,698

$3,084,650

'

Operating income (loss) by segment

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Operating income by segment

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

18,977

18,134

89,753

'

Restructuring and impairments, net

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-27,989

-71,495

-10,878

-10,878

Operating income (loss)

-1,624

12,027

5,439

-24,854

-65,974

4,726

6,836

1,054

-9,012

-53,361

78,875

'

Depreciation & Amortization

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Depreciation and amortization

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

81,280

80,187

84,353

'

Capital expenditures

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Capital expenditures

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

81,769

101,501

109,836

'

Transportation Americas

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net sales

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net sales

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

760,412

879,831

907,838

'

Operating income (loss) by segment

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Operating income by segment

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-7,739

-23,158

9,513

'

Restructuring and impairments, net

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-16,451

-57,104

'

-2,369

Depreciation & Amortization

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Depreciation and amortization

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

25,476

28,465

28,215

'

Capital expenditures

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Capital expenditures

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

27,709

32,105

38,872

'

Transportation Europe & ROW

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net sales

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net sales

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

930,036

926,978

1,014,292

'

Operating income (loss) by segment

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Operating income by segment

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

19,561

20,335

55,928

'

Restructuring and impairments, net

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-4,421

-8,163

'

-4,115

Depreciation & Amortization

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Depreciation and amortization

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

21,513

19,052

18,590

'

Capital expenditures

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Capital expenditures

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

33,242

36,323

40,195

'

Industrial Energy Americas

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net sales

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net sales

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

365,633

368,386

339,328

'

Operating income (loss) by segment

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Operating income by segment

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

25,185

28,266

41,657

'

Restructuring and impairments, net

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-417

-1,136

'

-652

Depreciation & Amortization

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Depreciation and amortization

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

11,514

10,963

11,701

'

Capital expenditures

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Capital expenditures

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4,128

9,313

7,392

'

Industrial Energy Europe & ROW

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net sales

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net sales

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

799,352

796,503

823,192

'

Operating income (loss) by segment

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Operating income by segment

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

16,004

21,787

14,435

'

Restructuring and impairments, net

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-6,321

-4,613

'

-2,301

Depreciation & Amortization

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Depreciation and amortization

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

18,024

17,386

21,039

'

Capital expenditures

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Capital expenditures

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

12,896

16,120

15,915

'

Unallocated corporate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Operating income (loss) by segment

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Operating income by segment

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-34,034

-29,096

-31,780

'

Restructuring and impairments, net

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-379

-479

'

-1,441

Depreciation & Amortization

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Depreciation and amortization

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4,753

4,321

4,808

'

Capital expenditures

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Capital expenditures

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$3,794

$7,640

$7,462

'

Segment_Information_Geographic

Segment Information (Geographic Information) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues from External Customers	$715,723	$759,666	$697,802	$682,242	$761,689	$804,879	$711,692	$693,438	$2,855,433	$2,971,698	$3,084,650
Long-Lived Assets	576,412	'	'	'	558,115	'	'	'	576,412	558,115	'
United States	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues from External Customers	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,126,045	1,248,217	1,247,166
Long-Lived Assets	228,861	'	'	'	235,665	'	'	'	228,861	235,665	'
France	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues from External Customers	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	190,112	190,730	200,456
Long-Lived Assets	16,603	'	'	'	15,807	'	'	'	16,603	15,807	'
Germany	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues from External Customers	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	393,314	382,521	434,051
Long-Lived Assets	63,820	'	'	'	62,203	'	'	'	63,820	62,203	'
Italy	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues from External Customers	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	236,416	217,403	229,271
Long-Lived Assets	63,091	'	'	'	55,505	'	'	'	63,091	55,505	'
Spain	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues from External Customers	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	263,583	238,235	252,801
Long-Lived Assets	94,895	'	'	'	86,267	'	'	'	94,895	86,267	'
Poland	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues from External Customers	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	114,388	105,813	107,519
Long-Lived Assets	57,927	'	'	'	48,734	'	'	'	57,927	48,734	'
Other	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues from External Customers	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	531,575	588,779	613,386
Long-Lived Assets	$51,215	'	'	'	$53,934	'	'	'	$51,215	$53,934	'

Selected_Quarterly_Financial_D2

Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Net sales	$715,723,000	$759,666,000	$697,802,000	$682,242,000	$761,689,000	$804,879,000	$711,692,000	$693,438,000	$2,855,433,000	$2,971,698,000	$3,084,650,000
Gross profit	101,663,000	110,024,000	96,734,000	76,039,000	89,310,000	120,070,000	103,659,000	94,255,000	384,460,000	407,295,000	484,828,000
Operating income (loss)	-1,624,000	12,027,000	5,439,000	-24,854,000	-65,974,000	4,726,000	6,836,000	1,054,000	-9,012,000	-53,361,000	78,875,000
Loss before income taxes	-50,536,000	-33,133,000	-36,990,000	-90,913,000	-87,001,000	-11,639,000	-9,880,000	-14,656,000	-211,572,000	-123,176,000	751,000
Net loss attributable to Exide Technologies	-51,810,000	-34,692,000	-40,175,000	-91,133,000	-87,580,000	-15,443,000	-13,878,000	-106,498,000	-217,810,000	-223,399,000	56,739,000
Basic (in dollars per share)	($0.66)	($0.44)	($0.51)	($1.17)	($1.13)	($0.20)	($0.18)	($1.38)	($2.80)	($2.89)	$0.73
Diluted (in dollars per share)	($0.66)	($0.44)	($0.51)	($1.17)	($1.13)	($0.20)	($0.18)	($1.38)	($2.80)	($2.89)	$0.69
Cost of sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	2,470,973,000	2,564,403,000	2,599,822,000
Restructuring and impairment	'	'	'	'	55,100,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Restatement Adjustment	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Cost of sales	$2,500,000	$1,600,000	$400,000	$500,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'

Schedule_II_Valuation_and_Qual1

Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Balance	$32,773	$35,319	$36,811
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts	'	'	'
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Balance	20,103	20,339	29,227
Additions / Adjustments Charged to Expense	1,270	1,284	1,529
Deductions/ Charge- offs	-2,324	-928	-9,039
Currency Translation	440	-592	-1,378
Balance	19,489	20,103	20,339
Valuation Allowance on Deferred Tax Assets	'	'	'
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Balance	242,735	103,539	239,509
Additions / Adjustments Charged to Expense	60,588	141,655	4,736
Deductions/ Charge- offs	-17,671	-1,793	-125,983
Currency Translation	1,279	-666	-14,723
Balance	$286,931	$242,735	$103,539