ALPHARETTA, Ga., Feb. 5, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Exide Technologies (Nasdaq:XIDE) (www.exide.com), a global leader in stored electrical-energy solutions, announced today a new battery supply agreement with Penske Truck Leasing Co., L.P. Headquartered in Reading, Pa., Penske is a global transportation services company that provides complete fleet management services including full service truck leasing, truck rentals, contract maintenance, and logistics solutions.

Exide's new alliance with Penske includes the supply of Exide Group 31 RoadForce(r) AGM-200 heavy-duty batteries for Penske's new trucks as well as providing a comprehensive range of premium, heavy-duty flooded batteries for Penske's existing fleet of trucks at locations throughout the United States.

"We strive to provide customers with products and services of the highest quality to help them maximize their fleets' performance," said Marc Althen, Senior Vice President Administration and Procurement for Penske Truck Leasing. "We also understand the environmental advantages of premium absorbed glass mat (AGM) batteries and the improvements to lifecycle and vibration protection this technology brings our vehicles. Exide provides both the service and products that our customers have come to expect from us."

With a highly efficient, flat plate AGM configuration, the Exide RoadForce(r) AGM-200 battery provides advanced starting power for high energy requirements in vehicles including heavy-duty trucks, buses and farm and construction equipment. The advanced AGM technology also makes these batteries non-spillable under normal operating conditions and capable of being installed in almost any orientation (inverted not recommended). In addition, the Exide RoadForce(r) AGM-200 is engineered to handle the greater demands of the no-idle environment, offering twice the cycling life, 14 times more vibration resistance, 60 percent longer shelf life, and 40 percent greater charge acceptance than conventional flooded group size 31 offerings. (Claims based on lab testing for XRF-31/RoadForce(r) vs. conventional flooded 31 product).

"Today's heavy-duty commercial markets demand high power, high performing batteries that can withstand extreme environments and endure in the most rugged of applications," said Bruce Cole, President - Transportation Americas for Exide Technologies. "The Exide RoadForce(r) AGM-200 gives Exide expanded presence in these growing markets with distinct, advanced power requirements."

The Exide RoadForce(r) AGM-200 incorporates a number of other features that contribute to the battery's performance for heavy-duty applications:

 * Increased post diameter/larger lead base: supplies superior
   current-carrying capacity and vibration protection.
 * Lead/calcium/tin/silver/alloy: offers longer life under extreme
   operating conditions.
 * Cast-on-strap construction with special oval weld: establishes a
   high-integrity plate-on-strap bond for reduced internal resistance
   and prolonged battery life.
 * Heavy, robust cast grids: provide enhanced resistance to corrosion
   and mechanical stability for superior vibration and cycling
   performance.
 * Special pressure venting system: individual pressure vents designed
   to avoid cell-to-cell vapor transport, resulting in decreased cell
   imbalance and increased life.

"Our new relationship with Penske Truck Leasing is confirmation that a leading transportation services company recognizes our ability to manufacture and deliver premium products and services along with ever-increasing levels of quality and reliability," said Gordon Ulsh, President and Chief Executive Officer of Exide Technologies. "By doing so, we deliver maximum value for our customers -- enabling them to deliver maximum value to their own customers."

About Exide Technologies

Exide Technologies, with operations in more than 80 countries, is one of the world's largest producers and recyclers of lead-acid batteries. The Company's four global business groups -- Transportation Americas, Transportation Europe and Rest of World, Industrial Energy Americas and Industrial Energy Europe and Rest of World -- provide a comprehensive range of stored electrical energy products and services for industrial and transportation applications.

Transportation markets include original-equipment and aftermarket automotive, heavy-duty truck, agricultural and marine applications, and new technologies for hybrid vehicles and automotive applications. Industrial markets include network power applications such as telecommunications systems, electric utilities, railroads, photovoltaic (solar-power related) and uninterruptible power supply (UPS), and motive-power applications including lift trucks, mining and other commercial vehicles.

Further information about Exide, including its financial results, are available at www.exide.com.

The Exide Technologies logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=5067

About Penske Truck Leasing

Penske Truck Leasing Co., L.P., headquartered in Reading, Pa., is a joint venture among Penske Corporation, Penske Automotive Group and General Electric. A leading global transportation services provider, Penske operates more than 200,000 vehicles and serves customers from more than 1,000 locations in North America, South America, Europe and Asia. Product lines include full-service truck leasing, contract maintenance, commercial and consumer truck rentals, and supply chain management solutions. Visit www.GoPenske.com to learn more about the company and its products and services.

CONTACT: J.Addams & Partners, Inc.
         MEDIA CONTACTS:
         Jeannine Addams
           jfaddams@jaddams.com
         Kristin Wohlleben
           kwohlleben@jaddams.com
         404/231-1132
         
         Penske
         MEDIA CONTACT:
         Randy Ryerson, Dir. Corp. Comm.
         610/775.6408
         randolph.ryerson@penske.com
         
         Exide Technologies
         INVESTOR CONTACT:
         Carol Knies, Senior Director of Investor Relations
         678/566-9316
         carol.knies@exide.com