MILTON, Ga., Oct. 29, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Exide Technologies, (Nasdaq:XIDE) (www.exide.com), a global leader in stored electrical-energy solutions and the maker of the Official Battery of NASCAR(R), announces the launch of the newest heavy duty battery to join its portfolio -- the Exide(R) Extreme(TM) Cycler 200. At the Company's exhibit at AAPEX 2009, the annual trade show representing the $405 billion global automotive aftermarket, Exide will feature the recently introduced Group 31 product -- an affordable power solution designed to meet the ever increasing demands of the heavy duty aftermarket.

The Exide(R) Extreme(TM) Cycler 200 battery is engineered to handle not just the high-energy needs of a modern commercial vehicle, but the greater power demands driven by the no-idle legislation. The product is capable of deeper discharge, superior vibration resistance and higher cycling than conventional flooded product -- an offering that adds up to superior performance and greater affordability in the most demanding of conditions.

Exide(R) Extreme(TM) Cycler 200: Ideal Power Match for the Demanding Heavy-Duty Market

The operating environment of the 21st century places high energy requirements on a truck battery. Higher load demands during key-on and key-off periods, anti-idling legislation, an increased number of driver comfort accessories, and the need to reduce emissions and fuel consumption all mean that batteries must do more than just start the vehicle.

Electronic controls and accessories, GPS systems, and increasing cab comforts all add to the energy demands during key-on periods. Maintaining cab comforts during key-off periods creates an additional and somewhat different energy requirement. Finally, the need to minimize idle time, whether driven by regulation or fuel costs, results in more frequent starts and thus shorter re-charge time between starts. Because batteries are cycled more deeply and frequently than in the past, they must be closely suited to the particular commercial application.

Exide's design, development and introduction of the Group 31 Exide(R) Extreme(TM) Cycler 200 battery is an affordable power solution for these types of conditions. Available with a robust power level of 700 cold-cranking amps (CCA) and 200 minutes reserve capacity (RC), the flooded product is a bridge between the pre-existing Group 31 product lines that the Company already offers and the Exide RoadForce(R) AGM-200 battery -- a premium, valve-regulated absorbed glass mat product introduced in 2007.