|
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail)
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified |
12 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Mar. 31, 2013
USD ($)
|
Mar. 31, 2012
USD ($)
|
Mar. 31, 2013
2011 Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility
USD ($)
|
Mar. 31, 2013
China Term Loan due 2017
CNY
|
Mar. 31, 2013
India Term Loan due 2017
INR
|
Mar. 31, 2013
Senior Unsecured 3.375% Convertible Notes Due 2038
USD ($)
|
Mar. 31, 2013
Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units
|
Mar. 31, 2013
Minimum
|
Mar. 31, 2013
Minimum
Reserve Power Batteries
|
Mar. 31, 2013
Minimum
Motive Power Batteries
|
Mar. 31, 2013
Minimum
Land, Buildings and Improvements
|
Mar. 31, 2013
Minimum
Machinery and Equipment
|
Mar. 31, 2013
Maximum
|
Mar. 31, 2013
Maximum
Reserve Power Batteries
|
Mar. 31, 2013
Maximum
Motive Power Batteries
|
Mar. 31, 2013
Maximum
Land, Buildings and Improvements
|
Mar. 31, 2013
Maximum
Machinery and Equipment
|
|
| Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] | |||||||||||||||||
| Percentage of investment ownership, consolidated | 50.00% | ||||||||||||||||
| Percentage of investment ownership, equity method | 20.00% | 50.00% | |||||||||||||||
| Percentage of investment ownership, cost method | 20.00% | ||||||||||||||||
| Product warranty for a period | 1 year | 1 year | 20 years | 7 years | |||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents include all highly liquid investments with an original maturity, when purchased, in months | 3 months | ||||||||||||||||
| Property, plant, and equipment, useful life | 10 years | 3 years | 33 years | 15 years | |||||||||||||
| Estimated useful lives of finite-lived assets | 3 years | 20 years | |||||||||||||||
| Fair value of Company's new senior secured revolving credit facility | $ 350,000 | 75,000 | 273,780 | ||||||||||||||
| Convertible Notes | $ 172,500 | $ 172,500 | $ 172,500 | ||||||||||||||
| Interest rate of debt instrument | 3.375% | ||||||||||||||||
| Recognizes the largest amount of the benefit that is greater realized upon ultimate settlement, percentage | 50.00% | ||||||||||||||||
| Market share units converted into common stock for each unit | 0 | 2 | |||||||||||||||
| Percentage of restricted stock units granted, vested per year | 25.00% | ||||||||||||||||
| Vesting period, in years | 4 years | ||||||||||||||||