Product Will Debut on New Ford Focus ST

FRANKFURT, GERMANY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2005 - Tenneco Automotive (NYSE: TEN) today launched a monotube shock absorber with an innovative Monotube Blow Off (MTBO) valve that offers improved tuneability, damping consistency and durability. The new Ford Focus ST, which will be introduced in Europe later this year, will include shocks featuring the new MTBO valve.

Monotube shock absorbers are single tube high-pressure gas shocks, which offer enhanced vehicle stability and handling with design features that provide more mounting options and higher damping levels compared with similar twin tube shocks. With the MTBO valve, low damping forces can be independently tuned in rebound and compression modes. The system also independently adjusts damping blow-off levels and damping progression rates in mid- to high-speed ranges. The MTBO valve differs from standard monotube valve designs where damping force level and progression rate are mutually dependent.

"The new MTBO valve system demonstrates our commitment to continuously improving existing technologies to reduce the compromise between ride comfort and handling," said Mark P. Frissora, chairman and CEO, Tenneco Automotive. "The addition of the MTBO valve to our advanced suspension technologies portfolio demonstrates the extent to which Tenneco Automotive is committed to developing value-added solutions that directly influence consumer choice."

The MTBO system's superior damping consistency, tuneability and durability are achieved not only by the sophisticated design of the valve, but also by using high precision process technology including single piece force adjustment and laser welding.

The new MTBO valve was designed and tested at Tenneco Automotive's state-of-the-art Monroe Engineering and Technology Centre in Belgium. Production will be at the company's ride control manufacturing facility in Hodkovice, Czech Republic.

The company is discussing the application of this technology with other OEMs.

Tenneco Automotive is a $4.2 billion manufacturing company with headquarters in Lake Forest, Illinois and approximately 18,400 employees worldwide. Tenneco Automotive is one of the world's largest designers, manufacturers and marketers of emission control and ride control products and systems for the automotive original equipment market and the aftermarket. Tenneco Automotive markets its products principally under the Monroe®, Walker®, Gillet® and Clevite® Elastomer brand names. Among its products are Sensa-Trac® and Monroe Reflex® shocks and struts, Rancho® shock absorbers, Walker® Quiet-Flow® mufflers, Dynomax® performance exhaust products, and Clevite® Elastomer noise, vibration and harshness control components.

This press release contains forward-looking statements. Words such as "will" and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on the current expectations of the company (including its subsidiaries). Because these forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, the company's plans, actions and actual results could differ materially. Among the factors that could cause these plans, actions and results to differ materially from current expectations are: (i) changes in automotive manufacturers' production rates and their actual and forecasted requirements for the company's products and the company's resultant inability to realize the sales represented by its awarded book of business; (ii) changes in consumer demand and prices, including decreases in demand for automobiles which include the company's products and the potential negative impact on the company's revenues and margins from such products; (iii) the general political, economic and competitive conditions in markets where the company and its subsidiaries operate; (iv) workforce factors such as strikes or labor interruptions; and (v) the timing and occurrence (or non-occurrence) of transactions and events which may be subject to circumstances beyond the control of the company and its subsidiaries. These and other factors are described in more detail in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including in its Annual Report on Form 10-K. The company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this press release.

CONTACT:
Tenneco Automotive Media Relations - Europe
Margie Pazikas
(32) 2 706 9470
margie.pazikas@eu.tenneco-automotive.com

Tenneco Automotive Media Relations
Jane Ostrander
(1) 847 482 5607
jane.ostrander@tenneco-automotive.com

Tenneco Automotive Media Relations - Europe
Simonetta Esposito
(32) 2 706 9147
simonetta.esposito@eu.tenneco-automotive.com