Tenneco Automotive Grows Revenue And Improves Operational Profit

Record quarterly revenue of $1.03 billion
First quarter EBIT up 5 percent - adjusted EBIT up 33 percent
Adjusted EPS improves significantly
Record low debt net of cash balances of $1.277 billion at quarter-end

LAKE FOREST, ILLINOIS, APRIL 20, 2004 - Tenneco Automotive (NYSE: TEN) Tenneco Automotive (NYSE: TEN) announced today that the company reported a first quarter 2004 net loss of $2 million, or 5-cents per share, compared with net income of $1 million, or 2-cents per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2003. The company's reported EBIT (earnings before interest, taxes, and minority interest) increased 5 percent to $33 million versus $31 million in first quarter 2003. EBITDA (EBIT before depreciation and amortization expense) increased to $78 million compared with $70 million in first quarter 2003. (See the table that reconciles EBITDA in attachment 2 to the press release.)

Adjusted for the items described below, first quarter 2004 net income was $6 million, or 15-cents per diluted share, versus 1-cent per diluted share in first quarter 2003, and first quarter 2004 EBIT was $47 million compared to $36 million in first quarter 2003.

Adjusted first quarter 2004 and 2003 results:

First quarter 2004 adjustments:

Restructuring and restructuring related costs of $5 million pre-tax, $3 million after-tax, or 7-cents per diluted share;
Expenses of $6 million pre-tax, $3 million after-tax, or 8-cents per diluted share, associated with the changeover costs for a major new aftermarket customer;
Expenses of $3 million pre-tax, $2 million after-tax, or 5-cents per diluted share, related to consulting fees indexed to the stock price based on a 1999 agreement for implementing EVA®, a shareholder value improvement initiative.

First quarter 2003 adjustments:

Restructuring and restructuring related costs of $5 million pre-tax, $2 million after-tax, or 7-cents per diluted share;
Tax benefit of $3 million, or 8-cents per diluted share.

We continue to build momentum toward achieving our long-term objectives as evidenced by our strong revenue generation of more than $1 billion in the quarter and a 33 percent improvement in operating income on an adjusted basis," said Mark P. Frissora, chairman and CEO, Tenneco Automotive. "We are aggressively pursuing growth opportunities globally while maintaining our relentless focus on cost management and operational efficiency improvements."

Interest expense in the first quarter 2004 was $4 million higher than the same period one year ago as a result of the debt refinancing initiatives the company implemented in 2003. The 2003 debt refinancing initiatives improved the company's financial flexibility by providing a committed long-term source of liquidity and extending nearly all of its debt maturities to 2009 and beyond.

Cash flow before financing activities was a use of $2 million in the quarter compared with cash inflow of $10 million in the first quarter of 2003. Cash used for working capital was an outflow of $26 million in the quarter as a result of higher receivables related to sales volumes and higher inventory levels due to new customers and seasonal inventory builds in anticipation of the aftermarket summer selling period. This outflow was partially offset by $11 million in proceeds from the sale of the company's facility in Birmingham, U.K. Cash flow performance resulted in end of quarter cash balances of $149 million and total debt of $1.426 billion, or debt net of cash balances of $1.277 billion.

Tenneco Automotive outperformed the requirements of its bank debt covenants in the quarter. At March 31, the leverage ratio was 3.97, below the maximum limit of 5.00; the fixed charge coverage ratio was 1.76, exceeding the minimum required ratio of 1.10; and the interest coverage ratio was 2.77, exceeding the minimum coverage ratio of 2.00.

The company reported record high quarterly revenue of $1.03 billion, up 12 percent compared with $921 million in first quarter 2003. Favorable currency exchange rates benefited revenue by $62 million in the quarter. Excluding the impact of favorable currency, revenue was up 5 percent.

The company's operational improvement initiatives continued to generate savings. Six Sigma programs generated $5 million in savings toward a 2004 goal of $20 million and the company realized $6 million in incremental savings from restructuring activities including $2 million from Project Genesis restructuring. The company's gross margin in the quarter was 19.7 percent, an increase over first quarter 2003 gross margin of 19.3 percent.

"Our original equipment revenue in both North America and Europe outpaced market production as we continue to benefit from our position on top-selling vehicle platforms globally and our established presence with Japanese original equipment manufacturers," said Frissora. "Our results continue to be negatively impacted by the European aftermarket business. However, I am encouraged with the strengthening in our North American aftermarket business, where we launched significant new ride control business this quarter and where we have seen six consecutive months of improvement in the exhaust segment."

NORTH AMERICA

North American original equipment revenue was $381 million, up 2 percent compared with $373 million in first quarter 2003 and versus a market production decline of 1 percent. Excluding the impact of currency and catalytic converter pass-through sales, revenue was up 1 percent. The company's strong position on high volume OE models drove the increase.
North American aftermarket revenue was $122 million, up 13 percent compared with first quarter 2003 revenue of $108 million. The increase was primarily the result of a 19 percent increase in ride control sales, largely driven by new customers as well as sales of the company's new car care appearance products.
EBIT for North American operations was $30 million versus $28 million in first quarter 2003. The EBIT increase was due to strong OE and aftermarket volumes and improved manufacturing efficiencies.
First quarter 2004 EBIT results include $2 million in restructuring and restructuring related costs; $6 million related to changeover costs with a new aftermarket customer (the company anticipates up to $3 million in additional changeover costs through the end of 2004); and a $1 million expense for consulting fees indexed to the stock price based on a 1999 agreement. First quarter 2003 EBIT results include $3 million in restructuring and restructuring related expenses.
Excluding the above items, first quarter 2004 North America adjusted EBIT was $39 million, versus adjusted 2003 EBIT of $31 million.

EUROPE

European original equipment revenue increased 22 percent to $328 million, versus $269 million in first quarter 2003, despite a 1 percent market decline in light vehicle production. Excluding catalytic converter pass-through sales and the impact of favorable currency exchange rates, revenue increased 13 percent.
The company's European aftermarket revenue was $80 million compared with $76 million in first quarter 2003. Excluding the favorable currency impact, revenue was down 8 percent. Continued lower demand for exhaust products and softer ride control sales negatively impacted European aftermarket results.
European EBIT was a loss of $3 million compared with a first quarter 2003 loss of $1 million. Aftermarket volume declines and overcapacity in the aftermarket exhaust segment more than offset the benefit of higher OE ride control volumes, manufacturing efficiencies and tight spending controls. Europe's operational improvement was also negatively impacted by pull-forward pricing adjustments made for two OE customers; higher aftermarket promotional costs; higher depreciation expenses related to five new just-in-time (JIT) manufacturing facilities opened within the past year; and higher stock-based compensation costs, which when combined, totaled $6 million. First quarter 2004 EBIT benefited from $1 million of favorable currency translation.
First quarter 2004 European EBIT results include $3 million in restructuring and restructuring related costs; and a $1 million expense for consulting fees indexed to the stock price based on a 1999 agreement. First quarter 2003 EBIT results include $2 million in restructuring and restructuring related expenses.
Excluding the above items, European EBIT was flat year-over-year at $1 million.

REST OF WORLD

Revenue from Asian operations increased to $39 million from $36 million in the first quarter of last year. The increase was driven by strong OE exhaust volumes in China.
In South America, revenue grew to $35 million compared with $26 million in first quarter 2003. Improved OE sales and favorable currency drove the increase. Excluding the impact of favorable currency, revenue increased 18 percent.
Australian operations reported an increase in revenue to $49 million from $33 million in first quarter 2003, driven by strong OE volumes and favorable currency. Excluding the impact of favorable currency, revenue increased 14 percent.
Reported combined EBIT for Asia, South America and Australia was $6 million versus $4 million in first quarter 2003. The increase was the result of strong OE volumes in all regions and favorable currency in South America and Australia.
First quarter 2004 EBIT results include a $1 million expense for consulting fees indexed to the stock price based on a 1999 agreement.
Excluding the above item, adjusted EBIT for Asia, South America and Australia was $7 million versus $4 million in first quarter 2003.

Attachment 1 to this press release provides additional information on Tenneco Automotive's first quarter results.

Attachment 2:

These files are provided in a PDF format.
Acrobat Reader® required. Download the latest version for free:

CONFERENCE CALL
The company will host a conference call on April 20, 2004 at 10:30 a.m. EDT. The dial-in number is 888 730-9138 (domestic) or 630 395-0019 (international). The passcode is Tenneco Auto. The call will be available on the financial section of the Tenneco Automotive web site at www.tenneco-automotive.com. A copy of the press release is available on the financial and news sections of the Tenneco Automotive web site. A recording of this call will be available one hour following the completion of the call on April 20, 2004 through April 27, 2004. To access this recording, dial 888 568-0399 (domestic) or 420 530-7938 (international).

2004 ANNUAL MEETING
Tenneco Automotive's annual meeting of shareholders will be on Tuesday, May 11, 2004 at 10:00 a.m. CDT. The meeting will be held at the corporate headquarters, 500 North Field Drive, Lake Forest, Illinois.

Tenneco Automotive is a $3.8 billion manufacturing company with headquarters in Lake Forest, Illinois and approximately 19,200 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 within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "continue," "achieving," "pursuing" 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) the general political, economic and competitive conditions in markets and countries where the company and its subsidiaries operate, including the strength of other currencies relative to the U.S. dollar and currency fluctuations and other risks associated with operating in foreign countries; (ii) governmental actions, including the ability to receive regulatory approvals and the timing of such approvals; (iii) changes in capital availability or costs, including increases in the company's costs of borrowing (i.e., interest rate increases), the amount of the company's debt, the ability of the company to access capital markets and the credit ratings of the company's debt; (iv) changes in automotive manufacturers' production rates and their actual and forecasted requirements for the company's products, including the overall highly competitive nature of the automotive parts industry, and the company's resultant inability to realize the sales represented by its awarded book of business which is based on anticipated pricing for the applicable program over its life, and is subject to increases or decreases due to changes in customer requirements, customer and consumer preferences, and the number of vehicles actually produced by customers; (v) the cyclical nature of the global vehicular industry, including the performance of the global aftermarket sector, and changes in consumer demand and prices, including longer product lives of automobile parts and the cyclicality of automotive production and sales of automobiles which include the company's products, and the potential negative impact on the company's revenues and margins from such products; (vi) the cost and outcome of existing and any future legal proceedings, and compliance with changes in regulations, including environmental regulations; (vii) workforce factors such as strikes or labor interruptions; (viii) material substitutions and increases in the costs of raw materials; (ix) the company's continued success in cost reduction and cash management programs and its ability to execute restructuring and other cost reduction plans and to realize anticipated benefits from these plans; (x) the company's ability to develop and profitably commercialize new products and technologies, and the acceptance of such new products and technologies by the company's customers and the market; (xi) further changes in the distribution channels for the company's aftermarket products, further consolidations among automotive parts customers and suppliers, and product warranty costs; (xii) changes by the Financing Accounting Standards Board or other accounting regulatory bodies of authoritative generally accepted accounting principles or policies; (xiii) acts of war, riots or terrorism, including, but not limited to the events taking place in the Middle East, the current military action in Iraq and the continuing war on terrorism, as well as actions taken or to be taken by the United States or other governments as a result of further acts or threats of terrorism, and the impact of these acts on economic, financial and social conditions in the countries where we operate and (xiv) 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. The company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this press release. Additional information regarding these risk factors and uncertainties is detailed from time to time in the company's SEC filings, including but not limited to its report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003. Further information can be found on the company's web site at www.tenneco-automotive.com.

CONTACT:
Tenneco Automotive, Media Relations
Jim Spangler
(1) 847 482 5810
james.spangler@tenneco-automotive.com

Tenneco Automotive, Investor Relations
Leslie Hunziker,
847/482-5042
leslie.hunziker@tenneco-automotive.com

Back

Record quarterly revenue of $1.03 billion
First quarter EBIT up 5 percent - adjusted EBIT up 33 percent
Adjusted EPS improves significantly
Record low debt net of cash balances of $1.277 billion at quarter-end

LAKE FOREST, ILLINOIS, APRIL 20, 2004 - Tenneco Automotive (NYSE: TEN) Tenneco Automotive (NYSE: TEN) announced today that the company reported a first quarter 2004 net loss of $2 million, or 5-cents per share, compared with net income of $1 million, or 2-cents per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2003. The company's reported EBIT (earnings before interest, taxes, and minority interest) increased 5 percent to $33 million versus $31 million in first quarter 2003. EBITDA (EBIT before depreciation and amortization expense) increased to $78 million compared with $70 million in first quarter 2003. (See the table that reconciles EBITDA in attachment 2 to the press release.)

Adjusted for the items described below, first quarter 2004 net income was $6 million, or 15-cents per diluted share, versus 1-cent per diluted share in first quarter 2003, and first quarter 2004 EBIT was $47 million compared to $36 million in first quarter 2003.

Adjusted first quarter 2004 and 2003 results:

First quarter 2004 adjustments:

Restructuring and restructuring related costs of $5 million pre-tax, $3 million after-tax, or 7-cents per diluted share;
Expenses of $6 million pre-tax, $3 million after-tax, or 8-cents per diluted share, associated with the changeover costs for a major new aftermarket customer;
Expenses of $3 million pre-tax, $2 million after-tax, or 5-cents per diluted share, related to consulting fees indexed to the stock price based on a 1999 agreement for implementing EVA®, a shareholder value improvement initiative.

First quarter 2003 adjustments:

Restructuring and restructuring related costs of $5 million pre-tax, $2 million after-tax, or 7-cents per diluted share;
Tax benefit of $3 million, or 8-cents per diluted share.

We continue to build momentum toward achieving our long-term objectives as evidenced by our strong revenue generation of more than $1 billion in the quarter and a 33 percent improvement in operating income on an adjusted basis," said Mark P. Frissora, chairman and CEO, Tenneco Automotive. "We are aggressively pursuing growth opportunities globally while maintaining our relentless focus on cost management and operational efficiency improvements."

Interest expense in the first quarter 2004 was $4 million higher than the same period one year ago as a result of the debt refinancing initiatives the company implemented in 2003. The 2003 debt refinancing initiatives improved the company's financial flexibility by providing a committed long-term source of liquidity and extending nearly all of its debt maturities to 2009 and beyond.

Cash flow before financing activities was a use of $2 million in the quarter compared with cash inflow of $10 million in the first quarter of 2003. Cash used for working capital was an outflow of $26 million in the quarter as a result of higher receivables related to sales volumes and higher inventory levels due to new customers and seasonal inventory builds in anticipation of the aftermarket summer selling period. This outflow was partially offset by $11 million in proceeds from the sale of the company's facility in Birmingham, U.K. Cash flow performance resulted in end of quarter cash balances of $149 million and total debt of $1.426 billion, or debt net of cash balances of $1.277 billion.

Tenneco Automotive outperformed the requirements of its bank debt covenants in the quarter. At March 31, the leverage ratio was 3.97, below the maximum limit of 5.00; the fixed charge coverage ratio was 1.76, exceeding the minimum required ratio of 1.10; and the interest coverage ratio was 2.77, exceeding the minimum coverage ratio of 2.00.

The company reported record high quarterly revenue of $1.03 billion, up 12 percent compared with $921 million in first quarter 2003. Favorable currency exchange rates benefited revenue by $62 million in the quarter. Excluding the impact of favorable currency, revenue was up 5 percent.

The company's operational improvement initiatives continued to generate savings. Six Sigma programs generated $5 million in savings toward a 2004 goal of $20 million and the company realized $6 million in incremental savings from restructuring activities including $2 million from Project Genesis restructuring. The company's gross margin in the quarter was 19.7 percent, an increase over first quarter 2003 gross margin of 19.3 percent.

"Our original equipment revenue in both North America and Europe outpaced market production as we continue to benefit from our position on top-selling vehicle platforms globally and our established presence with Japanese original equipment manufacturers," said Frissora. "Our results continue to be negatively impacted by the European aftermarket business. However, I am encouraged with the strengthening in our North American aftermarket business, where we launched significant new ride control business this quarter and where we have seen six consecutive months of improvement in the exhaust segment."

NORTH AMERICA

North American original equipment revenue was $381 million, up 2 percent compared with $373 million in first quarter 2003 and versus a market production decline of 1 percent. Excluding the impact of currency and catalytic converter pass-through sales, revenue was up 1 percent. The company's strong position on high volume OE models drove the increase.
North American aftermarket revenue was $122 million, up 13 percent compared with first quarter 2003 revenue of $108 million. The increase was primarily the result of a 19 percent increase in ride control sales, largely driven by new customers as well as sales of the company's new car care appearance products.
EBIT for North American operations was $30 million versus $28 million in first quarter 2003. The EBIT increase was due to strong OE and aftermarket volumes and improved manufacturing efficiencies.
First quarter 2004 EBIT results include $2 million in restructuring and restructuring related costs; $6 million related to changeover costs with a new aftermarket customer (the company anticipates up to $3 million in additional changeover costs through the end of 2004); and a $1 million expense for consulting fees indexed to the stock price based on a 1999 agreement. First quarter 2003 EBIT results include $3 million in restructuring and restructuring related expenses.
Excluding the above items, first quarter 2004 North America adjusted EBIT was $39 million, versus adjusted 2003 EBIT of $31 million.

EUROPE

European original equipment revenue increased 22 percent to $328 million, versus $269 million in first quarter 2003, despite a 1 percent market decline in light vehicle production. Excluding catalytic converter pass-through sales and the impact of favorable currency exchange rates, revenue increased 13 percent.
The company's European aftermarket revenue was $80 million compared with $76 million in first quarter 2003. Excluding the favorable currency impact, revenue was down 8 percent. Continued lower demand for exhaust products and softer ride control sales negatively impacted European aftermarket results.
European EBIT was a loss of $3 million compared with a first quarter 2003 loss of $1 million. Aftermarket volume declines and overcapacity in the aftermarket exhaust segment more than offset the benefit of higher OE ride control volumes, manufacturing efficiencies and tight spending controls. Europe's operational improvement was also negatively impacted by pull-forward pricing adjustments made for two OE customers; higher aftermarket promotional costs; higher depreciation expenses related to five new just-in-time (JIT) manufacturing facilities opened within the past year; and higher stock-based compensation costs, which when combined, totaled $6 million. First quarter 2004 EBIT benefited from $1 million of favorable currency translation.
First quarter 2004 European EBIT results include $3 million in restructuring and restructuring related costs; and a $1 million expense for consulting fees indexed to the stock price based on a 1999 agreement. First quarter 2003 EBIT results include $2 million in restructuring and restructuring related expenses.
Excluding the above items, European EBIT was flat year-over-year at $1 million.

REST OF WORLD

Revenue from Asian operations increased to $39 million from $36 million in the first quarter of last year. The increase was driven by strong OE exhaust volumes in China.
In South America, revenue grew to $35 million compared with $26 million in first quarter 2003. Improved OE sales and favorable currency drove the increase. Excluding the impact of favorable currency, revenue increased 18 percent.
Australian operations reported an increase in revenue to $49 million from $33 million in first quarter 2003, driven by strong OE volumes and favorable currency. Excluding the impact of favorable currency, revenue increased 14 percent.
Reported combined EBIT for Asia, South America and Australia was $6 million versus $4 million in first quarter 2003. The increase was the result of strong OE volumes in all regions and favorable currency in South America and Australia.
First quarter 2004 EBIT results include a $1 million expense for consulting fees indexed to the stock price based on a 1999 agreement.
Excluding the above item, adjusted EBIT for Asia, South America and Australia was $7 million versus $4 million in first quarter 2003.

Attachment 1 to this press release provides additional information on Tenneco Automotive's first quarter results.

Attachment 2:

These files are provided in a PDF format.
Acrobat Reader® required. Download the latest version for free:

CONFERENCE CALL
The company will host a conference call on April 20, 2004 at 10:30 a.m. EDT. The dial-in number is 888 730-9138 (domestic) or 630 395-0019 (international). The passcode is Tenneco Auto. The call will be available on the financial section of the Tenneco Automotive web site at www.tenneco-automotive.com. A copy of the press release is available on the financial and news sections of the Tenneco Automotive web site. A recording of this call will be available one hour following the completion of the call on April 20, 2004 through April 27, 2004. To access this recording, dial 888 568-0399 (domestic) or 420 530-7938 (international).

2004 ANNUAL MEETING
Tenneco Automotive's annual meeting of shareholders will be on Tuesday, May 11, 2004 at 10:00 a.m. CDT. The meeting will be held at the corporate headquarters, 500 North Field Drive, Lake Forest, Illinois.

Tenneco Automotive is a $3.8 billion manufacturing company with headquarters in Lake Forest, Illinois and approximately 19,200 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 within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "continue," "achieving," "pursuing" 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) the general political, economic and competitive conditions in markets and countries where the company and its subsidiaries operate, including the strength of other currencies relative to the U.S. dollar and currency fluctuations and other risks associated with operating in foreign countries; (ii) governmental actions, including the ability to receive regulatory approvals and the timing of such approvals; (iii) changes in capital availability or costs, including increases in the company's costs of borrowing (i.e., interest rate increases), the amount of the company's debt, the ability of the company to access capital markets and the credit ratings of the company's debt; (iv) changes in automotive manufacturers' production rates and their actual and forecasted requirements for the company's products, including the overall highly competitive nature of the automotive parts industry, and the company's resultant inability to realize the sales represented by its awarded book of business which is based on anticipated pricing for the applicable program over its life, and is subject to increases or decreases due to changes in customer requirements, customer and consumer preferences, and the number of vehicles actually produced by customers; (v) the cyclical nature of the global vehicular industry, including the performance of the global aftermarket sector, and changes in consumer demand and prices, including longer product lives of automobile parts and the cyclicality of automotive production and sales of automobiles which include the company's products, and the potential negative impact on the company's revenues and margins from such products; (vi) the cost and outcome of existing and any future legal proceedings, and compliance with changes in regulations, including environmental regulations; (vii) workforce factors such as strikes or labor interruptions; (viii) material substitutions and increases in the costs of raw materials; (ix) the company's continued success in cost reduction and cash management programs and its ability to execute restructuring and other cost reduction plans and to realize anticipated benefits from these plans; (x) the company's ability to develop and profitably commercialize new products and technologies, and the acceptance of such new products and technologies by the company's customers and the market; (xi) further changes in the distribution channels for the company's aftermarket products, further consolidations among automotive parts customers and suppliers, and product warranty costs; (xii) changes by the Financing Accounting Standards Board or other accounting regulatory bodies of authoritative generally accepted accounting principles or policies; (xiii) acts of war, riots or terrorism, including, but not limited to the events taking place in the Middle East, the current military action in Iraq and the continuing war on terrorism, as well as actions taken or to be taken by the United States or other governments as a result of further acts or threats of terrorism, and the impact of these acts on economic, financial and social conditions in the countries where we operate and (xiv) 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. The company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this press release. Additional information regarding these risk factors and uncertainties is detailed from time to time in the company's SEC filings, including but not limited to its report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003. Further information can be found on the company's web site at www.tenneco-automotive.com.

CONTACT:
Tenneco Automotive, Media Relations
Jim Spangler
(1) 847 482 5810
james.spangler@tenneco-automotive.com

Tenneco Automotive, Investor Relations
Leslie Hunziker,
847/482-5042
leslie.hunziker@tenneco-automotive.com

Back

Record quarterly revenue of $1.03 billion
First quarter EBIT up 5 percent - adjusted EBIT up 33 percent
Adjusted EPS improves significantly
Record low debt net of cash balances of $1.277 billion at quarter-end

LAKE FOREST, ILLINOIS, APRIL 20, 2004 - Tenneco Automotive (NYSE: TEN) Tenneco Automotive (NYSE: TEN) announced today that the company reported a first quarter 2004 net loss of $2 million, or 5-cents per share, compared with net income of $1 million, or 2-cents per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2003. The company's reported EBIT (earnings before interest, taxes, and minority interest) increased 5 percent to $33 million versus $31 million in first quarter 2003. EBITDA (EBIT before depreciation and amortization expense) increased to $78 million compared with $70 million in first quarter 2003. (See the table that reconciles EBITDA in attachment 2 to the press release.)

Adjusted for the items described below, first quarter 2004 net income was $6 million, or 15-cents per diluted share, versus 1-cent per diluted share in first quarter 2003, and first quarter 2004 EBIT was $47 million compared to $36 million in first quarter 2003.

Adjusted first quarter 2004 and 2003 results:

First quarter 2004 adjustments:

Restructuring and restructuring related costs of $5 million pre-tax, $3 million after-tax, or 7-cents per diluted share;
Expenses of $6 million pre-tax, $3 million after-tax, or 8-cents per diluted share, associated with the changeover costs for a major new aftermarket customer;
Expenses of $3 million pre-tax, $2 million after-tax, or 5-cents per diluted share, related to consulting fees indexed to the stock price based on a 1999 agreement for implementing EVA®, a shareholder value improvement initiative.

First quarter 2003 adjustments:

Restructuring and restructuring related costs of $5 million pre-tax, $2 million after-tax, or 7-cents per diluted share;
Tax benefit of $3 million, or 8-cents per diluted share.

We continue to build momentum toward achieving our long-term objectives as evidenced by our strong revenue generation of more than $1 billion in the quarter and a 33 percent improvement in operating income on an adjusted basis," said Mark P. Frissora, chairman and CEO, Tenneco Automotive. "We are aggressively pursuing growth opportunities globally while maintaining our relentless focus on cost management and operational efficiency improvements."

Interest expense in the first quarter 2004 was $4 million higher than the same period one year ago as a result of the debt refinancing initiatives the company implemented in 2003. The 2003 debt refinancing initiatives improved the company's financial flexibility by providing a committed long-term source of liquidity and extending nearly all of its debt maturities to 2009 and beyond.

Cash flow before financing activities was a use of $2 million in the quarter compared with cash inflow of $10 million in the first quarter of 2003. Cash used for working capital was an outflow of $26 million in the quarter as a result of higher receivables related to sales volumes and higher inventory levels due to new customers and seasonal inventory builds in anticipation of the aftermarket summer selling period. This outflow was partially offset by $11 million in proceeds from the sale of the company's facility in Birmingham, U.K. Cash flow performance resulted in end of quarter cash balances of $149 million and total debt of $1.426 billion, or debt net of cash balances of $1.277 billion.

Tenneco Automotive outperformed the requirements of its bank debt covenants in the quarter. At March 31, the leverage ratio was 3.97, below the maximum limit of 5.00; the fixed charge coverage ratio was 1.76, exceeding the minimum required ratio of 1.10; and the interest coverage ratio was 2.77, exceeding the minimum coverage ratio of 2.00.

The company reported record high quarterly revenue of $1.03 billion, up 12 percent compared with $921 million in first quarter 2003. Favorable currency exchange rates benefited revenue by $62 million in the quarter. Excluding the impact of favorable currency, revenue was up 5 percent.

The company's operational improvement initiatives continued to generate savings. Six Sigma programs generated $5 million in savings toward a 2004 goal of $20 million and the company realized $6 million in incremental savings from restructuring activities including $2 million from Project Genesis restructuring. The company's gross margin in the quarter was 19.7 percent, an increase over first quarter 2003 gross margin of 19.3 percent.

"Our original equipment revenue in both North America and Europe outpaced market production as we continue to benefit from our position on top-selling vehicle platforms globally and our established presence with Japanese original equipment manufacturers," said Frissora. "Our results continue to be negatively impacted by the European aftermarket business. However, I am encouraged with the strengthening in our North American aftermarket business, where we launched significant new ride control business this quarter and where we have seen six consecutive months of improvement in the exhaust segment."

NORTH AMERICA

North American original equipment revenue was $381 million, up 2 percent compared with $373 million in first quarter 2003 and versus a market production decline of 1 percent. Excluding the impact of currency and catalytic converter pass-through sales, revenue was up 1 percent. The company's strong position on high volume OE models drove the increase.
North American aftermarket revenue was $122 million, up 13 percent compared with first quarter 2003 revenue of $108 million. The increase was primarily the result of a 19 percent increase in ride control sales, largely driven by new customers as well as sales of the company's new car care appearance products.
EBIT for North American operations was $30 million versus $28 million in first quarter 2003. The EBIT increase was due to strong OE and aftermarket volumes and improved manufacturing efficiencies.
First quarter 2004 EBIT results include $2 million in restructuring and restructuring related costs; $6 million related to changeover costs with a new aftermarket customer (the company anticipates up to $3 million in additional changeover costs through the end of 2004); and a $1 million expense for consulting fees indexed to the stock price based on a 1999 agreement. First quarter 2003 EBIT results include $3 million in restructuring and restructuring related expenses.
Excluding the above items, first quarter 2004 North America adjusted EBIT was $39 million, versus adjusted 2003 EBIT of $31 million.

EUROPE

European original equipment revenue increased 22 percent to $328 million, versus $269 million in first quarter 2003, despite a 1 percent market decline in light vehicle production. Excluding catalytic converter pass-through sales and the impact of favorable currency exchange rates, revenue increased 13 percent.
The company's European aftermarket revenue was $80 million compared with $76 million in first quarter 2003. Excluding the favorable currency impact, revenue was down 8 percent. Continued lower demand for exhaust products and softer ride control sales negatively impacted European aftermarket results.
European EBIT was a loss of $3 million compared with a first quarter 2003 loss of $1 million. Aftermarket volume declines and overcapacity in the aftermarket exhaust segment more than offset the benefit of higher OE ride control volumes, manufacturing efficiencies and tight spending controls. Europe's operational improvement was also negatively impacted by pull-forward pricing adjustments made for two OE customers; higher aftermarket promotional costs; higher depreciation expenses related to five new just-in-time (JIT) manufacturing facilities opened within the past year; and higher stock-based compensation costs, which when combined, totaled $6 million. First quarter 2004 EBIT benefited from $1 million of favorable currency translation.
First quarter 2004 European EBIT results include $3 million in restructuring and restructuring related costs; and a $1 million expense for consulting fees indexed to the stock price based on a 1999 agreement. First quarter 2003 EBIT results include $2 million in restructuring and restructuring related expenses.
Excluding the above items, European EBIT was flat year-over-year at $1 million.

REST OF WORLD

Revenue from Asian operations increased to $39 million from $36 million in the first quarter of last year. The increase was driven by strong OE exhaust volumes in China.
In South America, revenue grew to $35 million compared with $26 million in first quarter 2003. Improved OE sales and favorable currency drove the increase. Excluding the impact of favorable currency, revenue increased 18 percent.
Australian operations reported an increase in revenue to $49 million from $33 million in first quarter 2003, driven by strong OE volumes and favorable currency. Excluding the impact of favorable currency, revenue increased 14 percent.
Reported combined EBIT for Asia, South America and Australia was $6 million versus $4 million in first quarter 2003. The increase was the result of strong OE volumes in all regions and favorable currency in South America and Australia.
First quarter 2004 EBIT results include a $1 million expense for consulting fees indexed to the stock price based on a 1999 agreement.
Excluding the above item, adjusted EBIT for Asia, South America and Australia was $7 million versus $4 million in first quarter 2003.

Attachment 1 to this press release provides additional information on Tenneco Automotive's first quarter results.

Attachment 2:

These files are provided in a PDF format.
Acrobat Reader® required. Download the latest version for free:

CONFERENCE CALL
The company will host a conference call on April 20, 2004 at 10:30 a.m. EDT. The dial-in number is 888 730-9138 (domestic) or 630 395-0019 (international). The passcode is Tenneco Auto. The call will be available on the financial section of the Tenneco Automotive web site at www.tenneco-automotive.com. A copy of the press release is available on the financial and news sections of the Tenneco Automotive web site. A recording of this call will be available one hour following the completion of the call on April 20, 2004 through April 27, 2004. To access this recording, dial 888 568-0399 (domestic) or 420 530-7938 (international).

2004 ANNUAL MEETING
Tenneco Automotive's annual meeting of shareholders will be on Tuesday, May 11, 2004 at 10:00 a.m. CDT. The meeting will be held at the corporate headquarters, 500 North Field Drive, Lake Forest, Illinois.

Tenneco Automotive is a $3.8 billion manufacturing company with headquarters in Lake Forest, Illinois and approximately 19,200 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 within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "continue," "achieving," "pursuing" 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) the general political, economic and competitive conditions in markets and countries where the company and its subsidiaries operate, including the strength of other currencies relative to the U.S. dollar and currency fluctuations and other risks associated with operating in foreign countries; (ii) governmental actions, including the ability to receive regulatory approvals and the timing of such approvals; (iii) changes in capital availability or costs, including increases in the company's costs of borrowing (i.e., interest rate increases), the amount of the company's debt, the ability of the company to access capital markets and the credit ratings of the company's debt; (iv) changes in automotive manufacturers' production rates and their actual and forecasted requirements for the company's products, including the overall highly competitive nature of the automotive parts industry, and the company's resultant inability to realize the sales represented by its awarded book of business which is based on anticipated pricing for the applicable program over its life, and is subject to increases or decreases due to changes in customer requirements, customer and consumer preferences, and the number of vehicles actually produced by customers; (v) the cyclical nature of the global vehicular industry, including the performance of the global aftermarket sector, and changes in consumer demand and prices, including longer product lives of automobile parts and the cyclicality of automotive production and sales of automobiles which include the company's products, and the potential negative impact on the company's revenues and margins from such products; (vi) the cost and outcome of existing and any future legal proceedings, and compliance with changes in regulations, including environmental regulations; (vii) workforce factors such as strikes or labor interruptions; (viii) material substitutions and increases in the costs of raw materials; (ix) the company's continued success in cost reduction and cash management programs and its ability to execute restructuring and other cost reduction plans and to realize anticipated benefits from these plans; (x) the company's ability to develop and profitably commercialize new products and technologies, and the acceptance of such new products and technologies by the company's customers and the market; (xi) further changes in the distribution channels for the company's aftermarket products, further consolidations among automotive parts customers and suppliers, and product warranty costs; (xii) changes by the Financing Accounting Standards Board or other accounting regulatory bodies of authoritative generally accepted accounting principles or policies; (xiii) acts of war, riots or terrorism, including, but not limited to the events taking place in the Middle East, the current military action in Iraq and the continuing war on terrorism, as well as actions taken or to be taken by the United States or other governments as a result of further acts or threats of terrorism, and the impact of these acts on economic, financial and social conditions in the countries where we operate and (xiv) 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. The company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this press release. Additional information regarding these risk factors and uncertainties is detailed from time to time in the company's SEC filings, including but not limited to its report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003. Further information can be found on the company's web site at www.tenneco-automotive.com.

CONTACT:
Tenneco Automotive, Media Relations
Jim Spangler
(1) 847 482 5810
james.spangler@tenneco-automotive.com

Tenneco Automotive, Investor Relations
Leslie Hunziker,
847/482-5042
leslie.hunziker@tenneco-automotive.com

Back

Record quarterly revenue of $1.03 billion
First quarter EBIT up 5 percent - adjusted EBIT up 33 percent
Adjusted EPS improves significantly
Record low debt net of cash balances of $1.277 billion at quarter-end

LAKE FOREST, ILLINOIS, APRIL 20, 2004 - Tenneco Automotive (NYSE: TEN) Tenneco Automotive (NYSE: TEN) announced today that the company reported a first quarter 2004 net loss of $2 million, or 5-cents per share, compared with net income of $1 million, or 2-cents per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2003. The company's reported EBIT (earnings before interest, taxes, and minority interest) increased 5 percent to $33 million versus $31 million in first quarter 2003. EBITDA (EBIT before depreciation and amortization expense) increased to $78 million compared with $70 million in first quarter 2003. (See the table that reconciles EBITDA in attachment 2 to the press release.)

Adjusted for the items described below, first quarter 2004 net income was $6 million, or 15-cents per diluted share, versus 1-cent per diluted share in first quarter 2003, and first quarter 2004 EBIT was $47 million compared to $36 million in first quarter 2003.

Adjusted first quarter 2004 and 2003 results:

First quarter 2004 adjustments:

Restructuring and restructuring related costs of $5 million pre-tax, $3 million after-tax, or 7-cents per diluted share;
Expenses of $6 million pre-tax, $3 million after-tax, or 8-cents per diluted share, associated with the changeover costs for a major new aftermarket customer;
Expenses of $3 million pre-tax, $2 million after-tax, or 5-cents per diluted share, related to consulting fees indexed to the stock price based on a 1999 agreement for implementing EVA®, a shareholder value improvement initiative.

First quarter 2003 adjustments:

Restructuring and restructuring related costs of $5 million pre-tax, $2 million after-tax, or 7-cents per diluted share;
Tax benefit of $3 million, or 8-cents per diluted share.

We continue to build momentum toward achieving our long-term objectives as evidenced by our strong revenue generation of more than $1 billion in the quarter and a 33 percent improvement in operating income on an adjusted basis," said Mark P. Frissora, chairman and CEO, Tenneco Automotive. "We are aggressively pursuing growth opportunities globally while maintaining our relentless focus on cost management and operational efficiency improvements."

Interest expense in the first quarter 2004 was $4 million higher than the same period one year ago as a result of the debt refinancing initiatives the company implemented in 2003. The 2003 debt refinancing initiatives improved the company's financial flexibility by providing a committed long-term source of liquidity and extending nearly all of its debt maturities to 2009 and beyond.

Cash flow before financing activities was a use of $2 million in the quarter compared with cash inflow of $10 million in the first quarter of 2003. Cash used for working capital was an outflow of $26 million in the quarter as a result of higher receivables related to sales volumes and higher inventory levels due to new customers and seasonal inventory builds in anticipation of the aftermarket summer selling period. This outflow was partially offset by $11 million in proceeds from the sale of the company's facility in Birmingham, U.K. Cash flow performance resulted in end of quarter cash balances of $149 million and total debt of $1.426 billion, or debt net of cash balances of $1.277 billion.

Tenneco Automotive outperformed the requirements of its bank debt covenants in the quarter. At March 31, the leverage ratio was 3.97, below the maximum limit of 5.00; the fixed charge coverage ratio was 1.76, exceeding the minimum required ratio of 1.10; and the interest coverage ratio was 2.77, exceeding the minimum coverage ratio of 2.00.

The company reported record high quarterly revenue of $1.03 billion, up 12 percent compared with $921 million in first quarter 2003. Favorable currency exchange rates benefited revenue by $62 million in the quarter. Excluding the impact of favorable currency, revenue was up 5 percent.

The company's operational improvement initiatives continued to generate savings. Six Sigma programs generated $5 million in savings toward a 2004 goal of $20 million and the company realized $6 million in incremental savings from restructuring activities including $2 million from Project Genesis restructuring. The company's gross margin in the quarter was 19.7 percent, an increase over first quarter 2003 gross margin of 19.3 percent.

"Our original equipment revenue in both North America and Europe outpaced market production as we continue to benefit from our position on top-selling vehicle platforms globally and our established presence with Japanese original equipment manufacturers," said Frissora. "Our results continue to be negatively impacted by the European aftermarket business. However, I am encouraged with the strengthening in our North American aftermarket business, where we launched significant new ride control business this quarter and where we have seen six consecutive months of improvement in the exhaust segment."

NORTH AMERICA

North American original equipment revenue was $381 million, up 2 percent compared with $373 million in first quarter 2003 and versus a market production decline of 1 percent. Excluding the impact of currency and catalytic converter pass-through sales, revenue was up 1 percent. The company's strong position on high volume OE models drove the increase.
North American aftermarket revenue was $122 million, up 13 percent compared with first quarter 2003 revenue of $108 million. The increase was primarily the result of a 19 percent increase in ride control sales, largely driven by new customers as well as sales of the company's new car care appearance products.
EBIT for North American operations was $30 million versus $28 million in first quarter 2003. The EBIT increase was due to strong OE and aftermarket volumes and improved manufacturing efficiencies.
First quarter 2004 EBIT results include $2 million in restructuring and restructuring related costs; $6 million related to changeover costs with a new aftermarket customer (the company anticipates up to $3 million in additional changeover costs through the end of 2004); and a $1 million expense for consulting fees indexed to the stock price based on a 1999 agreement. First quarter 2003 EBIT results include $3 million in restructuring and restructuring related expenses.
Excluding the above items, first quarter 2004 North America adjusted EBIT was $39 million, versus adjusted 2003 EBIT of $31 million.

EUROPE

European original equipment revenue increased 22 percent to $328 million, versus $269 million in first quarter 2003, despite a 1 percent market decline in light vehicle production. Excluding catalytic converter pass-through sales and the impact of favorable currency exchange rates, revenue increased 13 percent.
The company's European aftermarket revenue was $80 million compared with $76 million in first quarter 2003. Excluding the favorable currency impact, revenue was down 8 percent. Continued lower demand for exhaust products and softer ride control sales negatively impacted European aftermarket results.
European EBIT was a loss of $3 million compared with a first quarter 2003 loss of $1 million. Aftermarket volume declines and overcapacity in the aftermarket exhaust segment more than offset the benefit of higher OE ride control volumes, manufacturing efficiencies and tight spending controls. Europe's operational improvement was also negatively impacted by pull-forward pricing adjustments made for two OE customers; higher aftermarket promotional costs; higher depreciation expenses related to five new just-in-time (JIT) manufacturing facilities opened within the past year; and higher stock-based compensation costs, which when combined, totaled $6 million. First quarter 2004 EBIT benefited from $1 million of favorable currency translation.
First quarter 2004 European EBIT results include $3 million in restructuring and restructuring related costs; and a $1 million expense for consulting fees indexed to the stock price based on a 1999 agreement. First quarter 2003 EBIT results include $2 million in restructuring and restructuring related expenses.
Excluding the above items, European EBIT was flat year-over-year at $1 million.

REST OF WORLD

Revenue from Asian operations increased to $39 million from $36 million in the first quarter of last year. The increase was driven by strong OE exhaust volumes in China.
In South America, revenue grew to $35 million compared with $26 million in first quarter 2003. Improved OE sales and favorable currency drove the increase. Excluding the impact of favorable currency, revenue increased 18 percent.
Australian operations reported an increase in revenue to $49 million from $33 million in first quarter 2003, driven by strong OE volumes and favorable currency. Excluding the impact of favorable currency, revenue increased 14 percent.
Reported combined EBIT for Asia, South America and Australia was $6 million versus $4 million in first quarter 2003. The increase was the result of strong OE volumes in all regions and favorable currency in South America and Australia.
First quarter 2004 EBIT results include a $1 million expense for consulting fees indexed to the stock price based on a 1999 agreement.
Excluding the above item, adjusted EBIT for Asia, South America and Australia was $7 million versus $4 million in first quarter 2003.

Attachment 1 to this press release provides additional information on Tenneco Automotive's first quarter results.

Attachment 2:

These files are provided in a PDF format.
Acrobat Reader® required. Download the latest version for free:

CONFERENCE CALL
The company will host a conference call on April 20, 2004 at 10:30 a.m. EDT. The dial-in number is 888 730-9138 (domestic) or 630 395-0019 (international). The passcode is Tenneco Auto. The call will be available on the financial section of the Tenneco Automotive web site at www.tenneco-automotive.com. A copy of the press release is available on the financial and news sections of the Tenneco Automotive web site. A recording of this call will be available one hour following the completion of the call on April 20, 2004 through April 27, 2004. To access this recording, dial 888 568-0399 (domestic) or 420 530-7938 (international).

2004 ANNUAL MEETING
Tenneco Automotive's annual meeting of shareholders will be on Tuesday, May 11, 2004 at 10:00 a.m. CDT. The meeting will be held at the corporate headquarters, 500 North Field Drive, Lake Forest, Illinois.

Tenneco Automotive is a $3.8 billion manufacturing company with headquarters in Lake Forest, Illinois and approximately 19,200 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 within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "continue," "achieving," "pursuing" 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) the general political, economic and competitive conditions in markets and countries where the company and its subsidiaries operate, including the strength of other currencies relative to the U.S. dollar and currency fluctuations and other risks associated with operating in foreign countries; (ii) governmental actions, including the ability to receive regulatory approvals and the timing of such approvals; (iii) changes in capital availability or costs, including increases in the company's costs of borrowing (i.e., interest rate increases), the amount of the company's debt, the ability of the company to access capital markets and the credit ratings of the company's debt; (iv) changes in automotive manufacturers' production rates and their actual and forecasted requirements for the company's products, including the overall highly competitive nature of the automotive parts industry, and the company's resultant inability to realize the sales represented by its awarded book of business which is based on anticipated pricing for the applicable program over its life, and is subject to increases or decreases due to changes in customer requirements, customer and consumer preferences, and the number of vehicles actually produced by customers; (v) the cyclical nature of the global vehicular industry, including the performance of the global aftermarket sector, and changes in consumer demand and prices, including longer product lives of automobile parts and the cyclicality of automotive production and sales of automobiles which include the company's products, and the potential negative impact on the company's revenues and margins from such products; (vi) the cost and outcome of existing and any future legal proceedings, and compliance with changes in regulations, including environmental regulations; (vii) workforce factors such as strikes or labor interruptions; (viii) material substitutions and increases in the costs of raw materials; (ix) the company's continued success in cost reduction and cash management programs and its ability to execute restructuring and other cost reduction plans and to realize anticipated benefits from these plans; (x) the company's ability to develop and profitably commercialize new products and technologies, and the acceptance of such new products and technologies by the company's customers and the market; (xi) further changes in the distribution channels for the company's aftermarket products, further consolidations among automotive parts customers and suppliers, and product warranty costs; (xii) changes by the Financing Accounting Standards Board or other accounting regulatory bodies of authoritative generally accepted accounting principles or policies; (xiii) acts of war, riots or terrorism, including, but not limited to the events taking place in the Middle East, the current military action in Iraq and the continuing war on terrorism, as well as actions taken or to be taken by the United States or other governments as a result of further acts or threats of terrorism, and the impact of these acts on economic, financial and social conditions in the countries where we operate and (xiv) 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. The company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this press release. Additional information regarding these risk factors and uncertainties is detailed from time to time in the company's SEC filings, including but not limited to its report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003. Further information can be found on the company's web site at www.tenneco-automotive.com.

CONTACT:
Tenneco Automotive, Media Relations
Jim Spangler
(1) 847 482 5810
james.spangler@tenneco-automotive.com

Tenneco Automotive, Investor Relations
Leslie Hunziker,
847/482-5042
leslie.hunziker@tenneco-automotive.com

Back

Record quarterly revenue of $1.03 billion
First quarter EBIT up 5 percent - adjusted EBIT up 33 percent
Adjusted EPS improves significantly
Record low debt net of cash balances of $1.277 billion at quarter-end

LAKE FOREST, ILLINOIS, APRIL 20, 2004 - Tenneco Automotive (NYSE: TEN) Tenneco Automotive (NYSE: TEN) announced today that the company reported a first quarter 2004 net loss of $2 million, or 5-cents per share, compared with net income of $1 million, or 2-cents per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2003. The company's reported EBIT (earnings before interest, taxes, and minority interest) increased 5 percent to $33 million versus $31 million in first quarter 2003. EBITDA (EBIT before depreciation and amortization expense) increased to $78 million compared with $70 million in first quarter 2003. (See the table that reconciles EBITDA in attachment 2 to the press release.)

Adjusted for the items described below, first quarter 2004 net income was $6 million, or 15-cents per diluted share, versus 1-cent per diluted share in first quarter 2003, and first quarter 2004 EBIT was $47 million compared to $36 million in first quarter 2003.

Adjusted first quarter 2004 and 2003 results:

First quarter 2004 adjustments:

Restructuring and restructuring related costs of $5 million pre-tax, $3 million after-tax, or 7-cents per diluted share;
Expenses of $6 million pre-tax, $3 million after-tax, or 8-cents per diluted share, associated with the changeover costs for a major new aftermarket customer;
Expenses of $3 million pre-tax, $2 million after-tax, or 5-cents per diluted share, related to consulting fees indexed to the stock price based on a 1999 agreement for implementing EVA®, a shareholder value improvement initiative.

First quarter 2003 adjustments:

Restructuring and restructuring related costs of $5 million pre-tax, $2 million after-tax, or 7-cents per diluted share;
Tax benefit of $3 million, or 8-cents per diluted share.

We continue to build momentum toward achieving our long-term objectives as evidenced by our strong revenue generation of more than $1 billion in the quarter and a 33 percent improvement in operating income on an adjusted basis," said Mark P. Frissora, chairman and CEO, Tenneco Automotive. "We are aggressively pursuing growth opportunities globally while maintaining our relentless focus on cost management and operational efficiency improvements."

Interest expense in the first quarter 2004 was $4 million higher than the same period one year ago as a result of the debt refinancing initiatives the company implemented in 2003. The 2003 debt refinancing initiatives improved the company's financial flexibility by providing a committed long-term source of liquidity and extending nearly all of its debt maturities to 2009 and beyond.

Cash flow before financing activities was a use of $2 million in the quarter compared with cash inflow of $10 million in the first quarter of 2003. Cash used for working capital was an outflow of $26 million in the quarter as a result of higher receivables related to sales volumes and higher inventory levels due to new customers and seasonal inventory builds in anticipation of the aftermarket summer selling period. This outflow was partially offset by $11 million in proceeds from the sale of the company's facility in Birmingham, U.K. Cash flow performance resulted in end of quarter cash balances of $149 million and total debt of $1.426 billion, or debt net of cash balances of $1.277 billion.

Tenneco Automotive outperformed the requirements of its bank debt covenants in the quarter. At March 31, the leverage ratio was 3.97, below the maximum limit of 5.00; the fixed charge coverage ratio was 1.76, exceeding the minimum required ratio of 1.10; and the interest coverage ratio was 2.77, exceeding the minimum coverage ratio of 2.00.

The company reported record high quarterly revenue of $1.03 billion, up 12 percent compared with $921 million in first quarter 2003. Favorable currency exchange rates benefited revenue by $62 million in the quarter. Excluding the impact of favorable currency, revenue was up 5 percent.

The company's operational improvement initiatives continued to generate savings. Six Sigma programs generated $5 million in savings toward a 2004 goal of $20 million and the company realized $6 million in incremental savings from restructuring activities including $2 million from Project Genesis restructuring. The company's gross margin in the quarter was 19.7 percent, an increase over first quarter 2003 gross margin of 19.3 percent.

"Our original equipment revenue in both North America and Europe outpaced market production as we continue to benefit from our position on top-selling vehicle platforms globally and our established presence with Japanese original equipment manufacturers," said Frissora. "Our results continue to be negatively impacted by the European aftermarket business. However, I am encouraged with the strengthening in our North American aftermarket business, where we launched significant new ride control business this quarter and where we have seen six consecutive months of improvement in the exhaust segment."

NORTH AMERICA

North American original equipment revenue was $381 million, up 2 percent compared with $373 million in first quarter 2003 and versus a market production decline of 1 percent. Excluding the impact of currency and catalytic converter pass-through sales, revenue was up 1 percent. The company's strong position on high volume OE models drove the increase.
North American aftermarket revenue was $122 million, up 13 percent compared with first quarter 2003 revenue of $108 million. The increase was primarily the result of a 19 percent increase in ride control sales, largely driven by new customers as well as sales of the company's new car care appearance products.
EBIT for North American operations was $30 million versus $28 million in first quarter 2003. The EBIT increase was due to strong OE and aftermarket volumes and improved manufacturing efficiencies.
First quarter 2004 EBIT results include $2 million in restructuring and restructuring related costs; $6 million related to changeover costs with a new aftermarket customer (the company anticipates up to $3 million in additional changeover costs through the end of 2004); and a $1 million expense for consulting fees indexed to the stock price based on a 1999 agreement. First quarter 2003 EBIT results include $3 million in restructuring and restructuring related expenses.
Excluding the above items, first quarter 2004 North America adjusted EBIT was $39 million, versus adjusted 2003 EBIT of $31 million.

EUROPE

European original equipment revenue increased 22 percent to $328 million, versus $269 million in first quarter 2003, despite a 1 percent market decline in light vehicle production. Excluding catalytic converter pass-through sales and the impact of favorable currency exchange rates, revenue increased 13 percent.
The company's European aftermarket revenue was $80 million compared with $76 million in first quarter 2003. Excluding the favorable currency impact, revenue was down 8 percent. Continued lower demand for exhaust products and softer ride control sales negatively impacted European aftermarket results.
European EBIT was a loss of $3 million compared with a first quarter 2003 loss of $1 million. Aftermarket volume declines and overcapacity in the aftermarket exhaust segment more than offset the benefit of higher OE ride control volumes, manufacturing efficiencies and tight spending controls. Europe's operational improvement was also negatively impacted by pull-forward pricing adjustments made for two OE customers; higher aftermarket promotional costs; higher depreciation expenses related to five new just-in-time (JIT) manufacturing facilities opened within the past year; and higher stock-based compensation costs, which when combined, totaled $6 million. First quarter 2004 EBIT benefited from $1 million of favorable currency translation.
First quarter 2004 European EBIT results include $3 million in restructuring and restructuring related costs; and a $1 million expense for consulting fees indexed to the stock price based on a 1999 agreement. First quarter 2003 EBIT results include $2 million in restructuring and restructuring related expenses.
Excluding the above items, European EBIT was flat year-over-year at $1 million.

REST OF WORLD

Revenue from Asian operations increased to $39 million from $36 million in the first quarter of last year. The increase was driven by strong OE exhaust volumes in China.
In South America, revenue grew to $35 million compared with $26 million in first quarter 2003. Improved OE sales and favorable currency drove the increase. Excluding the impact of favorable currency, revenue increased 18 percent.
Australian operations reported an increase in revenue to $49 million from $33 million in first quarter 2003, driven by strong OE volumes and favorable currency. Excluding the impact of favorable currency, revenue increased 14 percent.
Reported combined EBIT for Asia, South America and Australia was $6 million versus $4 million in first quarter 2003. The increase was the result of strong OE volumes in all regions and favorable currency in South America and Australia.
First quarter 2004 EBIT results include a $1 million expense for consulting fees indexed to the stock price based on a 1999 agreement.
Excluding the above item, adjusted EBIT for Asia, South America and Australia was $7 million versus $4 million in first quarter 2003.

Attachment 1 to this press release provides additional information on Tenneco Automotive's first quarter results.

Attachment 2:

These files are provided in a PDF format.
Acrobat Reader® required. Download the latest version for free:

CONFERENCE CALL
The company will host a conference call on April 20, 2004 at 10:30 a.m. EDT. The dial-in number is 888 730-9138 (domestic) or 630 395-0019 (international). The passcode is Tenneco Auto. The call will be available on the financial section of the Tenneco Automotive web site at www.tenneco-automotive.com. A copy of the press release is available on the financial and news sections of the Tenneco Automotive web site. A recording of this call will be available one hour following the completion of the call on April 20, 2004 through April 27, 2004. To access this recording, dial 888 568-0399 (domestic) or 420 530-7938 (international).

2004 ANNUAL MEETING
Tenneco Automotive's annual meeting of shareholders will be on Tuesday, May 11, 2004 at 10:00 a.m. CDT. The meeting will be held at the corporate headquarters, 500 North Field Drive, Lake Forest, Illinois.

Tenneco Automotive is a $3.8 billion manufacturing company with headquarters in Lake Forest, Illinois and approximately 19,200 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 within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "continue," "achieving," "pursuing" 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) the general political, economic and competitive conditions in markets and countries where the company and its subsidiaries operate, including the strength of other currencies relative to the U.S. dollar and currency fluctuations and other risks associated with operating in foreign countries; (ii) governmental actions, including the ability to receive regulatory approvals and the timing of such approvals; (iii) changes in capital availability or costs, including increases in the company's costs of borrowing (i.e., interest rate increases), the amount of the company's debt, the ability of the company to access capital markets and the credit ratings of the company's debt; (iv) changes in automotive manufacturers' production rates and their actual and forecasted requirements for the company's products, including the overall highly competitive nature of the automotive parts industry, and the company's resultant inability to realize the sales represented by its awarded book of business which is based on anticipated pricing for the applicable program over its life, and is subject to increases or decreases due to changes in customer requirements, customer and consumer preferences, and the number of vehicles actually produced by customers; (v) the cyclical nature of the global vehicular industry, including the performance of the global aftermarket sector, and changes in consumer demand and prices, including longer product lives of automobile parts and the cyclicality of automotive production and sales of automobiles which include the company's products, and the potential negative impact on the company's revenues and margins from such products; (vi) the cost and outcome of existing and any future legal proceedings, and compliance with changes in regulations, including environmental regulations; (vii) workforce factors such as strikes or labor interruptions; (viii) material substitutions and increases in the costs of raw materials; (ix) the company's continued success in cost reduction and cash management programs and its ability to execute restructuring and other cost reduction plans and to realize anticipated benefits from these plans; (x) the company's ability to develop and profitably commercialize new products and technologies, and the acceptance of such new products and technologies by the company's customers and the market; (xi) further changes in the distribution channels for the company's aftermarket products, further consolidations among automotive parts customers and suppliers, and product warranty costs; (xii) changes by the Financing Accounting Standards Board or other accounting regulatory bodies of authoritative generally accepted accounting principles or policies; (xiii) acts of war, riots or terrorism, including, but not limited to the events taking place in the Middle East, the current military action in Iraq and the continuing war on terrorism, as well as actions taken or to be taken by the United States or other governments as a result of further acts or threats of terrorism, and the impact of these acts on economic, financial and social conditions in the countries where we operate and (xiv) 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. The company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this press release. Additional information regarding these risk factors and uncertainties is detailed from time to time in the company's SEC filings, including but not limited to its report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003. Further information can be found on the company's web site at www.tenneco-automotive.com.

CONTACT:
Tenneco Automotive, Media Relations
Jim Spangler
(1) 847 482 5810
james.spangler@tenneco-automotive.com

Tenneco Automotive, Investor Relations
Leslie Hunziker,
847/482-5042
leslie.hunziker@tenneco-automotive.com

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2019

Tenneco Automotive Grows Revenue And Improves Operational Profit

2018

Tenneco Automotive Grows Revenue And Improves Operational Profit

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Tenneco Automotive Grows Revenue And Improves Operational Profit

2016

Tenneco Automotive Grows Revenue And Improves Operational Profit

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Tenneco Automotive Grows Revenue And Improves Operational Profit