LAKE FOREST, ILL., Nov. 17, 1999 - Members of the Tenneco Automotive team knew they had something special with the recent release of the new Monroe® Reflex shock absorber, but an Editor's Choice Award from Popular Mechanics helps to confirm it.

Tenneco Automotive was one of seventeen award winners recognized at a reception on Nov. 2 at the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas during the Industry Week trade shows. To make their selections, editors from Popular Mechanics fanned out across the show floor at the Sands Expo Center, which houses the exposition for aftermarket products, and at the Las Vegas Convention Center, which hosts the specialty automotive equipment portion of the two shows.

Thousands of products were eligible for consideration by the Popular Mechanics panel of judges. More than 4,000 exhibitors take part in the two shows, which combined represent the world's largest automotive aftermarket and equipment exposition.

Monroe's Reflex shock absorber, which offers a new internal system called Impact Sensor Technology valving, switches instantly from firm to soft ride control (damping) when a bump is encountered. The more exposure to uneven road surfaces the more active the valve becomes - opening the moment a large bump is encountered and closing immediately after absorbing the impact, then returning the shock to its original setting.

The Monroe Reflex shock absorber is now available for late model light trucks and sport utility vehicles (SUVs). Reflex products for late model passenger cars will be available starting June 1, 2000.

David Gabriel, senior vice president and general manager of North American aftermarket for Tenneco Automotive, accepted the award on behalf of the company. Jay McGill, Popular Mechanics' vice president and publisher, and Joe Oldham, the magazine's editor-in-chief, made the award presentation.

"We've known all along that Monroe Reflex represents a technological breakthrough in the shock market - and the whole aftermarket for that matter," said Gabriel. "To receive this award from a publication with the credibility of Popular Mechanics solidifies our belief that Tenneco Automotive manufactures the best ride control in the world. This award instills a feeling of pride knowing that Popular Mechanics recognized the technology that we have worked so hard to develop. I think this honor represents a tremendous acknowledgement for everyone in our organization."

Tenneco Automotive (NYSE-TEN), with revenues of more than $3 billion and headquartered in Lake Forest, Ill., is one of the world's largest producers and marketers of ride control and emission control products and systems, sold under the Monroe® and Walker® global brand names. Among its products are Monroe® Reflex and Sensa-Trac® shocks and struts, Rancho® shock absorbers, Walker® Quiet-Flow™ mufflers, DynoMax™ performance exhaust products, and Monroe® Clevite™ vibration control components.