LAKE FOREST, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 16, 2000--Tenneco Automotive announced today it has launched one of the industry's first online aftermarket customer order management systems --www.ta-direct.com -- that allows customers to place and track orders 24 hours a day. The new site streamlines purchasing by providing immediate order placement, pricing, stock and order status, and shipment tracking.

"We recognize that our customers need frequent updates on the status of their orders; it is important that we provide 24-hour access to information about their shipments," said Jim Distler, executive director, order fulfillment, Tenneco Automotive. "The site enhances our customer service program by saving our customers time and effort."

"Being able to pick up shipping numbers and then tracking the orders lets me resolve the issues and get back to customers faster," said Julie Fischer, of Car X Muffler in Oak Forest, Illinois.

Tenneco Automotive worked with Andersen Consulting's Automotive, Industrial and Transportation group to design and build the new customer service site.

"Tenneco Automotive had comprehensive service efforts in place prior to the launch of this site," said Mark Ernst, associate partner, Andersen Consulting. "We focused on supplementing those efforts, providing relevant E-Commerce functional, technical, and project management expertise."

TA-Direct.com provides complete security and full service. Tenneco Automotive customer service representatives have access to all customer information and are prepared to assist with online requests. The site seamlessly integrates the Web with traditional customer relationship channels in an easy-to-use format.

Additional information on TA-Direct.com can be found at Ta-direct@tenneco-automotive.com or at 1-800 625-9319.

Tenneco Automotive is a $3.3 billion manufacturing company headquartered in Lake Forest, Ill., with 24,000 employees worldwide. Tenneco Automotive is one of the world's largest producers and marketers of ride control and exhaust systems and products, which are sold under the Monroe(R) and Walker(R) global brand names. Among its products are Sensa-Trac(R) and Reflex (R) shocks and struts, Rancho(R) shock absorbers, Walker(R) Quiet-Flow(TM) mufflers and DynoMax(TM) performance exhaust products, and Monroe(R) Clevite(TM) vibration control components.

The Andersen Consulting Automotive, Industrial and Transportation (AIT) group partners with the world's largest automotive OEMs, suppliers and industrial equipment manufacturers to deliver value and provide financial management and business solutions. The firm links people, processes and technologies to strategies through its expertise in the areas of mergers and acquisitions, product differentiation, customer relationship management, channel management and eCommerce.

Andersen Consulting is an $8.9 billion global management and technology consulting organization whose mission is to help its clients create their future. The firm works with clients from a wide range of industries to bring about far-reaching change by aligning their people, processes and technology with their strategy. Andersen Consulting has more than 65,000 people in 48 countries, including more than 4,000 AIT employees, and can be found on the Internet at www.ac.com.