LAKE FOREST, ILLINOIS, MARCH 22, 2001 - Tenneco Automotive (NYSE: TEN) has earned Ford Motor Company's Gold World Excellence Award, recognizing the company as one of Ford's top suppliers in the world for 2000 performance. Tenneco Automotive was acknowledged for its performance in supplying exhaust systems to Ford in Europe.

Ford's World Excellence Awards program is based on superior performance in quality, cost, and delivery. The gold category is given to business units of suppliers who excel in all three areas. Winners of the World Excellence Awards were announced March 20 at the third annual recognition ceremony.

"We are extremely proud to receive the Gold World Excellence Award, which reflects our dedication to providing customers with extraordinary service and the very best products," said Mark P. Frissora, chairman and CEO, Tenneco Automotive. "Our team is highly motivated to stand out as a top-tier supplier, and we are very pleased that Ford has recognized our efforts."

Tenneco Automotive was one of only 17 winners in the Gold category, the top level awarded this year, and the only emission control company to be acknowledged. Tenneco Automotive won for its European business unit's work in providing exhaust systems to Ford in Germany. Winners were selected based on achieving rigorous quality, cost, and delivery metrics, established by Ford and its suppliers.

"Congratulations to Tenneco Automotive," said Carlos Mazzorin, Ford Motor Company's group vice president of global purchasing and South America. "You are one of Ford's most valuable assets. Without your contributions, we could not have achieved many of our goals in 2000."

Tenneco Automotive is a $3.5 billion manufacturing company headquartered in Lake Forest, Ill., with 23,000 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® and Walker® global brand names. Among its products are Sensa-Trac® and Reflex™ shocks and struts, Rancho® shock absorbers, Walker® Quiet-Flow™ mufflers and DynoMax™ performance exhaust products, and Monroe® Clevite™ vibration control components.

CONTACT: Tenneco Automotive, Media relations
Jane Ostrander, 847/482-5607
jane.ostrander@tenneco-automotive.com

Tenneco Automotive, Investor relations
Leslie Cleveland Hague, 847/482-5042
lchague@tenneco-automotive.com