LAKE FOREST, ILLINOIS, APRIL 9, 2001 - Tenneco Automotive (NYSE: TEN) announced today that it has opened a new manufacturing facility in Ermua, Spain to produce shock absorbers, struts, and ride control modules. The new facility, which replaces an existing Tenneco Automotive facility in Ermua, serves original equipment manufacturers and the replacement market in Europe.

The new 300,000 square foot facility has more automation and is better designed for efficient manufacturing, which will enable the company to build on the Ermua plant's strong reputation for quality and superior customer service.

"This new state-of-the-art facility and the outstanding team in Ermua will help us meet the growing needs of our customers, and play a key role in the future growth of our business in Europe," said Josep Fornos, vice president and general manager - Europe original equipment ride control. "We are very proud of our presence in this region, and this investment helps strengthen our position as a leading supplier of ride-control products and systems."

The company initiated the project in 1998. Production was transferred and began at the replacement facility toward the end of 2000. In 2000, Tenneco Automotive's Ermua facility manufactured approximately 4.5 million shock absorbers for major vehicle manufacturers including Land Rover, Rover, Mercedes Benz, Nissan, Renault, VW and Seat. In addition, approximately 40 percent of the plant's production supplies the replacement market.

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, Media Relations - Europe Peter Dercon, 32-2-706-9241 peter.dercon@eu.tenneco-automotive.com