Company Announces Plans to Close Birmingham, England Facility

LAKE FOREST, ILLINOIS - BRUSSELS, BELGIUM, October 16, 2003 - Tenneco Automotive (NYSE: TEN) announced today that the company plans to close its manufacturing facility in Birmingham, England by the end of 2004.

This move is part of the company's ongoing initiative to optimize its manufacturing, distribution and logistics operations worldwide and would impact 127 employees currently employed at the facility, which manufactures and distributes exhaust components for the UK aftermarket.

"It is difficult to make decisions that negatively impact employees and we regret the effect of this announcement regarding Birmingham," said Mark P. Frissora, chairman and CEO, Tenneco Automotive. "However, we are determined to continue to improve our operating efficiency and profitability globally by better integrating our operations and adjusting our manufacturing footprint to current and projected market needs."

The company will carry out all activities, including workforce reductions, that may occur as a result of this initiative in compliance with all applicable legal and contractual requirements, including informing and consulting with union representatives, and others. Tenneco Automotive employees affected by a closure of the Birmingham facility will be eligible for severance benefits in accordance with applicable policies of the company, as well as applicable collective bargaining agreements and domestic legal requirements and practices.

The company is still evaluating the necessary fourth quarter restructuring charge but anticipates that it will not exceed $5 million.

The company is committed to its aftermarket customers in the UK and Ireland and will maintain a UK sales, marketing and distribution operation to continue to service those aftermarket customers. Production from Birmingham will be transferred to the company's aftermarket exhaust manufacturing plants in France, Spain, Sweden and Poland.

The company's original equipment (OE) exhaust manufacturing facility in Tredegar, Wales and its joint venture emission control facility in Burnley, England will not be affected by this move.

Tenneco Automotive is a $3.5 billion manufacturing company with headquarters in Lake Forest, Illinois and approximately 19,600 employees worldwide. Tenneco Automotive is one of the world's largest producers and marketers of ride control and exhaust systems and products, sold under the Monroe® and Walker® global brand names. Among its products are Sensa-Trac® and Monroe Reflex® shocks and struts, Rancho® shock absorbers, Walker® Quiet-Flow® mufflers and DynoMax® performance exhaust products, and Monroe Clevite® vibration control components.

This press release contains forward-looking statements. Words such as "plans", "will", "may", "anticipates" and similar expressions identify these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on the current expectations of the company. Because these forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, the company's plans, actions and actual results relative to the restructuring plans described in this press release could differ materially. Among the factors that could cause these restructuring plans and actions to differ materially from current expectations are: (i) the general political, economic and competitive conditions in the U.K., including currency fluctuations and other risks associated with the company implementing the restructuring plans described above; (ii) governmental actions, including the ability to receive regulatory approvals and the timing of such approvals; and (iii) the timing and occurrence (or non-occurrence) of the above-described restructuring plans and the occurrence (or non-occurrence) of other related 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.

CONTACT:
Tenneco Automotive, Media Relations
Jane Ostrander
(1) 847 482 5607
jane.ostrander@tenneco-automotive.com

Tenneco Automotive, Europe Media Relations
Margie Pazikas
32 (0) 2 706 9470
margie.pazikas@eu.tenneco-automotive.com

Tenneco Automotive, Investor Relations
Leslie Hunziker
(1) 847 482 5042
leslie.hunziker@tenneco-automotive.com