Tenneco Automotive Reports Record First Quarter Revenues And Net Income

Twelfth consecutive quarter of year-over-year revenue growth
Net income of $7 million; EPS of 16-cents versus year earlier loss
EBIT up 35%; EBITDA up 16%

LAKE FOREST, ILLINOIS, APRIL 21, 2005 - Tenneco Automotive (NYSE: TEN) reported improved first quarter net income of $7 million, or 16-cents per diluted share, compared with a net loss of $2 million, or 5-cents per diluted share in first quarter 2004. The company improved net income despite North American OE production cuts and higher steel prices globally. Adjusted for the items below, first quarter net income increased to $9 million, or 20-cents per diluted share, versus $6 million, or 15-cents per diluted share a year ago.

EBIT (earnings before interest, taxes, and minority interest) increased 35 percent year-over-year to $44 million compared with $33 million in first quarter 2004. EBITDA (EBIT before depreciation and amortization) was $90 million versus $78 million a year ago. Adjusted EBIT was $47 million, flat year-over-year, and the company reported its 13th consecutive quarter of year-over-year improved adjusted EBITDA at $93 million, up from $92 million a year ago. See the tables attached to the press release, which reconcile GAAP results to non-GAAP results.

		Q1 2005								Q1 2004
		EBITDA		EBIT		Net Income		Per Share		EBITDA		EBIT		Net Income		Per Share
Earnings Measures		$	90	$	44	$	7	$	0.16	$	78	$	33	$	(2)	$	(0.05)
Adjustments (reflects non-GAAP measures):
	Restructuring/restructuring related expenses		3		3		2		0.04		5		5		3		0.07
	New Aftermarket customer changeover costs		-		-		-		-		6		6		3		0.08
	Consulting fees indexed to stock price		-		-		-		-		3		3		2		0.05
Non-GAAP earnings measures		$	93	$	47	$	9	$	0.20	$	92	$	47	$	6	$	0.15

Download and print this summary table (PDF): Adjusted first quarter 2005 and 2004 results

Adjusted first quarter 2004 and 2005 results:

First quarter 2005 adjustments:

Restructuring and restructuring related expenses of $3 million pre-tax, or 4-cents per diluted share.

First quarter 2004 adjustments:

Restructuring and restructuring related costs of $5 million pre-tax, or 7-cents per diluted share;
Expenses of $6 million pre-tax, or 8-cents per diluted share, associated with changeover costs for a new aftermarket customer;
Expenses of $3 million pre-tax, or 5-cents per diluted share, related to consulting fees indexed to the stock price based on a 1999 agreement for implementing EVA®, a shareholder value improvement initiative.

"We are pleased with our performance this quarter, especially in light of tough market conditions with slowing OE production in North America and the ongoing high cost of steel worldwide," said Mark P. Frissora, chairman and CEO, Tenneco Automotive. "New incremental OE business in North America and Europe and our strong aftermarket presence globally, combined with a diverse OE customer base, a favorable platform mix and our geographical balance, helped us counter these negative market conditions."

Tenneco Automotive reported its twelfth consecutive quarter of year-over-year revenue growth with $1.106 billion in the quarter, compared with $1.033 billion in first quarter 2004. Favorable currency exchange rates benefited revenue by $37 million. Incremental new OE business; higher heavy duty and specialty vehicle volumes; strong Japanese OE transplant business (21% of North America OE sales); and improved North America aftermarket sales drove the increase.

The company's gross margin in the quarter was 19.3%, compared with 19.7% a year ago. Restructuring impacted gross margin by 0.1 percentage point in the quarter and 0.3 percentage point in first quarter 2004. This year, higher net steel costs also had a 0.8 percentage point impact, more than accounting for the year-over-year decline in gross margin.

Steel cost increases for the first quarter, net of other material cost savings and recovery from OE and aftermarket customers, were $9 million. The company still expects its total 2005 steel cost increases, net of other material cost savings and recovery from customers, will be between $30 million and $50 million.

Sales, General, Administrative and Engineering (SGA&E) expense in the quarter was 11.0% of sales, including 0.1 percentage point for restructuring versus 12.2% a year ago, which includes 0.7 percentage point for restructuring, costs related to a new aftermarket customer and consulting fees indexed to the stock price.

Operating cash outflow in the quarter was $99 million versus a $13 million inflow in the first quarter 2004. The change was driven by seasonal inventory growth, primarily to support stronger aftermarket sales globally; the impact from the discontinuation of Ford Motor Company's and DaimlerChysler's advance payment programs; and a days payable outstanding performance of 74 days, in-line with the company's historical average over the last two years of 74 days, versus a record 81 days payable outstanding in first quarter 2004.

"This was a particularly heavy cash use quarter, due to our typical higher working capital use in the first quarter as well as higher use of operating cash to support stronger revenue growth. Additionally, we used $40 million in cash to reduce our long-term debt, as well as another $11 million to acquire the exhaust operations of Gabilan Manufacturing. We believe these two decisions, which reduced our financing costs and completed an accretive acquisition that also resulted in acquiring 100% of Harley Davidson's exhaust business, will deliver short and long-term benefits for shareholders," Frissora said. "Generating cash to pay down debt remains our number one priority and we will continue our intense focus on working capital reductions."

Cash performance in the quarter resulted in cash balances of $68 million at quarter-end and debt net of cash balances of $1.340 billion. Total debt was $1.408 billion versus $1.426 billion a year ago.

The company outperformed its bank debt covenants in the quarter. At March 31, the leverage ratio was 3.52, below the maximum limit of 4.75; the fixed charge ratio was 1.86, exceeding the required ratio of 1.10; and the interest coverage ratio was 2.84, exceeding the minimum coverage ratio of 2.0.

The company also announced that it has been notified by General Motors that GM's current advanced payment program will terminate during the second quarter. At March 31, 2005, that program had reduced the company's receivables by $74 million. Tenneco Automotive believes the GM decision will have minimal impact on its liquidity given that Tenneco Automotive expanded its borrowing facilities by $55 million during the first quarter.

NORTH AMERICA

North American original equipment revenue decreased to $375 million versus $381 million in first quarter 2004. Excluding the impact of currency and catalytic converter pass-through sales, revenue was up 4% (Tables to this press release reconcile GAAP revenues to revenues adjusted for catalytic converter pass-through sales and currency). A favorable platform mix, new platform launches and strong heavy duty ride control volumes helped offset production declines on key vehicle platforms.
North American aftermarket revenue was $130 million, versus $122 million in first quarter 2004. The increase was driven by new business, stronger unit sales and higher pricing in both product lines.
EBIT for North American operations was $37 million, versus $30 million a year ago. Adjusted first quarter 2005 EBIT was $39 million, flat year-over-year. The company's intensified efforts to control costs, improve manufacturing efficiencies and generate savings from restructuring initiatives as well as stronger volumes helped offset higher steel costs.
First quarter 2005 EBIT results include $2 million in restructuring and restructuring related costs. First quarter 2004 EBIT results include $9 million in costs related to the adjustments described above.

EUROPE AND SOUTH AMERICA

European original equipment revenue was $386 million versus $328 million a year ago. Adjusted for favorable currency and catalytic converter pass-through sales, revenue increased 11%. The increase was driven by record ride control revenues and the company's position on top-selling vehicles.
European aftermarket revenue was $82 million (which includes $4 million in favorable currency) versus $80 million a year ago. Exhaust sales outpaced an 8% industry decline due to market share gains and price increases, but were more than offset by slowing ride control sales.
South American operations generated $44 million in revenue compared with $34 million in first quarter 2004. Adjusted for favorable currency, revenues increased 22% driven by higher OE and aftermarket sales.
EBIT for European and South American operations significantly improved to $5 million versus breakeven for the same period one year ago. Adjusted EBIT also improved to $6 million from $4 million in the first quarter 2004. Record OE ride control volumes, stronger OE production rates overall and more efficient aftermarket operations drove the improvement.
First quarter 2005 EBIT adjustments include $1 million in restructuring and restructuring related costs. First quarter 2004 EBIT includes $4 million in costs related to the adjustments described above.

ASIA PACIFIC

Revenue from Asian operations was $42 million, up from $39 million in first quarter 2004. Stronger ride control and exhaust sales in India and stronger exhaust sales in Thailand more than offset a 6% revenue decline in China due to weakened market conditions.
Australian revenue was $47 million versus $49 million a year ago. Soft OE sales as a result of an OE customer's start-up issues were partially offset by new ride control springs business.
EBIT for the Asia Pacific operations was $2 million versus $3 million, or $4 million on an adjusted basis, in first quarter 2004. The decline was driven by a drop in China's profitability due to lower volumes combined with higher costs associated with the company's plans for a new technical center to support its OE business and to establish a stronger aftermarket presence.
First quarter 2004 EBIT includes $1 million in costs related to the adjustments described above.

"While we are not immune to production changes in North America or other market uncertainties, we have plans in place to adjust our operations to respond to changing market conditions," Frissora said. "We believe our product, market and global diversity will help us counter current and future market challenges."

The company also announced that it elected to change its accounting for inventory valuation in North America from Last In/First Out (LIFO) to First In/First Out (FIFO). The change, which did not have any impact on the company's results of operations, will drive greater global consistency in accounting methodologies and improve administrative efficiency. The balance sheet has been restated to reverse LIFO reserves and related deferred tax effects.

Attachment 1 to this press release provides additional information on Tenneco Automotive's first quarter 2005 results:

Attachment 2:

These files are provided in a PDF format.
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CONFERENCE CALL
The company will host a conference call on Thursday, April 21, 2005 at 10:30 am EDT. The dial-in number is 888 395-1810 domestic or 210 234-8003 international. The passcode is Tenneco Auto. The call and accompanying slides will be available on the financial section of the Tenneco Automotive web site at www.tenneco-automotive.com. A recording of the call will be available one hour following completion of the call on April 21, 2005 through May 21, 2005. To access this recording, dial 866 395-9178 or 203 369-0502 international. The purpose of the call is to discuss the company's operations for the last fiscal quarter, as well as other matters that may impact the company's outlook. A copy of the press release is available on the financial and news sections of the Tenneco Automotive web site.

2005 ANNUAL MEETING
Tenneco Automotive's annual meeting of shareholders will be on Tuesday, May 10, 2005 at 10:00 a.m. CDT. The meeting will be held at the corporate headquarters, 500 North Field Drive, Lake Forest, Illinois.

Tenneco Automotive is a $4.2 billion manufacturing company with headquarters in Lake Forest, Illinois and approximately 18,800 employees worldwide. Tenneco Automotive is one of the world's largest designers, manufacturers and marketers of emission control and ride control products and systems for the automotive original equipment market and the aftermarket. Tenneco Automotive markets its products principally under the Monroe®, Walker®, Gillet® and Clevite® Elastomer brand names. Among its products are Sensa-Trac® and Monroe Reflex® shocks and struts, Rancho® shock absorbers, Walker® Quiet-Flow® mufflers, Dynomax® performance exhaust products, and Clevite® Elastomer noise, vibration and harshness control components.

This press release contains forward-looking statements. Words such as "continue," "will," "expects," "believe," "plans," and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on the current expectations of the company (including its subsidiaries). Because these forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, the company's plans, actions and actual results could differ materially. Among the factors that could cause these plans, actions and results to differ materially from current expectations are: (i) changes in automotive manufacturers' production rates and their actual and forecasted requirements for the company's products, including the overall highly competitive nature of the automotive parts industry, and the company's resultant inability to realize the sales represented by its awarded book of business which is based on anticipated pricing for the applicable program over its life, and is subject to increases or decreases due to changes in customer requirements, customer and consumer preferences, and the number of vehicles actually produced by customers; (ii) increases in the costs of raw materials, including the company's ability to successfully reduce the impact of any such cost increases through materials substitutions, cost reduction initiatives and other methods; (iii) the cyclical nature of the global vehicular industry, including the performance of the global aftermarket sector, and changes in consumer demand and prices, including longer product lives of automobile parts and the cyclicality of automotive production and sales of automobiles which include the company's products, and the potential negative impact on the company's revenues and margins from such products; (iv) the company's continued success in cost reduction and cash management programs and its ability to execute restructuring and other cost reduction plans and to realize anticipated benefits from these plans; (v) the general political, economic and competitive conditions in markets and countries where the company and its subsidiaries operate, including the strength of other currencies relative to the U.S. dollar and currency fluctuations and other risks associated with operating in foreign countries; (vi) governmental actions, including the ability to receive regulatory approvals and the timing of such approvals; (vii) changes in capital availability or costs, including increases in the company's costs of borrowing (i.e., interest rate increases), the amount of the company's debt, the ability of the company to access capital markets and the credit ratings of the company's debt; (viii) the cost and outcome of existing and any future legal proceedings, and compliance with changes in regulations, including environmental regulations; (ix) workforce factors such as strikes or labor interruptions; (x) the company's ability to develop and profitably commercialize new products and technologies, and the acceptance of such new products and technologies by the company's customers and the market; (xi) further changes in the distribution channels for the company's aftermarket products, further consolidations among automotive parts customers and suppliers, and product warranty costs; (xii) changes by the Financial Accounting Standards Board or other accounting regulatory bodies to authoritative generally accepted accounting principles or policies; (xiii) acts of war, riots or terrorism, including, but not limited to the events taking place in the Middle East, the current military action in Iraq and the continuing war on terrorism, as well as actions taken or to be taken by the United States or other governments as a result of further acts or threats of terrorism, and the impact of these acts on economic, financial and social conditions in the countries where the company operates and (xiv) the timing and occurrence (or non-occurrence) of transactions and 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. Additional information regarding these risk factors and uncertainties is detailed from time to time in the company's SEC filings, including but not limited to its report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004. Further information can be found on the company's web site at www.tenneco-automotive.com.

CONTACT:
Pinnacle Communications Group Inc.
Jane Ostrander
(1) 847 482 5607
jane.ostrander@tenneco-automotive.com

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

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