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June 28, 2005

Walker® Enhances Import Offering With Hundreds Of New Precision-Fit Exhaust Assemblies, Converters

Availability of Premium, OE-Style Quiet-Flow® Welded Assemblies and Walker Catalytic Converters Key Advantage for Shops Targeting Import Market

Monroe, MI - Automotive general repair providers, exhaust specialists and other aftermarket businesses targeting an increased share of the growing import exhaust service category now can rely on hundreds of new precision-fit, OE-style welded exhaust assemblies and direct-fit replacement OBD I and OBD II catalytic converters from Walker Exhaust. Walker exhaust assemblies, mufflers, converters, pipes, and accessories are manufactured and marketed by Tenneco Automotive (NYSE: TEN).

The Walker product team has aggressively expanded the brand's coverage of premium direct-fit Quiet-Flow® welded exhaust assemblies to enable automotive service providers to tap into the fastest growing segment of the North American vehicle population. The number of foreign-nameplate passenger vehicles registered in the U.S. and Canada has increased by nearly 60 percent since 1993, according to the Motor and Equipment Manufacturers Association. Import light trucks and sport-utility vehicles registered in North America have increased more than three-fold over the same period.

The Walker brand also has invested in the development of hundreds of additional direct-fit OBD I and OBD II catalytic converters to help aftermarket distributors and service providers capture new business in the import emission control category.

"There's no question that each year more and more consumers who own foreign-nameplate vehicles will be looking for exhaust and emission services. The challenge and opportunity for aftermarket providers is to demonstrate that they have all of the right products to restore the OE-style sound and performance these consumers clearly prefer," said Richard Alameddine, vice president of marketing, North American Aftermarket, for Tenneco Automotive. "By relying on the Walker brand, shop owners and technicians will have immediate access to the exact-fit products and systems they need and the quality and warranty their customers expect."

Walker now offers more than 500 premium direct-fit Quiet-Flow® welded exhaust assemblies and mufflers for import models, and complete engine-to-tailpipe coverage (including converter) for several hundred import applications.

Featuring premium sound and flow characteristics for exceptional performance, Quiet-Flow® assemblies help aftermarket businesses attract quality-conscious customers who want their import vehicles to "sound like OE." Key quality features built into these import welded assembly are highly durable, 100-percent aluminized steel; precisely engineered pipe routings; OE-style cross-sections; robust flanges; and OE-style brackets and hangers that eliminate installation surprises common to other aftermarket products.

Each Quiet-Flow® import welded assembly is covered by a limited lifetime warranty and Tenneco Automotive's exclusive 90-day "Safe & Sound Guarantee" money-back trial offer. (Restrictions apply; please visit www.walkerexhaust.com for program details.)

The Walker brand also recently expanded its line of direct-fit catalytic converters by nearly 200 SKUs, providing coverage of an estimated 37 million additional North American vehicles. Walker direct-fit converters are engineered to provide an exact, OE-style fit for trouble-free installation. Each unit features a high-quality stainless steel body; precisely engineered pipe routings; OE-type flanges; heat-shielded pipe; structural bracing; and channel-formed flanges, where required, for enhanced strength and durability.

"We urge shop owners to take a close look at which brand is investing in their exhaust businesses," Alameddine said. "Walker's expanded import coverage, exceptional quality and comprehensive guarantees can make a huge bottom-line difference for shops committed to profitable growth."

For more information on Walker products for foreign-nameplate applications, please contact your Walker supplier, visit www.walkerexhaust.com, or write to: Walker for Imports, One International Drive, Monroe, MI 48161. To locate the nearest Walker installer, simply use the "Dealer Locator" feature on www.walkerexhaust.com.

Tenneco Automotive is a $4.2 billion manufacturing company with headquarters in Lake Forest, Illinois and approximately 18,400 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 Monroe Reflex® shocks and struts, Rancho® shock absorbers, Walker® Quiet-Flow® mufflers and Dynomax® performance exhaust products, and Monroe® Clevite® vibration control components.

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Pinnacle Communications Group Inc.
Drew Shippy
(1) 330 688 3500
drew@pinmedia.com