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September 20, 2006

Tenneco Invests In Walker® Exhaust Brand

Company Expands Key North American Facility, Increases Domestic And Import Coverage for Aftermarket Customers

Harrisonburg, VA - "Growth" might not be a word commonly associated with the replacement exhaust category in recent years, but it is the foundation for Tenneco Inc.'s (NYSE: TEN) investment in the company's Walker® exhaust brand and product line. Tenneco is one of the world's largest manufacturers of emission control products and systems.

Tenneco is putting the finishing touches on a significant expansion of its Harrisonburg-based North American aftermarket exhaust facility and continuing to expand the Walker brand's direct-fit exhaust offering for domestic and foreign-nameplate vehicles. The 80,000-square-foot addition to the Harrisonburg facility for the first time combines Walker manufacturing and distribution operations under a single roof for faster response to changing market demands, according to Richard Alameddine, vice president of marketing, North American Aftermarket, Tenneco.

"We've been reinforcing our market leadership over a period of several years, but this expanded infrastructure is the most obvious sign to aftermarket distributors and installers that Tenneco is investing in the exhaust category."

In addition to enhancing the Walker brand's primary facility, Tenneco has dramatically expanded its coverage of the North American vehicle population, with more than 1,150 new product SKUs - including direct-fit mufflers, cat-back exhaust systems and catalytic converters - introduced since 2004. The company will continue to expand coverage, with an estimated 665 additional SKUs planned for 2007, Alameddine added. Walker today offers coverage for more than 178 million passenger cars and light trucks registered in North America.

"We're investing in this market because we see it as an opportunity for growth among service providers who have the right products, programs and brands to appeal to today's consumers," Alameddine said. "Vehicle owners are looking for a convenient and confident repair experience. In order to deliver that, you must offer OE-style products that will meet the customer's quality expectations. Walker is uniquely positioned to be that full-line OE-quality solution."

The brand's commitment to OE-style technology can be seen in the broad offerings of Walker Quiet-Flow®3 direct-fit mufflers and welded exhaust assemblies and direct-fit OBD I and OBD II catalytic converters. Quiet-Flow3 mufflers combine a variety of sophisticated sound tuning features with all-aluminized steel material, corrosion-resistant CF coating and thicker rods and brackets to run quieter and last longer than other products. Quiet-Flow3 welded exhaust assemblies feature precisely engineered cross-sections and meticulous pipe routing for fast, easy installation. In addition, each assembly is manufactured from premium-aluminized steel and mounted with thick, OE-style flanges and brackets to provide long life.

Walker direct-fit catalytic converters help speed installation and enhance reliability through an OE-style fit, high-quality stainless-steel body, premium hangers, flanges and brackets, OE-matched heat shields, structural bracing, and precisely located oxygen sensor fittings.

For additional information regarding Walker exhaust and emission control products, contact your Walker supplier, visit www.walkerexhaust.com, or call (734) 243-8000.

Tenneco Inc. is a $4.4 billion manufacturing company with headquarters in Lake Forest, Illinois, and approximately 19,000 employees worldwide. Tenneco 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