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Tenneco Launches Electronic Suspension System on the New Mercedes-Benz C-Class


May 2007
 Filed under: MERCEDES Car News | MERCEDES Headlines
LAKE FOREST, Ill. and BRUSSELS, Belgium, May 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Tenneco Inc. (NYSE:TEN) announced that its Continuously Controlled Electronic Suspension (CES) system is featured on the new Mercedes-Benz C-Class launched in Stuttgart earlier this year.

"We are very pleased to supply the new Mercedes-Benz C-Class with our electronic suspension technology," said Gregg Sherrill, chairman and CEO, Tenneco. "Our commitment to customer collaboration -- from development through systems integration, ride tuning, program management and launch -- helps ensure that each vehicle equipped with our advanced suspension technology has unique ride and handling characteristics."
The electronically controlled suspension system continuously adjusts to road conditions and driver actions, resulting in enhanced ride comfort and improved stability. The system enables Tenneco to tune vehicles to adapt to different driving factors such as braking, accelerating, steering and vehicle load, which increases the range of ride comfort and handling capability.

According to DaimlerChrysler, the new Mercedes-Benz C-Class uses innovative high-performance technologies to provide new levels of safety, comfort and agility. Technical innovations cited include the company's Agility Control System, based on the Tenneco Continuously Controlled Electronic Suspension system. "The new Mercedes-Benz C-Class sets new standards when it comes to providing the most sophisticated driving experience in its segment," said Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management for DaimlerChrysler AG, at the press conference to launch the Mercedes-Benz C-Class.

Tenneco's CES system continuously adjusts damping levels according to road conditions and vehicle dynamics. At the heart of the system is an electronic control unit (ECU) that processes driver inputs and data from sensors placed at key locations on the vehicle. The sensors include three accelerometers mounted on the vehicle body and four suspension position sensors, which provide data on steering wheel angle, vehicle speed, brake pressure and other chassis control factors. The ECU utilizes control software that processes the sensor information in real time and sends signals that adjust independently the damping level of each shock absorber valve. Electronic dampers allow a large range between maximum and minimum damping levels and adjust instantaneously to ensure ride comfort and firm vehicle control.

Tenneco's electronic shock absorbers for this system are manufactured at the company's facility in Ermua, Spain.

Tenneco is a $4.7 billion manufacturing company with headquarters in Lake Forest, Illinois and approximately 19,000 employees worldwide. Tenneco 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 markets its products principally under the Monroe(R), Walker(R), Gillet(TM) and Clevite(R)Elastomer brand names. Among its products are Sensa-Trac and Monroe Reflex(R) shocks and struts, Rancho shock absorbers, Walker Quiet-Flow(R) mufflers, Dynomax performance exhaust products, and Clevite(R)Elastomer noise, vibration and harshness control components.

This press release contains 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 automobile manufacturers' production rates and their actual and forecasted requirements for the company's products; (ii) the overall highly competitive nature of the automobile parts industry; (iii) the cyclical nature of automobile production and sales of commercial vehicles; and (iv) 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. The company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this press release

Source: Tenneco Inc.

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