Tenneco Automotive Launches Monotube Shock Absorber With Innovative Valve Technology

Product Will Debut on New Ford Focus ST

FRANKFURT, Germany, Sept. 14 -- Tenneco Automotive today launched a monotube shock absorber with an innovative Monotube Blow Off (MTBO) valve that offers improved tuneability, damping consistency and durability. The new Ford Focus ST, which will be introduced in Europe later this year, will include shocks featuring the new MTBO valve.

Monotube shock absorbers are single tube high-pressure gas shocks, which offer enhanced vehicle stability and handling with design features that provide more mounting options and higher damping levels compared with similar twin tube shocks. With the MTBO valve, low damping forces can be independently tuned in rebound and compression modes. The system also independently adjusts damping blow-off levels and damping progression rates in mid- to high-speed ranges. The MTBO valve differs from standard monotube valve designs where damping force level and progression rate are mutually dependent.

"The new MTBO valve system demonstrates our commitment to continuously improving existing technologies to reduce the compromise between ride comfort and handling," said Mark P. Frissora, chairman and CEO, Tenneco Automotive. "The addition of the MTBO valve to our advanced suspension technologies portfolio demonstrates the extent to which Tenneco Automotive is committed to developing value-added solutions that directly influence consumer choice."

The MTBO system's superior damping consistency, tuneability and durability are achieved not only by the sophisticated design of the valve, but also by using high precision process technology including single piece force adjustment and laser welding.

The new MTBO valve was designed and tested at Tenneco Automotive's state- of-the-art Monroe Engineering and Technology Centre in Belgium. Production will be at the company's ride control manufacturing facility in Hodkovice, Czech Republic.

The company is discussing the application of this technology with other OEMs.

Tenneco Automotive is a $4.2 billion manufacturing company with headquarters in Lake Forest, Illinois and approximately 18,400 employees worldwide. The company 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(R), Walker(R), Gillet(R) and Clevite(R) Elastomer brand names. Among its products are Sensa- Trac(R) and Monroe Reflex(R) shocks and struts, Rancho(R) shock absorbers, Walker(R) Quiet-Flow(R) mufflers, Dynomax(R) performance exhaust products, and Clevite(R) Elastomer noise, vibration and harshness control components.