Tenneco Works With Suzuki to Help Create the Unique Swift Sport Experience

Company Supplies Front Module and Rear Shocks for Japanese Production

KATOWICE, Poland, May 31 -- Tenneco announced today that it is supplying the front strut module and rear shock for the new Suzuki Swift Sport launched in Japan. The sport version comes as an addition to the conventional suspension business for the Swift, which Tenneco was awarded in September 2003 and started production in January 2005.

The Swift Sport is the result of what the Japanese manufacturer describes as the outcome of extensive collaboration between Suzuki designers and engineers and the European automotive industry "in pursuit of Suzuki's best compact car ever." In order to engineer a suspension system which would respond to the manufacturers' desire to create a specific driving experience, Tenneco's state-of-the-art Monroe Engineering and Technology Centre (METC) in Belgium worked to create suspension components that provide a tight, sporty ride without sacrificing comfort. The result is a car described in the trade press as having a ride and handling combination among the best in its category.

"Product design, computer simulation, testing, ride work and tuning are core competencies of Tenneco's ride control business. These enable us to develop, produce and refine suspension solutions that match the specific 'DNA' of any manufacturer's car," said Mark P. Frissora, Chairman and CEO, Tenneco Inc. "Our ride and tuning experts worked with Suzuki engineers and test drivers to pinpoint and define the true feeling that Suzuki wanted this limited edition specialized car to have."

Suzuki features the Monroe(R) logo on the Swift Sport's shocks and promotes the use of Monroe(R) replacement shock absorbers in the owner's manual. This demonstrates Suzuki's recognition of the brand equity Monroe(R) enjoys in the aftermarket, particularly since the primary objective of a replacement shock absorber is to maintain or restore the vehicle's original comfort, handling and braking characteristics. Tenneco's experience in manufacturing and tuning shock absorbers for volume vehicle production provides unique insight when supplying the replacement market with shock absorbers that can reproduce the original vehicle dynamics.

"We gained a lot of credibility with Suzuki working on the original Swift," said Colin Richardson, global ride and handling manager, Tenneco. "Suzuki wanted us to use our experience in tuning suspension for the sports compact category to produce a best-in-class model. The instant you get inside the car you feel like you're in something really special."

Ride work and tuning was done by Tenneco for the entire suspension, including the springs, dampers and tires.

The award of suspension component business for Suzuki's domestic production makes Suzuki the third Japanese customer to source Tenneco's European-produced shocks for export to Japan. Others include Nissan and Mazda.

Tenneco is a $4.4 billion manufacturing company with headquarters in Lake Forest, Illinois and approximately 19,000 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(R), Walker(R), Gillet(R) and Clevite(R) Elastomer brand names.