DRiV™ Introduces Innovative Add-On Valve Technology to Enhance Comfort on Passive Dampers

LAKE FOREST, Ill., Sept. 17, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Automakers looking for innovative ways to enhance the comfort, handling and ride performance of future vehicles can now select a cost-effective add-on valve technology from DRiV^TM, a Tenneco Inc. (NYSE: TEN) business and leading global aftermarket and original equipment (OE) ride performance supplier. DRiV Incorporated has introduced a family of advanced, highly-tunable add-on valves for OE manufacturers, that bring best-in-class comfort to passive dampers used in a wide range of passenger vehicle applications. The cost-effective new Monroe^® RideRefine™ SDD (stroke dependent damping) valve technology works in concert with a damper's main valve to provide highly refined, luxury-level ride characteristics in a full range of driving conditions.

Stroke dependent damping dramatically enhances comfort by improving plushness and road isolation, enabling vehicle manufacturers to tune vehicles for greater everyday comfort with minimal impact on handling. A bypass on the main valve directs oil into the Monroe RideRefine SDD valve, which provides separate, tunable damping of small strokes for reduced vibration and harshness. Following completion of the small piston stroke, the damper's main valve resumes normal operation.

"Monroe RideRefine SDD valves bring new levels of comfort and tunability to conventional dampers," said Neville Rudd, group vice president and general manager ride control, DRiV. "Stroke dependent damping helps ensure the damper effectively filters out minor road inputs encountered on highways and other comparatively smooth surfaces. Additionally, because the new valve is added below the piston, it is easy to integrate into an existing damper design."

DRiV is a leading global OE and aftermarket supplier of conventional, passive dampers as well Monroe^® Intelligent Suspension selective and semi-active suspensions.

About DRiV™ - the future Aftermarket and Ride Performance Company

Following the expected separation of Tenneco to form two- independent companies, an Aftermarket and Ride Performance company (DRiV™) as well as a new Powertrain Technology company, DRiV will be one of the largest global multi-line, multi-brand aftermarket companies, and one of the largest global OE ride performance and braking companies. DRiV's principal product brands will feature Monroe^®, Ӧhlins^®, Walker^®, Clevite^® Elastomers, MOOG^®, Fel-Pro^®, Wagner^®, Ferodo^®, Champion^® and others. DRiV would have 2018 pro-forma revenues of $6.4 billion, with 54% of those revenues from aftermarket and 46% from original equipment customers.

Safe Harbor

This release contains forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, among others, statements relating to our plans to separate into two independent public companies.  Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to materially differ from those described in the forward-looking statements, including the possibility that Tenneco may not complete the spin-off of the Aftermarket & Ride Performance business from the Powertrain Technology business (or achieve some or all of the anticipated benefits of such a spin-off); the possibility that the acquisition of Federal-Mogul or the separation may have an adverse impact on existing arrangements with Tenneco, including those related to transition, manufacturing and supply services and tax matters; the ability to retain and hire key personnel and maintain relationships with customers, suppliers or other business partners; the risk that the benefits of the acquisition of Federal-Mogul or the separation, including synergies, may not be fully realized or may take longer to realize than expected; the risk that the acquisition of Federal-Mogul or the separation may not advance Tenneco's business strategy; the risk that Tenneco may experience difficulty integrating all employees or operations; the potential diversion of Tenneco management's attention resulting from the separation; as well as the risk factors and cautionary statements included in Tenneco's periodic and current reports (Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K) filed from time to time with the SEC. Given these risks and uncertainties, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as a prediction of actual results. Unless otherwise indicated, the forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date of this communication, and, except as required by law, Tenneco does not undertake any obligation, and disclaims any obligation, to publicly disclose revisions or updates to any forward-looking statements. Additional information regarding these risk factors and uncertainties is detailed from time to time in the company's SEC filings, including but not limited to its annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018.

SOURCE DRiV