e10vq
 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
 
 
 
FORM 10-Q
 
(Mark One)
 
     
þ
  QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
    For the Quarterly Period Ended September 30, 2010
OR
o
  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
Commission file number 1-12387
 
TENNECO INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
     
Delaware
  76-0515284
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
     
500 North Field Drive, Lake Forest, Illinois   60045
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)
 
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (847) 482-5000
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
  Yes þ     No o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes o     No o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
 
Large accelerated filer o Accelerated filer þ Non-accelerated filer o Smaller reporting company o
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
  Yes o     No þ
 
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock as of the latest practicable date.
 
Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share: 59,988,725 shares outstanding as of October 29, 2010.
 


 

 
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
         
    Page
 
Part I — Financial Information
       
Item 1. Financial Statements (Unaudited)
    4  
Tenneco Inc. and Consolidated Subsidiaries —
       
Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firms
    4  
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss)
    6  
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
    7  
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
    8  
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity
    9  
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
    10  
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
    12  
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
    39  
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
    68  
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
    68  
Part II — Other Information
       
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
    *  
Item 1A. Risk Factors
    69  
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
    69  
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities
    *  
Item 4. Removed and Reserved
    *  
Item 5. Other Information
    *  
Item 6. Exhibits
       
 
 
* No response to this item is included herein for the reason that it is inapplicable or the answer to such item is negative.


1


 

 
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT FOR PURPOSES OF THE “SAFE HARBOR”
PROVISIONS OF THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995
 
This Quarterly Report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 concerning, among other things, our prospects and business strategies. These forward-looking statements are included in various sections of this report, including the section entitled “Outlook” appearing in Item 2 of this report. The words “may,” “will,” “believe,” “should,” “could,” “plan,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” and similar expressions (and variations thereof), identify these forward-looking statements. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, these expectations may not prove to be correct. Because these forward-looking statements are also subject to risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from the expectations expressed in the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements include:
 
  •  general economic, business and market conditions, including without limitation the ongoing financial difficulties facing a number of companies in the automotive industry as a result of the difficult global economic environment, including the potential impact thereof on labor unrest, supply chain disruptions, weakness in demand and the collectability of any accounts receivable due to us from such companies;
 
  •  changes in capital availability or costs, including increases in our cost of borrowing (i.e., interest rate increases), the amount of our debt, our ability to access capital markets at favorable rates, and the credit ratings of our debt;
 
  •  the impact of the recent global economic crisis on the credit markets, which continue to be volatile and more restricted than they were previously;
 
  •  our ability to source and procure needed materials, components and other products and services as the economy recovers from the recent global economic crisis;
 
  •  changes in consumer demand, prices and our ability to have our products included on top selling vehicles, such as the recent shift in consumer preferences from light trucks, which tend to be higher margin products for our customers and us, to other vehicles, and other factors impacting the cyclicality of automotive production and sales of automobiles which include our products, and the potential negative impact on our revenues and margins from such products;
 
  •  changes in automotive manufacturers’ production rates and their actual and forecasted requirements for our products, such as the significant production cuts during 2008 and 2009 by automotive manufacturers in response to difficult economic conditions;
 
  •  the overall highly competitive nature of the automotive parts industry, and our resultant inability to realize the sales represented by our awarded book of business (which is based on anticipated pricing for the applicable program over its life, and is subject to increases or decreases due to changes in customer requirements, customer and consumer preferences, and the number of vehicles actually produced by customers);
 
  •  the loss of any of our large original equipment manufacturer (“OEM”) customers (on whom we depend for a substantial portion of our revenues), or the loss of market shares by these customers if we are unable to achieve increased sales to other OEMs;
 
  •  Industrywide strikes, labor disruptions at our facilities or any labor or other economic disruptions at any of our significant customers or suppliers or any of our customers’ other suppliers (such as the 2008 strike at American Axle, which disrupted our supply of products for significant General Motors platforms);
 
  •  increases in the costs of raw materials, including our ability to successfully reduce the impact of any such cost increases through materials substitutions, cost reduction initiatives, low cost country sourcing, and price recovery efforts with aftermarket and OE customers;
 
  •  the cyclical nature of the global vehicle industry, including the performance of the global aftermarket sector and the longer product lives of automobile parts;
 
  •  our continued success in cost reduction and cash management programs and our ability to execute restructuring and other cost reduction plans and to realize anticipated benefits from these plans;


2


 

 
  •  costs related to product warranties;
 
  •  the impact of consolidation among automotive parts suppliers and customers on our ability to compete;
 
  •  operating hazards associated with our business;
 
  •  changes in distribution channels or competitive conditions in the markets and countries where we operate, including the impact of changes in distribution channels for aftermarket products on our ability to increase or maintain aftermarket sales;
 
  •  the negative impact of higher fuel prices and overall market weakness on discretionary purchases of aftermarket products by consumers;
 
  •  the cost and outcome of existing and any future legal proceedings, including, but not limited to, proceedings against us or our customers relating to intellectual property rights;
 
  •  economic, exchange rate and political conditions in the foreign countries where we operate or sell our products;
 
  •  customer acceptance of new products;
 
  •  new technologies that reduce the demand for certain of our products or otherwise render them obsolete;
 
  •  our ability to realize our business strategy of improving operating performance;
 
  •  our ability to successfully integrate any acquisitions that we complete;
 
  •  changes by the Financial Accounting Standards Board or the Securities and Exchange Commission of authoritative generally accepted accounting principles or policies;
 
  •  changes in accounting estimates and assumptions, including changes based on additional information;
 
  •  potential legislation, regulatory changes and other governmental actions, including the ability to receive regulatory approvals and the timing of such approvals;
 
  •  the impact of changes in and compliance with laws and regulations, including environmental laws and regulations, environmental liabilities in excess of the amount reserved, the adoption of the current mandated timelines for worldwide emission regulation and any changes to the timing of the funding requirements for our pension and other postretirement benefit liabilities;
 
  •  decisions by federal, state and local governments to provide (or discontinue) incentive programs related to automobile purchases;
 
  •  the potential impairment in the carrying value of our long-lived assets and goodwill or our deferred tax assets;
 
  •  potential volatility in our effective tax rate;
 
  •  acts of war and/or terrorism, as well as actions taken or to be taken by the United States and other governments as a result of further acts or threats of terrorism, and the impact of these acts on economic, financial and social conditions in the countries where we operate; and
 
  •  the timing and occurrence (or non-occurrence) of other transactions, events and circumstances which may be beyond our control.
 
The risks included here are not exhaustive. Refer to “Part I, Item 1A — Risk Factors” in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, for further discussion regarding our exposure to risks. Additionally, new risk factors emerge from time to time and it is not possible for us to predict all such risk factors, nor to assess the impact such risk factors might have on our business or the extent to which any factor or combination of factors may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. Given these risks and uncertainties, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as a prediction of actual results.


3


 

 
PART I.
 
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
ITEM 1.   FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
 
 
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
 
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of
Tenneco Inc.:
 
We have reviewed the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet of Tenneco Inc. and consolidated subsidiaries as of September 30, 2010, and the related condensed consolidated statements of income (loss), cash flows, comprehensive income (loss) for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2010, and the changes in shareholders’ equity for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2010. These interim financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management.
 
We conducted our review in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). A review of interim financial information consists principally of applying analytical procedures and making inquiries of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters. It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial statements taken as a whole. Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.
 
Based on our review, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to the accompanying condensed consolidated interim financial statements for them to be in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
 
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
 
Chicago, Illinois
November 8, 2010


4


 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
 
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of
Tenneco Inc.
 
We have reviewed the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet of Tenneco Inc. and consolidated subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of September 30, 2009, and the related condensed consolidated statements of income (loss), cash flows, comprehensive income (loss) for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2009, and of changes in shareholders’ equity for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2009. These interim financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management.
 
We conducted our review in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). A review of interim financial information consists principally of applying analytical procedures and making inquiries of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters. It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial statements taken as a whole. Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.
 
Based on our review, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to such condensed consolidated interim financial statements for them to be in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
 
We have previously audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheet of Tenneco Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2009, and the related consolidated statements of income (loss), cash flows, changes in shareholders’ equity, and comprehensive income (loss) and financial statement schedule for the year then ended (not presented herein); and in our report dated February 26, 2010, we expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule.
 
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
 
Chicago, Illinois
February 26, 2010


5


 

TENNECO INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (LOSS)
(Unaudited)
 
                                 
    Three Months
    Three Months
    Nine Months
    Nine Months
 
    Ended
    Ended
    Ended
    Ended
 
    September 30,
    September 30,
    September 30,
    September 30,
 
    2010     2009     2010     2009  
    (Millions Except Share and Per Share Amounts)  
 
Revenues
                               
Net sales and operating revenues
  $ 1,542     $ 1,254     $ 4,360     $ 3,327  
                                 
Costs and expenses
                               
Cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown below)
    1,280       1,043       3,575       2,783  
Engineering, research, and development
    30       27       90       72  
Selling, general, and administrative
    109       90       307       256  
Depreciation and amortization of other intangibles
    55       55       163       162  
                                 
      1,474       1,215       4,135       3,273  
                                 
Other expense
                               
Loss on sale of receivables
    (1 )     (2 )     (3 )     (6 )
Other expense
          (2 )     (3 )     (9 )
                                 
      (1 )     (4 )     (6 )     (15 )
                                 
Income before interest expense, income taxes, and noncontrolling interests
    67       35       219       39  
Interest expense (net of interest capitalized of $1 million in each of the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively and $3 million in each of the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively)
    36       35       100       101  
Income tax expense
    15       4       45       18  
                                 
Net income (loss)
    16       (4 )     74       (80 )
                                 
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
    6       4       17       10  
                                 
Net income (loss) attributable to Tenneco Inc. 
  $ 10     $ (8 )   $ 57     $ (90 )
                                 
Earnings (loss) per share
                               
Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding —
                               
Basic
    59,235,282       46,742,403       59,102,041       46,694,885  
Diluted
    61,079,919       46,742,403       60,859,093       46,694,885  
Basic earnings (loss) per share of common stock
  $ 0.17     $ (0.17 )   $ 0.97     $ (1.93 )
Diluted earnings (loss) per share of common stock
  $ 0.17     $ (0.17 )   $ 0.94     $ (1.93 )
 
The accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these condensed consolidated statements of income (loss).


6


 

TENNECO INC.
 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
 
                 
    September 30,
    December 31,
 
    2010     2009  
    (Millions)  
 
ASSETS
Current assets:
               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 184     $ 167  
Receivables —
               
Customer notes and accounts, net
    929       572  
Other
    40       24  
Inventories —
               
Finished goods
    219       175  
Work in process
    162       116  
Raw materials
    126       95  
Materials and supplies
    42       42  
Deferred income taxes
    48       35  
Prepayments and other
    167       167  
                 
Total current assets
    1,917       1,393  
                 
Other assets:
               
Long-term receivables, net
    11       8  
Goodwill
    89       89  
Intangibles, net
    32       30  
Deferred income taxes
    77       100  
Other
    107       111  
                 
      316       338  
                 
Plant, property, and equipment, at cost
    3,069       3,099  
Less — Accumulated depreciation and amortization
    (2,032 )     (1,989 )
                 
      1,037       1,110  
                 
    $ 3,270     $ 2,841  
                 
 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
               
Short-term debt (including current maturities of long-term debt)
  $ 70     $ 75  
Trade payables
    1,070       766  
Accrued taxes
    49       36  
Accrued interest
    30       22  
Accrued liabilities
    270       257  
Other
    63       45  
                 
Total current liabilities
    1,552       1,201  
                 
Long-term debt
    1,227       1,145  
                 
Deferred income taxes
    53       66  
                 
Postretirement benefits
    297       331  
                 
Deferred credits and other liabilities
    93       80  
                 
Commitments and contingencies
               
Total liabilities
    3,222       2,823  
                 
Redeemable noncontrolling interests
    10       7  
                 
Tenneco Inc. shareholders’ equity:
               
Common stock
    1       1  
Premium on common stock and other capital surplus
    3,002       3,005  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (240 )     (212 )
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)
    (2,518 )     (2,575 )
                 
      245       219  
Less — Shares held as treasury stock, at cost
    240       240  
                 
Total Tenneco Inc. shareholders’ equity
    5       (21 )
                 
Noncontrolling interests
    33       32  
                 
Total equity
    38       11  
                 
Total liabilities, redeemable noncontrolling interests and equity
  $ 3,270     $ 2,841  
                 
 
The accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these condensed consolidated balance sheets.


7


 

TENNECO INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
 
                                 
    Three Months
    Three Months
    Nine Months
    Nine Months
 
    Ended
    Ended
    Ended
    Ended
 
    September 30,
    September 30,
    September 30,
    September 30,
 
    2010     2009     2010     2009  
          (Millions)        
 
Operating Activities
                               
Net income (loss)
  $ 16     $ (4 )   $ 74     $ (80 )
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to cash provided by operating activities —
                               
Depreciation and amortization of other intangibles
    55       55       163       162  
Deferred income taxes
    (6 )     (7 )     (4 )     (10 )
Stock-based compensation
    2       1       7       5  
Loss on sale of assets
          2       3       6  
Changes in components of working capital —
                               
(Increase) decrease in receivables
    (81 )     (67 )     (374 )     (124 )
(Increase) decrease in inventories
    (52 )     9       (123 )     76  
(Increase) decrease in prepayments and other current assets
    (3 )     (30 )     (1 )     (35 )
Increase (decrease) in payables
    33       92       265       56  
Increase (decrease) in accrued taxes
    12       1       13       20  
Increase (decrease) in accrued interest
    7       8       8       9  
Increase (decrease) in other current liabilities
    15       13       34       8  
Changes in long-term assets
    3       2       4       8  
Changes in long-term liabilities
    18       3       (3 )     4  
Other
    (2 )     (1 )     (2 )     3  
                                 
Net cash provided by operating activities
    17       77       64       108  
                                 
Investing Activities
                               
Proceeds from the sale of assets
    2       1       3       3  
Cash payments for plant, property, and equipment
    (33 )     (20 )     (105 )     (86 )
Cash payments for software related intangible assets
    (3 )     (1 )     (11 )     (5 )
Acquisition of business, net of cash acquired
                      1  
Other
    (1 )     1       1       1  
                                 
Net cash used by investing activities
    (35 )     (19 )     (112 )     (86 )
                                 
Financing Activities
                               
Issuance of long-term debt
    225       4       380       6  
Debt issuance cost of long-term debt
    (5 )           (14 )     (8 )
Retirement of long-term debt
    (246 )     (7 )     (383 )     (15 )
Increase (decrease) in bank overdrafts
    10       6       12       (18 )
Net increase (decrease) in revolver borrowings and short-term debt excluding current maturities of long-term debt
    63       (51 )     83       24  
Distributions to noncontrolling interest partners
    (3 )           (14 )     (10 )
                                 
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities
    44       (48 )     64       (21 )
                                 
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
    12       16       1       10  
                                 
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
    38       26       17       11  
Cash and cash equivalents, July 1 and January 1, respectively
    146       111       167       126  
                                 
Cash and cash equivalents, September 30 (Note)
  $ 184     $ 137     $ 184     $ 137  
                                 
Supplemental Cash Flow Information
                               
Cash paid during the period for interest
  $ 28     $ 26     $ 89     $ 91  
Cash paid during the period for income taxes (net of refunds)
    18       20       42       32  
Non-cash Investing and Financing Activities
                               
Period ended balance of payable for plant, property, and equipment
  $ 12     $ 13     $ 12     $ 13  
 
 
Note:  Cash and cash equivalents include highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase.
 
The accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these
condensed consolidated statements of cash flows.


8


 

TENNECO INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(Unaudited)
 
                                 
    Nine Months Ended September 30,  
    2010     2009  
    Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount  
    (Millions Except Share Amounts)  
 
Tenneco Inc. Shareholders:
                               
Common Stock
                               
Balance January 1
    60,789,739     $ 1       48,314,490     $  
Issued pursuant to benefit plans
    172,022             287,704        
Stock options exercised
    301,029             131,904        
                                 
Balance September 30
    61,262,790       1       48,734,098        
                                 
Premium on Common Stock and Other Capital Surplus
                               
Balance January 1
            3,005               2,809  
Purchase of additional noncontrolling equity interest
            (11 )              
Premium on common stock issued pursuant to benefit plans
            8               7  
                                 
Balance September 30
            3,002               2,816  
                                 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
                               
Balance January 1
            (212 )             (318 )
Other comprehensive income (loss)
            (28 )             90  
                                 
Balance September 30
            (240 )             (228 )
                                 
Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit)
                               
Balance January 1
            (2,575 )             (2,502 )
Net income (loss) attributable to Tenneco Inc. 
            57               (90 )
                                 
Balance September 30
            (2,518 )             (2,592 )
                                 
Less — Common Stock Held as Treasury Stock, at Cost
                               
Balance January 1 and September 30
    1,294,692       240       1,294,692       240  
                                 
Total Tenneco Inc. shareholders’ equity
          $ 5             $ (244 )
                                 
Noncontrolling Interests:
                               
Balance January 1
          $ 32             $ 24  
Net income
            11               7  
Sale of twenty percent equity interest to Tenneco Inc. 
            (4 )              
Other comprehensive income (loss)
            2                
Dividend declared
            (8 )             (5 )
                                 
Balance September 30
          $ 33             $ 26  
                                 
Total equity
          $ 38             $ (218 )
                                 
 
The accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these condensed consolidated statements of changes in shareholders’ equity.


9


 

TENNECO INC.
 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(Unaudited)
 
                                                 
    Three Months Ended September 30, 2010  
    Tenneco Inc.     Noncontrolling Interests     Total  
    Accumulated
          Accumulated
          Accumulated
       
    Other
          Other
          Other
       
    Comprehensive
    Comprehensive
    Comprehensive
    Comprehensive
    Comprehensive
    Comprehensive
 
    Income
    Income
    Income
    Income
    Income
    Income
 
    (Loss)     (Loss)     (Loss)     (Loss)     (Loss)     (Loss)  
                (Millions)              
 
Net Income
          $ 10             $ 6             $ 16  
                                                 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
                                               
Cumulative Translation Adjustment
                                               
Balance July 1
  $ (72 )           $ 3             $ (69 )        
Translation of foreign currency statements
    75       75       1       1       76       76  
                                                 
Balance September 30
    3               4               7          
                                                 
Additional Liability for Pension Benefits
                                               
Balance July 1
    (246 )                           (246 )        
Additional Liability for Pension and Postretirement Benefits, net of tax
    3       3                     3       3  
                                                 
Balance September 30
    (243 )                           (243 )        
                                                 
Balance September 30
  $ (240 )           $ 4             $ (236 )        
                                                 
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
            78               1               79  
                                                 
Comprehensive Income (Loss)
          $ 88             $ 7             $ 95  
                                                 
 
                                                 
    Three Months Ended September 30, 2009  
    Tenneco Inc.     Noncontrolling Interests     Total  
    Accumulated
          Accumulated
          Accumulated
       
    Other
          Other
          Other
       
    Comprehensive
    Comprehensive
    Comprehensive
    Comprehensive
    Comprehensive
    Comprehensive
 
    Income
    Income
    Income
    Income
    Income
    Income
 
    (Loss)     (Loss)     (Loss)     (Loss)     (Loss)     (Loss)  
                (Millions)              
 
Net Income (Loss)
          $ (8 )           $ 4             $ (4 )
                                                 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
                                               
Cumulative Translation Adjustment
                                               
Balance July 1
  $ (3 )           $             $ (3 )        
Translation of foreign currency statements
    47       47                   47       47  
                                                 
Balance September 30
    44                             44          
                                                 
Additional Liability for Pension Benefits
                                               
Balance July 1
    (276 )                           (276 )        
                                                 
Additional liability for pension benefits, net of tax of $1 million
    4       4                       4       4  
                                                 
Balance September 30
    (272 )                             (272 )        
                                                 
Balance September 30
  $ (228 )           $             $ (228 )        
                                                 
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
            51                             51  
                                                 
Comprehensive Income (Loss)
          $ 43             $ 4             $ 47  
                                                 


10


 

TENNECO INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(Unaudited)
 
                                                 
    Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010  
    Tenneco Inc.     Noncontrolling Interests     Total  
    Accumulated
          Accumulated
          Accumulated
       
    Other
          Other
          Other
       
    Comprehensive
    Comprehensive
    Comprehensive
    Comprehensive
    Comprehensive
    Comprehensive
 
    Income
    Income
    Income
    Income
    Income
    Income
 
    (Loss)     (Loss)     (Loss)     (Loss)     (Loss)     (Loss)  
    (Millions)  
 
Net Income
          $ 57             $ 17             $ 74  
                                                 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
                                               
Cumulative Translation Adjustment
                                               
Balance January 1
  $ 37             $             $ 37          
Translation of foreign currency statements
    (34 )     (34 )     4       4       (30 )     (30 )
                                                 
Balance September 30
    3               4               7          
                                                 
Additional Liability for Pension Benefits
                                               
Balance January 1
    (249 )                           (249 )        
Additional Liability for Pension and Postretirement Benefits, net of tax
    6       6                     6       6  
                                                 
Balance September 30
    (243 )                           (243 )        
                                                 
Balance September 30
  $ (240 )           $ 4             $ (236 )        
                                                 
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
            (28 )             4               (24 )
                                                 
Comprehensive Income (Loss)
          $ 29             $ 21             $ 50  
                                                 
 
                                                 
    Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009  
    Tenneco Inc.     Noncontrolling Interests     Total  
    Accumulated
          Accumulated
          Accumulated
       
    Other
          Other
          Other
       
    Comprehensive
    Comprehensive
    Comprehensive
    Comprehensive
    Comprehensive
    Comprehensive
 
    Income
    Income
    Income
    Income
    Income
    Income
 
    (Loss)     (Loss)     (Loss)     (Loss)     (Loss)     (Loss)  
                (Millions)              
 
Net Income (Loss)
          $ (90 )           $ 10             $ (80 )
                                                 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
                                               
Cumulative Translation Adjustment
                                               
Balance January 1
  $ (42 )           $             $ (42 )        
Translation of foreign currency statements
    86       86                   86       86  
                                                 
Balance September 30
    44                             44          
                                                 
Additional Liability for Pension Benefits
                                               
Balance January 1
    (276 )                           (276 )        
                                                 
Additional liability for pension benefits, net of tax of $1 million
    4       4                       4       4  
                                                 
Balance September 30
    (272 )                             (272 )        
                                                 
Balance September 30
  $ (228 )           $             $ (228 )        
                                                 
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
            90                             90  
                                                 
Comprehensive Income (Loss)
          $             $ 10             $ 10  
                                                 
 
The accompanying notes to financial statements are in an integral part
of these statements of comprehensive income (loss).


11


 

TENNECO INC.
 
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
 
(1) As you read the accompanying financial statements you should also read our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.
 
In our opinion, the accompanying unaudited financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly Tenneco Inc.’s financial position, results of operations, cash flows, changes in shareholders’ equity, and comprehensive income (loss) for the periods indicated. We have prepared the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements pursuant to the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for interim financial information. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP) for annual financial statements.
 
Our condensed consolidated financial statements include all majority-owned subsidiaries. We carry investments in 20 percent to 50 percent owned companies in which the Company does not have a controlling interest, as equity method investments, at cost plus equity in undistributed earnings since the date of acquisition and cumulative translation adjustments. We have eliminated all intercompany transactions. We have evaluated all subsequent events through the date the financial statements were issued.
 
(2)  The carrying and estimated fair values of our financial instruments by class at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 were as follows:
 
                                 
    September 30, 2010     December 31, 2009  
    Carrying Amount     Fair Value     Carrying Amount     Fair Value  
          (Millions)        
 
Long-term debt (including current maturities)
  $ 1,230     $ 1,261     $ 1,151     $ 1,168  
Instruments with off-balance sheet risk:
                               
Foreign exchange forward contracts
                      2  
 
Asset and Liability Instruments — The fair value of cash and cash equivalents, short and long-term receivables, accounts payable, and short-term debt was considered to be the same as or was not determined to be materially different from their carrying amount.
 
Long-term Debt — The fair value of our public fixed rate senior secured, senior and senior subordinated notes is based on quoted market prices. The fair value of our private borrowings under our senior credit facility and other long-term debt instruments is based on the market value of debt with similar maturities, interest rates and risk characteristics.
 
Foreign Exchange Forward Contracts — We use foreign exchange forward purchase and sales contracts with terms of less than one year to hedge our exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Our primary exposure to changes in foreign currency rates results from intercompany loans made between affiliates to minimize the need for borrowings from third parties. Additionally, we enter into foreign currency forward purchase and sale contracts to mitigate our exposure to changes in exchange rates on certain intercompany and third-party trade receivables and payables. We do not enter into derivative financial instruments for speculative purposes. The fair value of our foreign exchange forward contracts is based on a model which incorporates observable inputs including quoted spot rates, forward exchange rates and discounted future expected cash flows utilizing market interest rates with similar quality and maturity characteristics. We record the change in fair value of these foreign exchange forward contracts as part of currency gains (losses) within cost of sales in the condensed consolidated statements of income (loss). The fair value of foreign exchange forward contracts are recorded in prepayments and other current assets or other current liabilities in the condensed consolidated balance sheet. The fair value of our foreign exchange


12


 

TENNECO INC.
 
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Unaudited)
 
forward contracts, presented on a gross basis by derivative contract at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively, was as follows:
 
                                                 
    Fair Value of Derivative Instruments
    September 30, 2010   December 31, 2009
    Asset
  Liability
      Asset
  Liability
   
    Derivatives   Derivatives   Total   Derivatives   Derivatives   Total
 
Foreign exchange forward contracts
  $ 1     $ 1     $     $ 3     $ 1     $ 2  
 
The fair value of our recurring financial assets and liabilities at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively, are as follows:
 
                                                 
    September 30, 2010   December 31, 2009
    Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3
            (Millions)        
 
Financial Assets:
                                               
Foreign exchange forward contracts
    n/a       n/a       n/a       n/a     $ 2       n/a  
Financial Liabilities:
                                               
Foreign exchange forward contracts
    n/a     $       n/a       n/a       n/a       n/a  
 
The fair value hierarchy definition prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value into the following levels:
 
Level 1 — Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
 
Level 2 — Inputs, other than quoted prices in active markets, that are observable either directly or indirectly.
 
Level 3 — Unobservable inputs based on our own assumptions.
 
The following table summarizes by major currency the notional amounts, weighted-average settlement rates, and fair value for foreign currency forward purchase and sale contracts as of September 30, 2010:
 
                             
        Notional Amount
    Weighted Average
    Fair Value in
 
        in Foreign Currency     Settlement Rates     U.S. Dollars  
        (Millions Except Settlement Rates)        
 
Australian dollars
  —Purchase     26       0.965     $ 26  
    —Sell     (5 )     0.964       (5 )
British pounds
  —Purchase     29       1.572       45  
    —Sell     (25 )     1.572       (39 )
European euro
  —Purchase                  
    —Sell     (4 )     1.368       (6 )
South African rand
  —Purchase     204       0.144       29  
    —Sell     (51 )     0.144       (7 )
U.S. dollars
  —Purchase     3       1.003       3  
    —Sell     (50 )     1.001       (50 )
Other
  —Purchase     498       0.012       6  
    —Sell     (1 )     0.972       (1 )
                             
                        $ 1  
                             
 
(3)  Our financing arrangements are primarily provided by a committed senior secured financing arrangement with a syndicate of banks and other financial institutions. The arrangement is secured by substantially all our domestic assets and pledges of up to 66 percent of the stock of certain first-tier foreign subsidiaries, as well as guarantees by our material domestic subsidiaries.


13


 

TENNECO INC.
 
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Unaudited)
 
On August 3, 2010 we issued $225 million of 73/4 percent senior notes due August 15, 2018 in a private offering. The net proceeds of this transaction, together with cash and available liquidity, was used to finance the redemption of our 101/4 percent senior secured notes due in 2013. We called the senior secured notes for redemption on August 3, 2010, and completed the redemption on September 2, 2010 at a price of 101.708 percent of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest. We recorded $5 million of expense related to our redemption of our 101/4 percent senior secured notes in the third quarter of 2010. The new notes are general senior obligations of Tenneco Inc. and will not be secured by assets of Tenneco Inc. or the guarantors.
 
On June 3, 2010 we completed an amendment and extension of our senior secured credit facility by extending the term of our revolving credit facility and replacing our $128 million term loan A with a larger and longer maturity term loan B facility. As a result of the amendment and extension, as of September 30, 2010, the senior credit facility provides us with a total revolving credit facility size of $622 million until March 16, 2012, when commitments of $66 million will expire. After March 16, 2012, the extended revolving credit facility will provide $556 million of revolving credit and will mature on May 31, 2014. The extended facility will mature earlier on December 15, 2013, if our $130 million tranche B-1 letter of credit/revolving loan facility is not refinanced by that date. Prior to maturity, funds may be borrowed, repaid and re-borrowed under the two revolving credit facilities without premium or penalty. The leverage ratio (consolidated indebtedness net of cash divided by consolidated EBITDA as defined in the senior credit facility agreement) was decreased from 5.00 to 4.50 for the second quarter of 2010; from 4.75 to 4.25 for the third quarter of 2010; and from 4.50 to 4.25 for the fourth quarter of 2010 as a result of the June 3, 2010 amendment.
 
As of September 30, 2010, the senior credit facility also provides a six-year, $150 million term loan B maturing in June 2016, and a seven-year $130 million tranche B-1 letter of credit/revolving loan facility maturing in March 2014. The term loan B facility will mature earlier on August 16, 2014, if we do not refinance our senior subordinated notes by that date.
 
The tranche B-1 letter of credit/revolving loan facility requires repayment by March 2014. We can enter into revolving loans and issue letters of credit under the $130 million tranche B-1 letter of credit/revolving loan facility. The tranche B-1 letter of credit/revolving loan facility is reflected as debt on our balance sheet only if we borrow money under this facility or if we use the facility to make payments for letters of credit. There is no additional cost to us for issuing letters of credit under the tranche B-1 letter of credit/revolving loan facility. However, outstanding letters of credit reduce our availability to enter into revolving loans under the facility. We pay the tranche B-1 lenders interest at a rate equal to LIBOR plus a margin, which is offset by the return on the funds deposited with the administrative agent by the lenders which earn interest at an annual rate approximately equal to LIBOR less 25 basis points. Outstanding revolving loans reduce the funds on deposit with the administrative agent which in turn reduce the earnings of those deposits.
 
As of September 30, 2010 our outstanding debt also includes $225 million of 73/4 percent senior notes due August 15, 2018, $250 million of 81/8 percent senior notes due November 15, 2015, and $500 million of 85/8 percent senior subordinated notes due November 15, 2014. At September 30, 2010, we had unused borrowing capacity of $614 million under the $752 million amount available under the two revolving credit facilities within our senior secured credit facility with $86 million in outstanding borrowings and $52 million in letters of credit outstanding.


14


 

TENNECO INC.
 
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Unaudited)
 
The financial ratios required under the senior credit facility for the remainder of 2010 and beyond are set forth below. As of September 30, 2010, we were in compliance with all the financial covenants and operational restrictions of the senior credit facility.
 
                 
          Interest
 
    Leverage
    Coverage
 
Period Ending
  Ratio     Ratio  
 
December 31, 2010
    4.25       2.35  
March 31, 2011
    4.00       2.55  
June 30, 2011
    3.75       2.55  
September 30, 2011
    3.50       2.55  
December 31, 2011
    3.50       2.55  
Each quarter thereafter
    3.50       2.75  
 
Beginning June 3, 2010 and following each fiscal quarter thereafter, the margin we pay on borrowings under our term loan B and revolving credit facility, incur interest at an annual rate equal to, at our option, either (i) the London Interbank Offered Rate plus a margin of 475 and 450 basis points, respectively, or (ii) a rate consisting of the greater of (a) the JPMorgan Chase prime rate plus a margin of 375 and 350 basis points, respectively, (b) the Federal Funds rate plus 50 basis points plus a margin of 375 and 350 basis points, respectively, and (c) the Eurodollar Rate plus 100 basis points plus a margin of 375 and 350 basis points, respectively. The margin we pay on these borrowings will be reduced by 25 basis points following each fiscal quarter for which our consolidated net leverage ratio is less than 2.25 for extending lenders and for the term loan B and will be further reduced by an additional 25 basis points following each fiscal quarter for which the consolidated net leverage ratio is less than 2.0 for extending lenders. The margin we pay on these borrowings for extending lenders will increase by 50 basis points following each fiscal quarter for which our consolidated net leverage ratio is greater than or equal to 4.0 and will be further increased by an additional 50 basis points following each fiscal quarter for which the consolidated net leverage ratio is greater than or equal to 5.0.
 
The margin we pay on borrowings under our tranche B-1 facility incurred interest at an annual rate equal to, at our option, either (i) the London Interbank Offered Rate plus a margin of 500 basis points, or (ii) a rate consisting of the greater of (a) the JPMorgan Chase prime rate plus a margin of 400 basis points, (b) the Federal Funds rate plus 50 basis points plus a margin of 400 basis points, and (c) the Eurodollar Rate plus 100 basis points plus a margin of 400 basis points. This rate will increase by 50 basis points following each fiscal quarter for which our consolidated net leverage ratio is greater than or equal to 5.0.
 
(4)  We evaluate our deferred income taxes quarterly to determine if valuation allowances are required or should be adjusted. U.S. GAAP requires that companies assess whether valuation allowances should be established against their deferred tax assets based on consideration of all available evidence, both positive and negative, using a “more likely than not” standard. This assessment considers, among other matters, the nature, frequency and amount of recent losses, the duration of statutory carryforward periods, and tax planning strategies. In making such judgments, significant weight is given to evidence that can be objectively verified.
 
Valuation allowances have been established for deferred tax assets based on a “more likely than not” threshold. The ability to realize deferred tax assets depends on our ability to generate sufficient taxable income within the carryforward periods provided for in the tax law for each tax jurisdiction. We have considered the following possible sources of taxable income when assessing the realization of our deferred tax assets:
 
  •  Future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences;
 
  •  Taxable income or loss, based on recent results, exclusive of reversing temporary differences and carryforwards; and
 
  •  Tax-planning strategies.


15


 

TENNECO INC.
 
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Unaudited)
 
 
We reported income tax expense of $45 million in the first nine months of 2010. The tax expense recorded differs from the expense that would be recorded using a U.S. Federal statutory rate of 35 percent because the impact of not benefiting tax losses in the U.S. and certain foreign jurisdictions and charges primarily related to adjustments to prior year income tax estimates more than offset a favorable mix of tax rates in the jurisdictions we pay taxes. During the first nine months of 2010, we recorded a $52 million reduction in our valuation allowance related to the utilization of U.S. NOLs resulting from a reorganization of our European operations. The amount recorded is an estimate that can not be finalized until year end. The estimated amount recorded does not impact the tax rate. In evaluating the requirements to record a valuation allowance, accounting standards do not permit us to consider an economic recovery in the U.S. or new business we have won. Consequently, beginning in 2008, given our historical losses, we concluded that our ability to fully utilize our NOLs was limited due to projecting the continuation of the negative economic environment and the impact of the negative operating environment on our tax planning strategies. As a result of our tax planning strategies which have not yet been implemented and which do not depend upon generating future taxable income, we carry deferred tax assets in the U.S. of $90 million relating to the expected utilization of those NOLs. The federal NOLs expire beginning in tax years ending in 2020 through 2029. The state NOLs expire in various tax years ending through 2029.
 
If our operating performance improves on a sustained basis, our conclusion regarding the need for a valuation allowance could change, resulting in the reversal of some or all of the valuation allowance in the future. The charge to establish the U.S. valuation allowance also includes items related to the losses allocable to certain state jurisdictions where it was determined that tax attributes related to those jurisdictions were potentially not realizable.
 
We are required to record a valuation allowance against deferred tax assets generated by taxable losses in each period in the U.S. as well as in other foreign jurisdictions. Our future provision for income taxes will include no tax benefit with respect to losses incurred and no tax expense with respect to income generated in these jurisdictions until the respective valuation allowance is eliminated. This will cause variability in our effective tax rate.
 
(5)  In addition to our senior credit facility, senior notes and senior subordinated notes, we also securitize some of our accounts receivable on a limited recourse basis in North America and Europe. As servicer under these accounts receivable securitization programs, we are responsible for performing all accounts receivable administration functions for these securitized financial assets including collections and processing of customer invoice adjustments. In North America, we have an accounts receivable securitization program with three commercial banks. We securitize original equipment and aftermarket receivables on a daily basis under the bank program. The amount of outstanding third party investments in our securitized accounts receivable bank program was $0 and $62 million at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively. In February 2010, the North American program was amended and extended to February 18, 2011, at a maximum facility size of $100 million. As part of this renewal, the margin we pay to our banks decreased. In March 2010, the North American program was further amended to extend the revolving terms of the program to March 25, 2011, add an additional bank and increase the available financing under the facility by $10 million to a new maximum of $110 million. In addition, we added a second priority facility to the North American program, which provides up to an additional $40 million of financing against accounts receivable generated in the U.S. or Canada that would otherwise be ineligible under the existing securitization facility. This new second priority facility also expires on March 25, 2011, and is subordinated to the existing securitization facility.
 
Each facility contains customary covenants for financings of this type, including restrictions related to liens, payments, merger or consolidation and amendments to the agreements underlying the receivables pool. Further, each facility may be terminated upon the occurrence of customary events (with customary grace periods, if applicable), including breaches of covenants, failure to maintain certain financial ratios, inaccuracies of representations and warranties, bankruptcy and insolvency events, certain changes in the rate of default or delinquency of the receivables, a change of control and the entry or other enforcement of material judgments. In addition, each facility contains cross-default provisions, where the facility could be terminated in the event of non-payment of


16


 

TENNECO INC.
 
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Unaudited)
 
other material indebtedness when due and any other event which permits the acceleration of the maturity of material indebtedness.
 
We also securitize receivables in our European operations to regional banks in Europe. The amount of outstanding third party investments in our securitized accounts receivable in Europe was $106 million and $75 million at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively. The arrangements to securitize receivables in Europe are provided under seven separate facilities provided by various financial institutions in each of the foreign jurisdictions. The commitments for these arrangements are generally for one year but some may be cancelled with notice 90 days prior to renewal. In some instances, the arrangement provides for cancellation by the applicable financial institution at any time upon 15 days, or less, notification.
 
If we were not able to securitize receivables under either the North American or European securitization programs, our borrowings under our revolving credit agreements might increase. These accounts receivable securitization programs provide us with access to cash at costs that are generally favorable to alternative sources of financing, and allow us to reduce borrowings under our revolving credit agreements.
 
We adopted the amended accounting guidance under ASC Topic 860, Accounting for Transfers of Financial Assets effective January 1, 2010. Prior to the adoption of this new guidance, we accounted for activities under our North American and European accounts receivable securitization programs as sales of financial assets to our banks. The new accounting guidance changed the conditions that must be met for the transfer of financial assets to be accounted for as a sale. The new guidance adds additional conditions that must be satisfied for transfers of financial assets to be accounted for as sales when the transferor has not transferred the entire original financial asset, including the requirement that no partial interest holder have rights in the transferred asset that are subordinate to the rights of other partial interest holders. In our North American accounts receivable securitization programs we transfer a partial interest in a pool of receivables and the interest that we retain is subordinate to the transferred interest. Accordingly, beginning January 1, 2010, we account for our North American securitization program as a secured borrowing. In our European programs we transfer accounts receivables in their entirety to the acquiring entities and satisfy all of the conditions established under amended ASC Topic 860 to report the transfer of financial assets in their entirety as a sale. The fair value of assets received as proceeds in exchange for the transfer of accounts receivable under our European securitization programs approximates the fair value of such receivables. We recognized $1 million and $3 million in interest expense for the three month and nine month periods ended September 30, 2010, respectively, relating to our North American securitization program which effective January 1, 2010, is accounted for as a secured borrowing arrangement under the amended accounting guidance for transfers of financial assets. In addition, we recognized a loss of $1 million and $2 million for the three month periods ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively, and $3 million and $6 million for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively, on the sale of trade accounts receivable in both the North American and European accounts receivable securitization programs, representing the discount from book values at which these receivables were sold to our banks. The discount rate varies based on funding costs incurred by our banks, which averaged approximately 4 percent during 2010.
 
The impact of the new accounting rules on our condensed consolidated financial statements includes an increase of $1 million and $3 million in interest expense and a corresponding decrease in loss on sale of receivables on our income statement for the three month and nine month periods ended September 30, 2010, respectively. For the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2010, there was no cash flow impact as a result of the new accounting rules. Funding levels provided by our European securitization programs continue to be reflected as a change in receivables and included in net cash provided (used) by operating activities as under the previous accounting rules. Had the new accounting rules been in effect in 2009, reported receivables and short-term debt would both have been $62 million higher as of December 31, 2009. The loss on sale of receivables would have been $1 million and $4 million lower, offset by a corresponding $1 million and $4 million increase to interest expense for the three month and nine month periods ended September 30, 2009, respectively. Additionally, our cash provided


17


 

TENNECO INC.
 
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Unaudited)
 
(used) by operations would have decreased by $19 million and $85 million with a corresponding increase in cash provided by financing activities for the same amount for the three month and nine month periods ended September 30, 2009, respectively.
 
(6)  Over the past several years, we have adopted plans to restructure portions of our operations. These plans were approved by our Board of Directors and were designed to reduce operational and administrative overhead costs throughout the business. Our Board of Directors approved a restructuring project in 2001, known as Project Genesis, which was designed to lower our fixed costs, relocate capacity, reduce our work force, improve efficiency and utilization, and better optimize our global footprint. We have subsequently engaged in various other restructuring projects related to Project Genesis. In 2009, we incurred $21 million in restructuring and related costs, of which $16 million was recorded in cost of sales, $1 million was recorded in selling, general, administrative and engineering expense and $4 million was recorded in depreciation and amortization expense. In the third quarter of 2010, we incurred $6 million in restructuring and related costs, of which $3 million was recorded in cost of sales and $3 million was recorded in depreciation and amortization expense. In the first nine months of 2010, we incurred $15 million in restructuring and related costs, of which $10 million was recorded in cost of sales and $5 million was recorded in depreciation and amortization expense.
 
Amounts related to activities that are part of our restructuring plans are as follows:
 
                                         
    December 31,
              September 30,
    2009
  2010
  Impact of
      2010
    Restructuring
  Cash
  Exchange
  Reserve
  Restructuring
(Millions)
  Reserve   Payments   Rates   Adjustments   Reserve
 
Severance
  $ 15       (6 )           (1 )   $ 8  
 
Under the terms of our amended and restated senior credit agreement that took effect on June 3, 2010, we are allowed to exclude $60 million of cash charges and expenses, before taxes, related to cost reduction initiatives incurred after June 3, 2010 from the calculation of the financial covenant ratios required under our senior credit facility. As of September 30, 2010, we have excluded $5 million in cumulative allowable charges relating to restructuring initiatives against the $60 million available under the terms of the February 2010 amended and restated senior credit facility.
 
On September 22, 2009, we announced that we will be closing our original equipment ride control plant in Cozad, Nebraska. We expect the elimination of 500 positions at the Cozad plant and expect to record up to $20 million in restructuring and related expenses, of which approximately $14 million represents cash expenditures. We originally planned to have completed the closing of this facility by the end of 2010, however, as a result of the faster than expected increase in light vehicle production in North America and to better optimize the transfer of some of the manufacturing activities, we plan to continue certain production lines through the first half of 2011. We plan to hire at other facilities as we move the production from Cozad to those facilities, resulting in a net decrease of approximately 60 positions. During 2009 we recorded $11 million of restructuring and related expenses related to this initiative. For the third quarter of 2010, we recorded $3 million of restructuring and related expenses related to this initiative. For the first nine months of 2010, we recorded $8 million of restructuring and related expenses related to this initiative.
 
(7)  We are subject to a variety of environmental and pollution control laws and regulations in all jurisdictions in which we operate. We expense or capitalize, as appropriate, expenditures for ongoing compliance with environmental regulations that relate to current operations. We expense costs related to an existing condition caused by past operations that do not contribute to current or future revenue generation. We record liabilities when environmental assessments indicate that remedial efforts are probable and the costs can be reasonably estimated. Estimates of the liability are based upon currently available facts, existing technology, and presently enacted laws and regulations taking into consideration the likely effects of inflation and other societal and economic factors. We consider all available evidence including prior experience in remediation of contaminated sites, other companies’


18


 

TENNECO INC.
 
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Unaudited)
 
cleanup experiences and data released by the United States Environmental Protection Agency or other organizations. These estimated liabilities are subject to revision in future periods based on actual costs or new information. Where future cash flows are fixed or reliably determinable, we have discounted the liabilities. All other environmental liabilities are recorded at their undiscounted amounts. We evaluate recoveries separately from the liability and, when they are assured, recoveries are recorded and reported separately from the associated liability in our condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
As of September 30, 2010, we have the obligation to remediate or contribute towards the remediation of certain sites, including two existing Superfund sites. At September 30, 2010, our estimated share of environmental remediation costs at these sites was approximately $18 million on a discounted basis. The undiscounted value of the estimated remediation costs was $22 million. For those locations in which the liability was discounted, the weighted average discounted rate used was 2.6 percent. Based on information known to us, we have established reserves that we believe are adequate for these costs. Although we believe these estimates of remediation costs are reasonable and are based on the latest available information, the costs are estimates and are subject to revision as more information becomes available about the extent of remediation required. At some sites, we expect that other parties will contribute towards the remediation costs. In addition, certain environmental statutes provide that our liability could be joint and several, meaning that we could be required to pay in excess of our share of remediation costs. Our understanding of the financial strength of other potentially responsible parties at these sites has been considered, where appropriate, in our determination of our estimated liability.
 
The $18 million noted above includes $6 million of estimated environmental remediation costs that result from the bankruptcy of Mark IV Industries in 2009. Prior to our 1996 acquisition of The Pullman Company, Pullman had sold certain assets to Mark IV. As partial consideration for the purchase of these assets, Mark IV agreed to assume Pullman’s and its subsidiaries’ historical obligations to contribute to the environmental remediation of certain sites. Mark IV has filed a petition for insolvency under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code and notified Pullman that it no longer intends to continue to contribute toward the remediation of those sites. We are conducting a thorough analysis and review of these matters and it is possible that our estimate may change as additional information becomes available to us.
 
We do not believe that any potential costs associated with our current status as a potentially responsible party in the Superfund sites, or as a liable party at the other locations referenced herein, will be material to our condensed consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows.
 
We also from time to time are involved in legal proceedings, claims or investigations that are incidental to the conduct of our business. Some of these proceedings allege damages against us relating to environmental liabilities (including toxic tort, property damage and remediation), intellectual property matters (including patent, trademark and copyright infringement, and licensing disputes), personal injury claims (including injuries due to product failure, design or warning issues, and other product liability related matters), taxes, employment matters, and commercial or contractual disputes, sometimes related to acquisitions or divestitures. For example, one of our Argentine subsidiaries is currently defending against a criminal complaint alleging the failure to comply with laws requiring the proceeds of export transactions to be collected, reported and/or converted to local currency within specified time periods. As another example, we have become subject to an audit in 12 states of our practices with respect to the payment of unclaimed property to those states. We currently have practices in place which we believe ensure that we pay unclaimed property as required. We are in the initial stages of this audit, which could cover nearly 30 years. We vigorously defend ourselves against all of these claims. In future periods, we could be subjected to cash costs or non-cash charges to earnings if any of these matters is resolved on unfavorable terms. However, although the ultimate outcome of any legal matter cannot be predicted with certainty, based on current information, including our assessment of the merits of the particular claim, we do not expect that these legal proceedings or claims will have any material adverse impact on our future consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.


19


 

TENNECO INC.
 
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Unaudited)
 
In addition, we are subject to a number of lawsuits initiated by a significant number of claimants alleging health problems as a result of exposure to asbestos. In the early 2000’s we were named in nearly 20,000 complaints, most of which were filed in Mississippi state court and the vast majority of which made no allegations of exposure to asbestos from our product categories. Most of these claims have been dismissed and our current docket of active and inactive cases is less than 500 cases nationwide. A small number of claims have been asserted by railroad workers alleging exposure to asbestos products in railroad cars manufactured by The Pullman Company, one of our subsidiaries. The balance of the claims is related to alleged exposure to asbestos in our automotive emission control products. Only a small percentage of these claimants allege that they were automobile mechanics and a significant number appear to involve workers in other industries or otherwise do not include sufficient information to determine whether there is any basis for a claim against us. We believe, based on scientific and other evidence, it is unlikely that mechanics were exposed to asbestos by our former muffler products and that, in any event, they would not be at increased risk of asbestos-related disease based on their work with these products. Further, many of these cases involve numerous defendants, with the number of each in some cases exceeding 100 defendants from a variety of industries. Additionally, the plaintiffs either do not specify any, or specify the jurisdictional minimum, dollar amount for damages. As major asbestos manufacturers continue to go out of business or file for bankruptcy, we may experience an increased number of these claims. We vigorously defend ourselves against these claims as part of our ordinary course of business. In future periods, we could be subject to cash costs or non-cash charges to earnings if any of these matters is resolved unfavorably to us. To date, with respect to claims that have proceeded sufficiently through the judicial process, we have regularly achieved favorable resolution. Accordingly, we presently believe that these asbestos-related claims will not have a material adverse impact on our future consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
 
We provide warranties on some of our products. The warranty terms vary but range from one year up to limited lifetime warranties on some of our premium aftermarket products. Provisions for estimated expenses related to product warranty are made at the time products are sold or when specific warranty issues are identified on OE products. These estimates are established using historical information about the nature, frequency, and average cost of warranty claims. We actively study trends of our warranty claims and take action to improve product quality and minimize warranty claims. We believe that the warranty reserve is appropriate; however, actual claims incurred could differ from the original estimates, requiring adjustments to the reserve. The reserve is included in both current and long-term liabilities on the balance sheet.
 
Below is a table that shows the activity in the warranty accrual accounts:
 
                 
    Nine Months
 
    Ended
 
    September 30,  
    2010     2009  
    (Millions)  
 
Beginning Balance January 1,
  $ 32     $ 27  
Accruals related to product warranties
    13       10  
Reductions for payments made
    (12 )     (9 )
                 
Ending Balance September 30,
  $ 33     $ 28  
                 


20


 

TENNECO INC.
 
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Unaudited)
 
(8)  Earnings (loss) per share of common stock outstanding were computed as follows:
 
                                 
    Three Months
    Three Months
    Nine Months
    Nine Months
 
    Ended
    Ended
    Ended
    Ended
 
    September 30,
    September 30,
    September 30,
    September 30,
 
    2010     2009     2010     2009  
    (Millions Except Share and Per Share Amounts)  
 
Basic earnings (loss) per share —
                               
Net income (loss) attributable to Tenneco Inc. 
  $ 10     $ (8 )   $ 57     $ (90 )
                                 
Average shares of common stock outstanding
    59,235,282       46,742,403       59,102,041       46,694,885  
                                 
Earnings (loss) per average share of common stock
  $ 0.17     $ (0.17 )   $ 0.97     $ (1.93 )
                                 
Diluted earnings (loss) per share —
                               
Net income (loss) attributable to Tenneco Inc. 
  $ 10     $ (8 )   $ 57     $ (90 )
                                 
Average shares of common stock outstanding
    59,235,282       46,742,403       59,102,041       46,694,885  
Effect of dilutive securities:
                               
Restricted stock
    411,115             417,262        
Stock options
    1,433,522             1,339,790        
                                 
Average shares of common stock outstanding including dilutive securities
    61,079,919       46,742,403       60,859,093       46,694,885  
                                 
Earnings (loss) per average share of common stock
  $ 0.17     $ (0.17 )   $ 0.94     $ (1.93 )
                                 
 
The calculation of diluted earnings per share includes the dilutive effect of 1,433,522 stock options and 411,115 shares of restricted stock for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 1,339,790 stock options and 417,262 shares of restricted stock for the nine months ended September 30, 2010. As a result of the net loss for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2009, the calculation of diluted share excludes the dilutive effect of 1,342,994 stock options and 381,159 shares of restrictive stock for the three months ended September 30, 2009 and 907,178 stock options for the nine month period ended September 30, 2009. In addition, for the three month periods ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, options to purchase 2,006,906 and 2,336,927 shares of common stock and 162,608 and 264,354 shares of restricted stock were outstanding, respectively, but not included in the computation of dilutive earnings (loss) per share, because the options were antidilutive. For the nine month periods ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, options to purchase 2,100,638 and 2,772,743 shares of common stock and 156,461 and 645,513 shares of restricted stock were outstanding, respectively, but not included in the computation of diluted earnings (loss) per share as they were antidilutive.
 
(9)  Equity Plans — We have granted a variety of awards, including common stock, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance units, stock appreciation rights (“SARs”), and stock options to our directors, officers, and employees.


21


 

TENNECO INC.
 
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Unaudited)
 
Accounting Methods — The impact of recognizing compensation expense related to nonqualified stock options is contained in the table below.
 
                 
    Nine Months
 
    Ended September 30,  
    2010     2009  
    (Millions)  
 
Selling, general and administrative
  $ 2     $ 2  
                 
Loss before interest expense, income taxes and noncontrolling interests
    (2 )     (2 )
Income tax benefit
           
                 
Net loss
  $ (2 )   $ (2 )
                 
Decrease in basic earnings per share
  $ (0.04 )   $ (0.05 )
Decrease in diluted earnings per share
  $ (0.04 )   $ (0.05 )
 
We immediately expense stock options and restricted stock awarded to employees who are eligible to retire. When employees become eligible to retire during the vesting period, we recognize the remaining expense associated with their stock options and restricted stock.
 
As of September 30, 2010, there was approximately $5 million of unrecognized compensation costs related to our stock option awards that we expect to recognize over a weighted average period of 0.9 years.
 
Compensation expense for restricted stock, restricted stock units, long-term performance units and SARs, was $8 million and $4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively, and was recorded in selling, general, and administrative expense on the statement of income (loss).
 
Cash received from stock option exercises during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 was $2 million and stock options exercised during the first nine months of 2010 would have generated an excess tax benefit of $2 million. We did not record the excess tax benefit as we have federal and state net operating losses which are not currently being utilized.
 
Assumptions — We calculated the fair values of stock option awards using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the weighted average assumptions listed below. The fair value of share-based awards is determined at the time the awards are granted which is generally in January of each year, and requires judgment in estimating employee and market behavior.
 
                 
    Nine Months
 
    Ended
 
    September 30,  
    2010     2009  
 
Stock Options Granted
               
Weighted average grant date fair value, per share
  $ 11.76     $ 1.31  
Weighted average assumptions used:
               
Expected volatility
    75.4 %     82.6 %
Expected lives
    4.6       4.5  
Risk-free interest rates
    2.2 %     1.48 %
Dividend yields
    0.0 %     0.0 %
 
Expected lives of options are based upon the historical and expected time to post-vesting forfeiture and exercise. We believe this method is the best estimate of the future exercise patterns currently available.


22


 

TENNECO INC.
 
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Unaudited)
 
The risk-free interest rates are based upon the Constant Maturity Rates provided by the U.S. Treasury. For our valuations, we used the continuous rate with a term equal to the expected life of the options.
 
Stock Options — The following table reflects the status and activity for all options to purchase common stock for the period indicated:
 
                                 
    Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010  
                Weighted Avg.
       
    Shares
    Weighted Avg.
    Remaining
    Aggregate
 
    Under
    Exercise
    Life in
    Intrinsic
 
    Option     Prices     Years     Value  
                      (Millions)  
 
Outstanding Stock Options
                               
Outstanding, January 1, 2010
    3,425,457     $ 13.21       4.6     $ 20  
Granted
    346,774       19.48                  
Canceled
    (15,000 )     10.66                  
Forfeited
    (16,471 )     19.72                  
Exercised
    (55,375 )     6.06               1  
                                 
Outstanding, March 31, 2010
    3,685,385     $ 13.89       4.7     $ 30  
Granted
    6,398       24.27                  
Canceled
                           
Forfeited
    (1,350 )     25.09                  
Exercised
    (32,546 )     11.30                
                                 
Outstanding, June 30, 2010
    3,657,887     $ 13.93       4.6     $ 37  
Granted
    4,540       22.58                  
Canceled
                           
Forfeited
    (13,891 )     6.58                  
Exercised
    (208,108 )     6.56               4  
                                 
Outstanding, September 30, 2010
    3,440,428     $ 14.38       4.3     $ 39  
                                 


23


 

TENNECO INC.
 
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Unaudited)
 
Restricted Stock — The following table reflects the status for all nonvested restricted shares for the period indicated:
 
                 
    Nine Months Ended
 
    September 30, 2010  
          Weighted Avg.
 
          Grant Date
 
    Shares     Fair Value  
 
Nonvested Restricted Shares
               
Nonvested balance at January 1, 2010
    644,052     $ 9.85  
Granted
    240,555       19.48  
Vested
    (307,981 )     13.82  
Forfeited
    (3,064 )     4.10  
                 
Nonvested balance at March 31, 2010
    573,562     $ 11.50  
Granted
    4,099       24.27  
Vested
    (2,913 )     13.54  
Forfeited
    (160 )     1.85  
                 
Nonvested balance at June 30, 2010
    574,588     $ 11.59  
Granted
    2,909       22.58  
Vested
    (3,338 )     18.46  
Forfeited
    (436 )     1.85  
                 
Nonvested balance at September 30, 2010
    573,723     $ 11.61  
                 
 
The fair value of restricted stock grants is equal to the average of the high and low market price of our stock at the date of grant. As of September 30, 2010, approximately $4 million of total unrecognized compensation costs related to restricted stock awards is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately 1.9 years.
 
Long-Term Performance Units, Restricted Stock Units and SARs — Long-term performance units, restricted stock units and SARs are paid in cash and recognized as a liability based upon their fair value. As of September 30, 2010, $8 million of unrecognized compensation costs is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately 2.2 years.
 
(10)  Net periodic pension costs (income) and postretirement benefit costs (income) consist of the following components:
 
                                                 
    Three Months Ended September 30,  
    Pension     Postretirement  
    2010     2009     2010     2009  
    US     Foreign     US     Foreign     US     US  
                (Millions)              
 
Service cost — benefits earned during the period
  $ 1     $ 1     $     $ 1     $     $ 1  
Interest cost
    5       5       5       5       2       2  
Expected return on plan assets
    (5 )     (5 )     (6 )     (5 )            
Settlement loss
    4                                
Net amortization:
                                               
Actuarial loss
          1       1       1       2       1  
Prior service cost
                            (2 )     (1 )
                                                 
Net pension and postretirement costs
  $ 5     $ 2     $     $ 2     $ 2     $ 3  
                                                 


24


 

TENNECO INC.
 
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Unaudited)
 
                                                 
    Nine Months Ended September 30,  
    Pension     Postretirement  
    2010     2009     2010     2009  
    US     Foreign     US     Foreign     US     US  
                (Millions)              
 
Service cost — benefits earned during the period
  $ 1     $ 4     $ 1     $ 3     $ 1     $ 1  
Interest cost
    15       14       15       13       6       6  
Expected return on plan assets
    (15 )     (15 )     (17 )     (14 )            
Settlement loss
    4             2                    
Net amortization:
                                               
Actuarial loss
    2       3       2       2       4       4  
Prior service cost
          1             1       (5 )     (4 )
                                                 
Net pension and postretirement costs
  $ 7     $ 7     $ 3     $ 5     $ 6     $ 7  
                                                 
 
In September 2010, we recognized a charge of $4 million related to an actuarial loss for a lump-sum pension payment to a former employee. For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, we made pension contributions of $21 million for our domestic pension plans and $12 million for our foreign pension plans. Based on current actuarial estimates, we believe we will be required to make approximately $21 million in contributions for the remainder of 2010.
 
We made postretirement contributions of approximately $6 million during the first nine months of 2010. Based on current actuarial estimates, we believe we will be required to make approximately $4 million in contributions for the remainder of 2010.
 
The assets of some of our pension plans are invested in trusts that permit commingling of the assets of more than one employee benefit plan for investment and administrative purposes. Each of the plans participating in the trust has interests in the net assets of the underlying investment pools of the trusts. The investments for all our pension plans are recorded at estimated fair value, in compliance with the recent accounting guidance on fair value measurement.
 
(11)  In January 2010, we purchased an additional 20 percent equity interest in our Tenneco Tongtai (Dalian) Exhaust System Co., Ltd. joint venture investment in China for $15 million in cash. As a result of this purchase, our equity ownership percentage of this joint venture investment increased to 80 percent from 60 percent.
 
(12)  In June 2009, the FASB issued new accounting guidance which changes the accounting for transfers of financial assets, by eliminating the concept of a qualifying special purpose entity (QSPE), clarifying and amending the derecognition criteria for a transfer to be accounted for as a sale, amending and clarifying the unit of account eligible for sale accounting and requiring that a transferor initially measure at fair value and recognize all assets obtained and liabilities incurred as a result of a transfer of a financial asset or group of financial assets accounted for as a sale. Additionally, all existing QSPE’s must be evaluated for consolidation by reporting entities in accordance with the applicable consolidation guidance. The new accounting guidance requires additional disclosures about a transferor’s continuing involvement with transfers of financial assets accounted for as a sale, the risks inherent in the transferred financial assets that have been retained, and the nature and financial effect of restrictions on the transferor’s assets that continue to be reported in the statement of financial position. The new accounting guidance is effective for a reporting entity’s first annual reporting period that begins after November 15, 2009, and for interim and annual reporting periods thereafter. We have adopted this new accounting guidance on January 1, 2010. Prior to the adoption of this new accounting guidance, our securitized accounts receivable programs qualified for sales accounting treatment. The discount fees charged by the factor banks were recorded as a loss on sale of receivables in our condensed consolidated statements of income (loss). Based on the new accounting rules, effective January 1,


25


 

TENNECO INC.
 
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Unaudited)
 
2010, we account for our North American securitization programs as a secured borrowing as we no longer meet the conditions required for sales accounting treatment. Our European securitization programs continue to qualify for sales accounting treatment under these new accounting rules. We have disclosed the impact of this accounting rule change on our condensed consolidated financial statements and added additional disclosures as required under this new accounting guidance in Footnote 5 of our notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
In June 2009, the FASB issued new accounting guidance which changes the criterion relating to the consolidation of variable interest entities (VIE) and amends the guidance governing the determination of whether an enterprise is the primary beneficiary of a VIE by requiring a qualitative rather than quantitative analysis. The new accounting guidance also requires continuous reassessments of whether an enterprise is the primary beneficiary of a VIE and enhanced disclosures about an entity’s involvement with a VIE. The new accounting guidance is effective for a reporting entity’s first annual reporting period that begins after November 15, 2009, and for interim and annual reporting periods thereafter. The adoption of this new accounting guidance on January 1, 2010, did not have any impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
(13)  We have from time to time issued guarantees for the performance of obligations by some of our subsidiaries, and some of our subsidiaries have guaranteed our debt. All of our existing and future material domestic wholly-owned subsidiaries fully and unconditionally guarantee our senior credit facility, our senior notes and our senior subordinated notes on a joint and several basis. The arrangement for the senior credit facility is also secured by first-priority liens on substantially all our domestic assets and pledges of up to 66 percent of the stock of certain first-tier foreign subsidiaries. You should also read Note 15 of the condensed consolidated financial statements of Tenneco Inc., where we present the Supplemental Guarantor Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements.
 
We have issued guarantees through letters of credit in connection with some obligations of our affiliates. As of September 30, 2010, we have guaranteed $52 million in letters of credit to support some of our subsidiaries’ insurance arrangements, foreign employee benefit programs, environmental remediation activities and cash management and capital requirements.
 
Negotiable Financial Instruments — One of our European subsidiaries receives payment from one of its OE customers whereby the accounts receivable are satisfied through the delivery of negotiable financial instruments. We may collect these financial instruments before their maturity date by either selling them at a discount or using them to satisfy accounts receivable that have previously been sold to a European bank. Any of these financial instruments which are not sold are classified as other current assets as they do not meet the definition of cash equivalents. The amount of these financial instruments that was collected before their maturity date and sold at a discount totaled $1 million and $5 million at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively. No negotiable financial instruments were held by our European subsidiary as of September 30, 2010 or December 31, 2009, respectively.
 
In certain instances several of our Chinese subsidiaries receive payment from OE customers and satisfy vendor payments through the receipt and delivery of negotiable financial instruments. Financial instruments used to satisfy vendor payables and not redeemed totaled $14 million and $15 million at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively, and were classified as notes payable. Financial instruments received from OE customers and not redeemed totaled $21 million and $15 million at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively. We classify financial instruments received from our OE customers as other current assets if issued by a financial institution of our customers or as customer notes and accounts, net if issued by our customer. At September 30, 2010, we classified $20 million in other current assets and $1 million in customer notes and accounts, net. At December 31, 2009, we classified $15 million in other current assets. Some of our Chinese subsidiaries that issue their own negotiable financial instruments to pay vendors are required to maintain a cash balance if they exceed certain credit limits with the financial institution that guarantees those financial instruments. A restricted cash balance was not required at those Chinese subsidiaries at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively.


26


 

TENNECO INC.
 
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Unaudited)
 
The negotiable financial instruments received by one of our European subsidiaries and some of our Chinese subsidiaries are checks drawn by our OE customers and guaranteed by their banks that are payable at a future date. The use of these instruments for payment follows local commercial practice. Because negotiable financial instruments are financial obligations of our customers and are guaranteed by our customers’ banks, we believe they represent a lower financial risk than the outstanding accounts receivable that they satisfy which are not guaranteed by a bank.
 
(14)  We are a global manufacturer with three geographic reportable segments: (1) North America, (2) Europe, South America and India (“Europe”), and (3) Asia Pacific. Each segment manufactures and distributes ride control and emission control products primarily for the automotive industry. We have not aggregated individual operating segments within these reportable segments. We evaluate segment performance based primarily on income before interest expense, income taxes, and noncontrolling interests. Products are transferred between segments and geographic areas on a basis intended to reflect as nearly as possible the “market value” of the products.
 
The following table summarizes certain Tenneco Inc. segment information:
 
                                         
    Segment  
    North
          Asia
    Reclass &
       
    America     Europe     Pacific     Elims     Consolidated  
    (Millions)  
 
For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2010
                                       
Revenues from external customers
  $ 762     $ 613     $ 167     $     $ 1,542  
Intersegment revenues
    3       44       9       (56 )      
Income before interest expense, income taxes, and noncontrolling interests
    42       15       10             67  
For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2009
                                       
Revenues from external customers
  $ 578     $ 541     $ 135     $     $ 1,254  
Intersegment revenues
    2       47       4       (53 )      
Income before interest expense, income taxes, and noncontrolling interests
    17       10       8             35  
At September 30, 2010 and for the Nine Months Then Ended
                                       
Revenues from external customers
  $ 2,105     $ 1,780     $ 475     $     $ 4,360  
Intersegment revenues
    8       115       21       (144 )      
Income before interest expense, income taxes, and noncontrolling interests
    128       57       34             219  
Total assets
    1,345       1,450       459       16       3,270  
At September 30, 2009 and for the Nine Months Then Ended
                                       
Revenues from external customers
  $ 1,515     $ 1,467     $ 345     $     $ 3,327  
Intersegment revenues
    5       119       9       (133 )      
Income before interest expense, income taxes, and noncontrolling interests
    27       (1 )     13             39  
Total assets
    1,148       1,413       361       17       2,939  
 
(15)  Supplemental guarantor condensed consolidating financial statements are presented below:
 
Basis of Presentation
 
Subject to limited exceptions, all of our existing and future material domestic 100% owned subsidiaries (which are referred to as the Guarantor Subsidiaries) fully and unconditionally guarantee our senior subordinated notes due


27


 

TENNECO INC.
 
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Unaudited)
 
in 2014 and our senior notes due in 2015 and 2018 on a joint and several basis. The Guarantor Subsidiaries are combined in the presentation below.
 
These condensed consolidating financial statements are presented on the equity method. Under this method, our investments are recorded at cost and adjusted for our ownership share of a subsidiary’s cumulative results of operations, capital contributions and distributions, and other equity changes. You should read the condensed consolidating financial information of the Guarantor Subsidiaries in connection with our condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes of which this note is an integral part.
 
Distributions
 
There are no significant restrictions on the ability of the Guarantor Subsidiaries to make distributions to us.


28


 

TENNECO INC.
 
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Unaudited)
 
STATEMENT OF INCOME (LOSS)
 
                                         
    For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2010  
                Tenneco Inc.
             
    Guarantor
    Nonguarantor
    (Parent
    Reclass &
       
    Subsidiaries     Subsidiaries     Company)     Elims     Consolidated  
                (Millions)              
 
Revenues
                                       
Net sales and operating revenues —
                                       
External
  $ 699     $ 843     $     $     $ 1,542  
Affiliated companies
    33       125             (158 )      
                                         
      732       968             (158 )     1,542  
                                         
Costs and expenses
                                       
Cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown below)
    655       783             (158 )     1,280  
Engineering, research, and development
    14       16                   30  
Selling, general, and administrative
    42       66       1             109  
Depreciation and amortization of other intangibles
    23       32                   55  
                                         
      734       897       1       (158 )     1,474  
                                         
Other income (expense)
                                       
Loss on sale of receivables
          (1 )                 (1 )
Other income (loss)
    5       (4 )           (1 )      
                                         
      5       (5 )           (1 )     (1 )
                                         
Income (loss) before interest expense, income taxes, noncontrolling interests, and equity in net income from affiliated companies
    3       66       (1 )     (1 )     67  
                                         
Interest expense —
                                       
External (net of interest capitalized)
          2       34             36  
Affiliated companies (net of interest income)
    49       (17 )     (32 )            
Income tax expense (benefit)
    1       14                   15  
Equity in net income (loss) from affiliated companies
    57             13       (70 )      
                                         
Net Income (loss)
    10       67       10       (71 )     16  
                                         
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests
          6                   6  
                                         
Net income (loss) attributable to Tenneco Inc. 
  $ 10     $ 61     $ 10     $ (71 )   $ 10  
                                         


29


 

TENNECO INC.
 
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Unaudited)
 
STATEMENT OF INCOME (LOSS)
 
                                         
    For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2009  
                Tenneco Inc.
             
    Guarantor
    Nonguarantor
    (Parent
    Reclass &
       
    Subsidiaries     Subsidiaries     Company)     Elims     Consolidated  
                (Millions)              
 
Revenues
                                       
Net sales and operating revenues —
                                       
External
  $ 533     $ 721     $     $     $ 1,254  
Affiliated companies
    31       118             (149 )      
                                         
      564       839             (149 )     1,254  
                                         
Costs and expenses
                                       
Cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown below)
    547       645             (149 )     1,043  
Engineering, research, and development
    11       16                   27  
Selling, general, and administrative
    29       61                   90  
Depreciation and amortization of other intangibles
    22       33                   55  
                                         
      609       755             (149 )     1,215  
                                         
Other income (expense)
                                       
Loss on sale of receivables
          (2 )                 (2 )
Other income (loss)
    (1 )           (1 )           (2 )
                                         
      (1 )     (2 )     (1 )           (4 )
                                         
Income (loss) before interest expense, income taxes, noncontrolling interests, and equity in net income from affiliated companies
    (46 )     82       (1 )           35  
                                         
Interest expense —
                                       
External (net of interest capitalized)
          1       34             35  
Affiliated companies (net of interest income)
    36       (4 )     (32 )            
Income tax expense (benefit)
    (1 )     5                   4  
Equity in net income (loss) from affiliated companies
    73             (5 )     (68 )      
                                         
Net income (loss)
    (8 )     80       (8 )     (68 )     (4 )
                                         
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests
          4                   4  
                                         
Net income (loss) attributable to Tenneco Inc. 
  $ (8 )   $ 76     $ (8 )   $ (68 )   $ (8 )
                                         


30


 

TENNECO INC.
 
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Unaudited)
 
STATEMENT OF INCOME (LOSS)
 
                                         
    For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010  
                Tenneco Inc.
             
    Guarantor
    Nonguarantor
    (Parent
    Reclass &
       
    Subsidiaries     Subsidiaries     Company)     Elims     Consolidated  
                (Millions)              
 
Revenues
                                       
Net sales and operating revenues —
                                       
External
  $ 1,919     $ 2,441     $     $     $ 4,360  
Affiliated companies
    95       360             (455 )      
                                         
      2,014       2,801             (455 )     4,360  
                                         
Costs and expenses
                                       
Cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown below)
    1,707       2,323             (455 )     3,575  
Engineering, research, and development
    40       50                   90  
Selling, general, and administrative
    115       189       3             307  
Depreciation and amortization of other intangibles
    66       97                   163  
                                         
      1,928       2,659       3       (455 )     4,135  
                                         
Other income (expense)
                                       
Loss on sale of receivables
          (3 )                 (3 )
Other income (loss)
    14       (2 )     1       (16 )     (3 )
                                         
      14       (5 )     1       (16 )     (6 )
                                         
Income (loss) before interest expense, income taxes, noncontrolling interests, and equity in net income from affiliated companies
    100       137       (2 )     (16 )     219  
                                         
Interest expense —
                                       
External (net of interest capitalized)
    (1 )     6       95             100  
Affiliated companies (net of interest income)
    136       (40 )     (96 )            
Income tax expense (benefit)
    5       40                   45  
Equity in net income (loss) from affiliated companies
    104             58       (162 )      
                                         
Net Income (loss)
    64       131       57       (178 )     74  
                                         
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests
          17                   17  
                                         
Net income (loss) attributable to Tenneco Inc. 
  $ 64     $ 114     $ 57     $ (178 )   $ 57  
                                         


31


 

TENNECO INC.
 
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Unaudited)
 
STATEMENT OF INCOME (LOSS)
 
                                         
    For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009  
                Tenneco Inc.
             
    Guarantor
    Nonguarantor
    (Parent
    Reclass &
       
    Subsidiaries     Subsidiaries     Company)     Elims     Consolidated  
                (Millions)              
 
Revenues
                                       
Net sales and operating revenues —
                                       
External
  $ 1,390     $ 1,937     $     $     $ 3,327  
Affiliated companies
    71       288             (359 )      
                                         
      1,461       2,225             (359 )     3,327  
                                         
Costs and expenses
                                       
Cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown below)
    1,348       1,794             (359 )     2,783  
Engineering, research, and development
    25       47                   72  
Selling, general, and administrative
    78       176       2             256  
Depreciation and amortization of other intangibles
    67       95                   162  
                                         
      1,518       2,112       2       (359 )     3,273  
                                         
Other income (expense)
                                       
Loss on sale of receivables
          (6 )                 (6 )
Other income (loss)
    (4 )     9             (14 )     (9 )
                                         
      (4 )     3             (14 )     (15 )
                                         
Income (loss) before interest expense, income taxes, noncontrolling interests, and equity in net income from affiliated companies
    (61 )     116       (2 )     (14 )     39  
                                         
Interest expense —
                                       
External (net of interest capitalized)
    (1 )     3       99             101  
Affiliated companies (net of interest income)
    103       (10 )     (93 )            
Income tax expense (benefit)
    4       14                   18  
Equity in net income (loss) from affiliated companies
    94             (82 )     (12 )      
                                         
Net income (loss)
    (73 )     109       (90 )     (26 )     (80 )
                                         
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests
          10                   10  
                                         
Net income (loss) attributable to Tenneco Inc. 
  $ (73 )   $ 99     $ (90 )   $ (26 )   $ (90 )
                                         


32


 

TENNECO INC.
 
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Unaudited)
 
BALANCE SHEET
 
                                         
    September 30, 2010  
                Tenneco Inc.
             
    Guarantor
    Nonguarantor
    (Parent
    Reclass
       
    Subsidiaries     Subsidiaries     Company)     & Elims     Consolidated  
                (Millions)              
 
ASSETS
                                       
Current assets:
                                       
Cash and cash equivalents
  $     $ 184     $     $     $ 184  
Receivables, net
    574       1,079       23       (707 )     969  
Inventories
    220       329                   549  
Deferred income taxes
    102                   (54 )     48  
Prepayments and other
    28       139                   167  
                                         
Total current assets
    924       1,731       23       (761 )     1,917  
                                         
Other assets:
                                       
Investment in affiliated companies
    332             702       (1,034 )      
Notes and advances receivable from affiliates
    3,992       626       5,817       (10,435 )      
Long-term receivables, net
    2       9                   11  
Goodwill
    22       67                   89  
Intangibles, net
    15       17                   32  
Deferred income taxes
    33       20       24             77  
Other
    28       50       29             107  
                                         
      4,424       789       6,572       (11,469 )     316  
                                         
Plant, property, and equipment, at cost
    991       2,078                   3,069  
Less — Accumulated depreciation and amortization
    (704 )     (1,328 )                 (2,032 )
                                         
      287       750                   1,037  
                                         
Total assets
  $ 5,635     $ 3,270     $ 6,595     $ (12,230 )   $ 3,270  
                                         
                                         
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY                                        
Current liabilities:
                                       
Short-term debt (including current maturities of long-term debt)
                                       
Short-term debt — non-affiliated
  $     $ 69     $ 1     $     $ 70  
Short-term debt — affiliated
    102       452       10       (564 )      
Trade payables
    450       746             (126 )     1,070  
Accrued taxes
    21       28                   49  
Other
    155       227       52       (71 )     363  
                                         
Total current liabilities
    728       1,522       63       (761 )     1,552  
                                         
Long-term debt — non-affiliated
          12       1,215             1,227  
Long-term debt — affiliated
    4,578       578       5,279       (10,435 )      
Deferred income taxes
          53                   53  
Postretirement benefits and other liabilities
    319       67             4       390  
Commitments and contingencies
                                       
                                         
Total liabilities
    5,625       2,232       6,557       (11,192 )     3,222  
                                         
Redeemable noncontrolling interests
          10                   10  
                                         
Tenneco Inc. Shareholders’ equity
    10       995       38       (1,038 )     5  
                                         
Noncontrolling interests
          33                   33  
                                         
Total equity
    10       1,028       38       (1,038 )     38  
                                         
Total liabilities, redeemable noncontrolling interests and equity
  $ 5,635     $ 3,270     $ 6,595     $ (12,230 )   $ 3,270  
                                         


33


 

TENNECO INC.
 
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Unaudited)
 
BALANCE SHEET
 
                                         
    December 31, 2009  
                Tenneco Inc.
             
    Guarantor
    Nonguarantor
    (Parent
    Reclass
       
    Subsidiaries     Subsidiaries     Company)     & Elims     Consolidated  
                (Millions)              
 
ASSETS
                                       
Current assets:
                                       
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 20     $ 147     $     $     $ 167  
Receivables, net
    289       936       39       (668 )     596  
Inventories
    161       267                   428  
Deferred income taxes
          69             (34 )     35  
Prepayments and other
    43       124                   167  
                                         
Total current assets
    513       1,543       39       (702 )     1,393  
                                         
Other assets:
                                       
Investment in affiliated companies
    591             632       (1,223 )      
Notes and advances receivable from affiliates
    3,872       308       5,818       (9,998 )      
Long-term receivables, net
    3       5                   8  
Goodwill
    22       67                   89  
Intangibles, net
    16       14                   30  
Deferred income taxes
    75       25       15       (15 )     100  
Other
    28       58       25             111  
                                         
      4,607       477       6,490       (11,236 )     338  
                                         
Plant, property, and equipment, at cost
    1,005       2,094                   3,099  
Less — Accumulated depreciation and amortization
    (696 )     (1,293 )                 (1,989 )
                                         
      309       801                   1,110  
                                         
Total assets
  $ 5,429     $ 2,821     $ 6,529     $ (11,938 )   $ 2,841  
                                         
                                         
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY                                        
Current liabilities:
                                       
Short-term debt (including current maturities of long-term debt)
                                       
Short-term debt — non-affiliated
  $     $ 74     $ 1     $     $ 75  
Short-term debt — affiliated
    302       229       10       (541 )      
Trade payables
    270       609             (113 )     766  
Accrued taxes
    6       30                   36  
Other
    167       166       39       (48 )     324  
                                         
Total current liabilities
    745       1,108       50       (702 )     1,201  
                                         
Long-term debt — non-affiliated
          8       1,137             1,145  
Long-term debt — affiliated
    4,374       261       5,363       (9,998 )      
Deferred income taxes
    15       66             (15 )     66  
Postretirement benefits and other liabilities
    326       81             4       411  
Commitments and contingencies
                                       
                                         
Total liabilities
    5,460       1,524       6,550       (10,711 )     2,823  
                                         
Redeemable noncontrolling interests
          7                   7  
                                         
Tenneco Inc. Shareholders’ equity
    (31 )     1,258       (21 )     (1,227 )     (21 )
                                         
Noncontrolling interests
          32                   32  
                                         
Total equity
    (31 )     1,290       (21 )     (1,227 )     11  
                                         
Total liabilities, redeemable noncontrolling interests and equity
  $ 5,429     $ 2,821     $ 6,529     $ (11,938 )   $ 2,841  
                                         


34


 

TENNECO INC.
 
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Unaudited)
 
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
 
                                         
    Three Months Ended September 30, 2010  
                Tenneco Inc.
             
    Guarantor
    Nonguarantor
    (Parent
    Reclass
       
    Subsidiaries     Subsidiaries     Company)     & Elims     Consolidated  
    (Millions)  
 
Operating Activities
                                       
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities
  $ (25 )   $ 65     $ (23 )   $     $ 17  
                                         
Investing Activities
                                       
Proceeds from the sale of assets
    1       1                   2  
Cash payments for plant, property, and equipment
    (11 )     (22 )                 (33 )
Cash payments for software related intangible assets
    (2 )     (1 )                 (3 )
Investments and other
          (1 )                 (1 )
                                         
Net cash used by investing activities
    (12 )     (23 )                 (35 )
                                         
Financing Activities
                                       
Issuance of long-term debt
                225             225  
Retirement of long-term debt
          (1 )     (245 )           (246 )
Debt issuance cost on long-term debt
                (5 )           (5 )
Increase (decrease) in bank overdrafts
          10                   10  
Net increase (decrease) in revolver borrowings and short-term debt excluding current maturities of long-term debt
          2       61             63  
Intercompany dividends and net increase (decrease) in intercompany obligations
    35       (22 )     (13 )            
Distribution to noncontrolling interests partners
          (3 )                 (3 )
                                         
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities
    35       (14 )     23             44  
                                         
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
          12                   12  
                                         
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
    (2 )     40                   38  
Cash and cash equivalents, July 1
    2       144                   146  
                                         
Cash and cash equivalents, September 30 (Note)
  $     $ 184     $     $     $ 184  
                                         
 
Note:  Cash and cash equivalents include highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase.


35


 

TENNECO INC.
 
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Unaudited)
 
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
 
                                         
    Three Months Ended September 30, 2009  
                Tenneco Inc.
             
    Guarantor
    Nonguarantor
    (Parent
    Reclass &
       
    Subsidiaries     Subsidiaries     Company)     Elims     Consolidated  
    (Millions)  
 
Operating Activities
                                       
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities
  $ 144     $ (12 )   $ (55 )   $     $ 77  
                                         
Investing Activities
                                       
Proceeds from the sale of assets
          1                   1  
Cash payment for plant, property, and equipment
    (11 )     (9 )                 (20 )
Cash payment for software related intangible assets
          (1 )                 (1 )
Investments and other
          1                   1  
                                         
Net cash used by investing activities
    (11 )     (8 )                 (19 )
                                         
Financing Activities
                                       
Issuance of long-term debt
                4             4  
Retirement of long-term debt
          (2 )     (5 )           (7 )
Increase (decrease) in bank overdrafts
          6                   6  
Net increase (decrease) in revolver borrowings and short-term debt excluding current maturities of long-term debt
          6       (57 )           (51 )
Intercompany dividends and net increase (decrease) in intercompany obligations
    (133 )     20       113              
Distribution to noncontrolling interest partners
                             
                                         
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities
    (133 )     30       55             (48 )
                                         
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
          16                   16  
                                         
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
          26                   26  
Cash and cash equivalents, July 1
          111                   111  
                                         
Cash and cash equivalents, September 30 (Note)
  $     $ 137     $     $     $ 137  
                                         
 
Note:  Cash and cash equivalents include highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase.


36


 

TENNECO INC.
 
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Unaudited)
 
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
 
                                         
    Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010  
                Tenneco Inc.
             
    Guarantor
    Nonguarantor
    (Parent
    Reclass
       
    Subsidiaries     Subsidiaries     Company)     & Elims     Consolidated  
    (Millions)  
 
Operating Activities
                                       
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities
  $ (88 )   $ 292     $ (140 )   $     $ 64  
                                         
Investing Activities
                                       
Proceeds from sale of assets
    1       2                   3  
Cash payments for plant, property, and equipment
    (40 )     (65 )                 (105 )
Cash payments for software related intangible assets
    (7 )     (4 )                 (11 )
Investments and other
          1                   1  
                                         
Net cash used by investing activities
    (46 )     (66 )                 (112 )
                                         
Financing Activities
                                       
Issuance of long-term debt
          5       375             380  
Retirement of long-term debt
          (3 )     (380 )           (383 )
Debt issuance cost on long-term debt
                (14 )           (14 )
Increase (decrease) in bank overdrafts
          12                   12  
Net increase (decrease) in revolver borrowings and short-term debt excluding current maturities of long-term debt
          (3 )     86             83  
Intercompany dividends and net increase (decrease) in intercompany obligations
    114       (187 )     73              
Distribution to noncontrolling interests partners
          (14 )                 (14 )
                                         
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities
    114       (190 )     140             64  
                                         
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
          1                   1  
                                         
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
    (20 )     37                   17  
Cash and cash equivalents, January 1
    20       147                   167  
                                         
Cash and cash equivalents, September 30 (Note)
  $     $ 184     $     $     $ 184  
                                         
 
Note:  Cash and cash equivalents include highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase.


37


 

TENNECO INC.
 
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Unaudited)
 
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
 
                                         
    Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009  
                Tenneco Inc.
             
    Guarantor
    Nonguarantor
    (Parent
    Reclass &
       
    Subsidiaries     Subsidiaries     Company)     Elims     Consolidated  
    (Millions)  
 
Operating Activities
                                       
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities
  $ 184     $ 116     $ (192 )   $     $ 108  
                                         
Investing Activities
                                       
Proceeds from the sale of assets
          3                   3  
Cash payment for plant, property, and equipment
    (35 )     (51 )                 (86 )
Cash payment for software related intangible assets
    (1 )     (4 )                 (5 )
Acquisition of business (net of cash acquired)
          1                   1  
Investments and other
          1                   1  
                                         
Net cash used by investing activities
    (36 )     (50 )                 (86 )
                                         
Financing Activities
                                       
Issuance of long-term debt
                6             6  
Debt issuance cost of long-term debt
                (8 )           (8 )
Retirement of long-term debt
          (4 )     (11 )           (15 )
Increase (decrease) in bank overdrafts
          (18 )                 (18 )
Net increase (decrease) in revolver borrowings and short-term debt excluding current maturities of long-term debt
          21       3             24  
Intercompany dividends and net increase (decrease) in intercompany obligations
    (164 )     (38 )     202              
Distribution to noncontrolling interest partners
          (10 )                 (10 )
                                         
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities
    (164 )     (49 )     192             (21 )
                                         
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
          10                   10  
                                         
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
    (16 )     27                   11  
Cash and cash equivalents, January 1
    16       110                   126  
                                         
Cash and cash equivalents, September 30 (Note)
  $     $ 137     $     $     $ 137  
                                         
 
Note:  Cash and cash equivalents include highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase.


38


 

ITEM 2.   MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
As you read the following review of our financial condition and results of operations, you should also read our condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes beginning on page 6.
 
Executive Summary
 
We are one of the world’s leading manufacturers of automotive emission control and ride control products and systems. We serve both original equipment (OE) vehicle designers and manufacturers and the repair and replacement markets, or aftermarket, globally through leading brands, including Monroe®, Rancho®, Clevite® Elastomers and Fric Rottm ride control products and Walker®, Fonostm, and Gillettm emission control products. Worldwide we serve more than 65 different original equipment manufacturers, and our products or systems are included on six of the top 10 passenger models produced in Europe and eight of the top 10 light truck models produced in North America for 2009. Our aftermarket customers are comprised of full-line and specialty warehouse distributors, retailers, jobbers, installer chains and car dealers. As of December 31, 2009, we operated 84 manufacturing facilities worldwide and employed approximately 21,000 people to service our customers’ demands.
 
Factors that continue to be critical to our success include winning new business awards, managing our overall global manufacturing footprint to ensure proper placement and workforce levels in line with business needs, maintaining competitive wages and benefits, maximizing efficiencies in manufacturing processes and reducing overall costs. In addition, our ability to adapt to key industry trends, such as a shift in consumer preferences to other vehicles in response to higher fuel costs and other economic and social factors, increasing technologically sophisticated content, changing aftermarket distribution channels, increasing environmental standards and extended product life of automotive parts, also play a critical role in our success. Other factors that are critical to our success include adjusting to economic challenges such as increases in the cost of raw materials and our ability to successfully reduce the impact of any such cost increases through material substitutions, cost reduction initiatives and other methods.
 
The deterioration in the global economy and global credit markets beginning in 2008 negatively impacted global business activity in general, and specifically the automotive industry in which we operate. The market turmoil and tightening of credit, as well as the dramatic decline in the housing market in the United States and Western Europe, led to a lack of consumer confidence evidenced by a rapid decline in light vehicle purchases in 2008 and the first six months of 2009. OE production started to stabilize and overall the production environment strengthened during the second half of 2009 compared to the first half of 2009 as production began to track more closely to vehicle sales after inventory corrections in the first half of 2009. Light vehicle production in the first nine months of 2010 has continued to strengthen. North American light vehicle production was up 53 percent year-over-year, while in Europe, light vehicle production in the first nine months of 2010 was up 18 percent year-over-year. Current light vehicle production projections for the fourth quarter of 2010 for North America and India are up year-over-year when compared to the fourth quarter of 2009, while projected light vehicle production for the fourth quarter for China is relatively even when compared to the fourth quarter of last year. Europe, South America and Australia, current light vehicle production projections for the fourth quarter of 2010 are down year-over-year when compared to the fourth quarter of 2009. Declines in production would have an adverse effect on the financial condition of our OE customers, and on our future results of operations.
 
We have a substantial amount of indebtedness. As such, our ability to generate cash — both to fund operations and service our debt — is also a significant area of focus for our company. See “Liquidity and Capital Resources” below for further discussion of cash flows and “Risk Factors” included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.
 
Total revenues for the third quarter of 2010 were $1,542 million, compared to $1,254 million in the third quarter of 2009. Excluding the impact of currency and substrate sales, revenue was up $202 million or 20 percent due to higher year-over-year OE vehicle production levels in all geographic regions and new platform launches. Stronger year-over-year aftermarket sales globally, in particular North America and South America, also contributed to the increase.


39


 

Gross margin in the third quarter of 2010 was 17.0 percent, up 0.2 percentage points from 16.8 percent in the third quarter of 2009. The increase was driven by an improvement in our cost of sales resulting from our lower year-over-year restructuring and related expenses which had a favorable impact on gross margin of 0.5 percentage points, higher year-over-year OE production and aftermarket volumes and the related manufacturing efficiencies, which had a favorable impact on gross margin of 2.0 percentage points and material cost management, which had a favorable impact on gross margin of 0.2 percentage points. Partially offsetting these improvements were a higher mix of OE revenues which included a higher mix of substrate sales, which had an unfavorable impact on gross margin of 1.1 percentage points, unfavorable currency, which had an unfavorable impact on gross margin of 0.1 percentage points, pricing primarily related to contractual price reductions, which had an unfavorable impact on gross margin of 0.5 percentage points, and various other items which in total had an unfavorable impact on gross margin of 0.8 percentage points.
 
Selling, general and administrative expense was up $19 million in the third quarter of 2010, at $109 million, compared to $90 million in the third quarter of 2009. Higher performance-based compensation costs, the restoration of salary and benefit cuts which were in place in the third quarter of 2009, along with a charge related to an actuarial loss for a lump-sum pension payment drove the increase. This pension charge relates to a non-qualified pension plan in which one current and three former employees were participants. Lump-sum pension payments are required when participants retire or when they turn 55. One former employee turned 55 in the current year third quarter. Another former employee will turn 55 in the fourth quarter which will result in an additional $2 million charge at that time. Engineering expense was $30 million and $27 million in the third quarter of 2010 and 2009, respectively. The restoration of employee salary and benefit cuts which were in place in the third quarter of 2009 primarily drove the higher engineering costs year-over-year. Selling, general, administrative and engineering expenses decreased to 9.0 percent of revenues from 9.3 percent of revenues in 2009 due to higher year-over-year revenues.
 
Earnings before interest expense, taxes and noncontrolling interests (“EBIT”) was $67 million for the third quarter of 2010 compared to $35 million in the third quarter of 2009. Improved year-over-year OE production volumes in every geographic region, the related manufacturing efficiencies, lower restructuring and related expenses and higher aftermarket sales globally drove the increase to EBIT. Higher selling, general, administrative and engineering expenses and an unfavorable currency impact of $1 million partially offset the increase.
 
Total revenues for the first nine months of 2010 were $4,360 million, compared to $3,327 million for the first nine months of 2009. Excluding the impact of currency and substrate sales, revenue was up $753 million, from $2,656 million to $3,409 million, driven by higher year-over-year OE vehicle production levels in every geographic region, new platform launches and higher aftermarket volumes.
 
Gross margin in the first nine months of 2010 was 18.0 percent, up 1.6 percentage points from 16.4 percent in 2009. The increase was driven by an improvement in our cost of sales resulting from our lower year-over-year restructuring and related expenses, which had a favorable impact on gross margin of 0.1 percentage points, higher year-over-year OE production and aftermarket volumes and the related manufacturing efficiencies, which had a favorable impact on gross margin of 3.2 percentage points and material cost management, which had a favorable impact on gross margin of 0.4 percentage points. Partially offsetting these improvements were a higher mix of OE revenues with substrate sales, which had an unfavorable impact on gross margin of 1.2 percentage points, and various other items which in total had an unfavorable impact on gross margin of 0.9 percentage points.
 
Selling, general and administrative expense was up $51 million in the first three quarters of 2010, at $307 million, compared to $256 million in the first three quarters of 2009. Increased changeover costs due to new aftermarket business in North America, higher performance-based compensation costs, a charge related to an actuarial loss for a lump-sum pension payment and the cost reduction efforts from the first three quarters of 2009, which included employee furloughs and salary and benefit cuts that were subsequently restored, drove the increase in expense year-over-year. The first nine months of 2009 included $1 million in restructuring and related expense. Engineering expense was $90 million and $72 million in the first three quarters of 2010 and 2009, respectively. Increased spending related to diesel aftertreatment technology development, higher performance-based compensation costs and the cost reduction efforts, including employee furloughs and salary and benefit cuts, in the first three quarters of 2009 drove the increase in expense year-over-year. Selling, general, administrative and


40


 

engineering expenses decreased in the first nine months of 2010 to 9.1 percent of revenues from 9.9 percent of revenues in the first nine months of 2009 due to higher year-over-year revenues.
 
EBIT was $219 million for the first three quarters of 2010, up from $39 million in 2009. Higher OE production volumes globally and the related manufacturing efficiencies, higher aftermarket sales, decreased restructuring and related costs and $4 million of positive currency drove the year-over-year increase. Partially offsetting the increase was higher selling, general, administrative and engineering spending.
 
Results from Operations
 
Net Sales and Operating Revenues for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2010 and 2009
 
The following tables reflect our revenues for the third quarter of 2010 and 2009. We present these reconciliations of revenues in order to reflect the trend in our sales in various product lines and geographic regions separately from the effects of doing business in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. We have not reflected any currency impact in the 2009 table since this is the base period for measuring the effects of currency during 2010 on our operations. We believe investors find this information useful in understanding period-to-period comparisons in our revenues.
 
Additionally, we show the component of our revenue represented by substrate sales in the following tables. While we generally have primary design, engineering and manufacturing responsibility for OE emission control systems, we do not manufacture substrates. Substrates are porous ceramic filters coated with a catalyst — precious metals such as platinum, palladium and rhodium. These are supplied to us by Tier 2 suppliers and directed by our OE customers. We generally earn a small margin on these components of the system. As the need for more sophisticated emission control solutions increases to meet more stringent environmental regulations, and as we capture more diesel aftertreatment business, these substrate components have been increasing as a percentage of our revenue. While these substrates dilute our gross margin percentage, they are a necessary component of an emission control system. We view the growth of substrates as a key indicator that our value-add content in an emission control system is moving toward the higher technology hot-end gas and diesel business.
 
Our value-add content in an emission control system includes designing the system to meet environmental regulations through integration of the substrates into the system, maximizing use of thermal energy to heat up the catalyst quickly, efficiently managing airflow to reduce back pressure as the exhaust stream moves past the catalyst, managing the expansion and contraction of the emission control system components due to temperature extremes experienced by an emission control system, using advanced acoustic engineering tools to design the desired exhaust sound, minimizing the opportunity for the fragile components of the substrate to be damaged when we integrate it into the emission control system and reducing unwanted noise, vibration and harshness transmitted through the emission control system.


41


 

We present these substrate sales separately in the following tables because we believe investors utilize this information to understand the impact of this portion of our revenues on our overall business and because it removes the impact of potentially volatile precious metals pricing from our revenues. While our original equipment customers generally assume the risk of precious metals pricing volatility, it impacts our reported revenues. Excluding “substrate” catalytic converter and diesel particulate filter sales removes this impact.
 
                                         
    Three Months Ended September 30, 2010  
                      Substrate
    Revenues
 
                      Sales
    Excluding
 
                Revenues
    Excluding
    Currency and
 
          Currency
    Excluding
    Currency
    Substrate
 
    Revenues     Impact     Currency     Impact     Sales  
    (Millions)  
 
North America Original Equipment
                                       
Ride Control
  $ 133     $ 2     $ 131     $     $ 131  
Emission Control
    457       1       456       216       240  
                                         
Total North America Original Equipment
    590       3       587       216       371  
North America Aftermarket
                                       
Ride Control
    125             125             125  
Emission Control
    47             47             47  
                                         
Total North America Aftermarket
    172             172             172  
Total North America
    762       3       759       216       543  
Europe Original Equipment
                                       
Ride Control
    110       (10 )     120             120  
Emission Control
    270       (18 )     288       95       193  
                                         
Total Europe Original Equipment
    380       (28 )     408       95       313  
Europe Aftermarket
                                       
Ride Control
    50       (3 )     53             53  
Emission Control
    40       (3 )     43             43  
                                         
Total Europe Aftermarket
    90       (6 )     96             96  
South America & India
    143       4       139       23       116  
Total Europe, South America & India
    613       (30 )     643       118       525  
Asia
    127       1       126       26       100  
Australia
    40       4       36       3       33  
                                         
Total Asia Pacific
    167       5       162       29       133  
                                         
Total Tenneco
  $ 1,542     $ (22 )   $ 1,564     $ 363     $ 1,201  
                                         
 


42


 

                                         
    Three Months Ended September 30, 2009  
                      Substrate
    Revenues
 
                      Sales
    Excluding
 
                Revenues
    Excluding
    Currency and
 
          Currency
    Excluding
    Currency
    Substrate
 
    Revenues     Impact     Currency     Impact     Sales  
    (Millions)  
 
North America Original Equipment
                                       
Ride Control
  $ 107     $     $ 107     $     $ 107  
Emission Control
    321             321       147       174  
                                         
Total North America Original Equipment
    428               428       147       281  
North America Aftermarket
                                       
Ride Control
    110             110             110  
Emission Control
    40             40             40  
                                         
Total North America Aftermarket
    150               150             150  
Total North America
    578               578       147       431  
Europe Original Equipment
                                       
Ride Control
    107             107             107  
Emission Control
    235             235       73       162  
                                         
Total Europe Original Equipment
    342               342       73       269  
Europe Aftermarket
                                       
Ride Control
    50             50             50  
Emission Control
    46             46             46  
                                         
Total Europe Aftermarket
    96             96             96  
South America & India
    103             103       12       91  
Total Europe, South America & India
    541             541       85       456  
Asia
    102             102       21       81  
Australia
    33             33       2       31  
                                         
Total Asia Pacific
    135             135       23       112  
                                         
Total Tenneco
  $ 1,254     $     $ 1,254     $ 255     $ 999  
                                         
 

43


 

                                 
    Three Months Ended September 30, 2010
 
    Versus Three Months Ended September 30, 2009
 
    Dollar and Percent Increase (Decrease)  
                Revenues
       
                Excluding
       
                Currency and
       
                Substrate
       
    Revenues     Percent     Sales     Percent  
    (Millions Except Percent Amounts)  
 
North America Original Equipment
                               
Ride Control
  $ 26       25 %   $ 24       23 %
Emission Control
    136       42 %     66       38 %
                                 
Total North America Original Equipment
    162       38 %     90       32 %
North America Aftermarket
                               
Ride Control
    15       13 %     15       13 %
Emission Control
    7       20 %     7       19 %
                                 
Total North America Aftermarket
    22       15 %     22       14 %
Total North America
    184       32 %     112       26 %
Europe Original Equipment
                               
Ride Control
    3       3 %     13       12 %
Emission Control
    35       15 %     31       18 %
                                 
Total Europe Original Equipment
    38       11 %     44       16 %
Europe Aftermarket
                               
Ride Control
          1 %     3       7 %
Emission Control
    (6 )     (12 )%     (3 )     (4 )%
                                 
Total Europe Aftermarket
    (6 )     (5 )%           2 %
South America & India
    40       38 %     25       27 %
Total Europe, South America & India
    72       13 %     69       15 %
Asia
    25       25 %     19       24 %
Australia
    7       16 %     2       2 %
                                 
Total Asia Pacific
    32       23 %     21       18 %
                                 
Total Tenneco
  $ 288       23 %   $ 202       20 %
 
Light Vehicle Industry Production by Region (According to Global Insight, October 2010, Federation of Automotive Products Manufacturers for Australia production estimates, October 2010)
 
                                 
    Three Months
             
    Ended September 30,              
    2010     2009     Increase     % Increase  
    (Number of Vehicles in Thousands)  
 
North America
    2,948       2,351       597       25 %
Europe
    4,327       4,241       86       2 %
South America
    1,037       988       49       5 %
India
    848       640       208       32 %
                                 
Total Europe, South America & India
    6,212       5,869       343       6 %
China
    3,850       3,367       483       14 %
Australia
    59       56       3       6 %
 
North American light vehicle production increased 25 percent, while industry Class 8 commercial vehicle production was up 28 percent and industry Class 4-7 commercial vehicle production was up 23 percent in third quarter of 2010 as compared to the previous year’s comparable period. Revenues from our North American operations increased in the third quarter of 2010 compared to the same period last year due to higher sales from both North American OE business units and aftermarket sales in both product lines. The increase in North American OE

44


 

revenues was primarily driven by improved volumes which resulted in an increase in revenue of $156 million on Tenneco supplied vehicles such as the Ford F-150 and Super-Duty pick-ups, GM’s crossover models and the GMT900 platform. The increase in aftermarket revenues for North America was primarily due to higher sales volumes which resulted in a combined increase in revenue of $24 million for both product lines, which was driven by customer demand.
 
The third quarter total European light vehicle industry production was up two percent when compared to the third quarter of 2009. Our European, South American and Indian segment’s revenues increased in the third quarter of 2010 compared to last year, due to increased year-over-year sales in both Europe OE business units as well as in South America and India. Improved volumes due to our position on better-selling vehicles such as the Ford Focus, VW Polo, Opel Astra, Ford Mondeo and the Daimler Sprinter was the primary driver of our increased Europe OE revenues and resulted in an increase in revenue of $60 million, partially offset by a decrease of $28 million due to foreign currency. Excluding currency, European aftermarket revenues improved on higher ride control sales including an increase in heavy duty sales, mostly offset by lower emission control sales. Light vehicle production increased five percent in South America and 32 percent in India for the third quarter of 2010 when compared to the same quarter a year ago. South American and Indian revenues were higher for the third quarter of 2010 when compared to the prior year’s third quarter primarily due to stronger OE production volumes in both regions, which increased revenue by $33 million.
 
Industry light vehicle production increased 14 percent and 6 percent year-over-year in China and Australia, respectively. Revenues from our Asia Pacific segment, which includes Australia and Asia, increased due to higher sales in both regions. Asian revenues for the third quarter of 2010 improved from last year primarily due to strong production volumes which resulted in an increase in revenue of $25 million, particularly in China on key Tenneco-supplied GM, VW and Audi platforms. A $3 million impact on revenue due to stronger OE production volumes primarily drove the third quarter 2010 revenue increase for Australia over the third quarter of 2009.


45


 

Net Sales and Operating Revenues for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010 and 2009
 
                                         
    Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010  
                      Substrate
    Revenues
 
                      Sales
    Excluding
 
                Revenues
    Excluding
    Currency and
 
          Currency
    Excluding
    Currency
    Substrate
 
    Revenues     Impact     Currency     Impact     Sales  
    (Millions)  
 
North America Original Equipment
                                       
Ride Control
  $ 401     $ 10     $ 391     $     $ 391  
Emission Control
    1,200       6       1,194       532       662  
                                         
Total North America Original Equipment
    1,601       16       1,585       532       1,053  
North America Aftermarket
                                       
Ride Control
    376       3       373             373  
Emission Control
    128       2       126             126  
                                         
Total North America Aftermarket
    504       5       499             499  
Total North America
    2,105       21       2,084       532       1,552  
Europe Original Equipment
                                       
Ride Control
    340       (15 )     355             355  
Emission Control
    805       (22 )     827       262       565  
                                         
Total Europe Original Equipment
    1,145       (37 )     1,182       262       920  
Europe Aftermarket
                                       
Ride Control
    145       (5 )     150             150  
Emission Control
    108       (4 )     112             112  
                                         
Total Europe Aftermarket
    253       (9 )     262             262  
South America & India
    382       28       354       49       305  
Total Europe, South America & India
    1,780       (18 )     1,798       311       1,487  
Asia
    359       2       357       78       279  
Australia
    116       18       98       7       91  
                                         
Total Asia Pacific
    475       20       455       85       370  
                                         
Total Tenneco
  $ 4,360     $ 23     $ 4,337     $ 928     $ 3,409  
                                         
 


46


 

                                         
    Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009  
                      Substrate
    Revenues
 
                      Sales
    Excluding
 
                Revenues
    Excluding
    Currency and
 
          Currency
    Excluding
    Currency
    Substrate
 
    Revenues     Impact     Currency     Impact     Sales  
    (Millions)  
 
North America Original Equipment
                                       
Ride Control
  $ 269     $     $ 269     $     $ 269  
Emission Control
    810             810       370       440  
                                         
Total North America Original Equipment
    1,079               1,079       370       709  
North America Aftermarket
                                       
Ride Control
    318             318             318  
Emission Control
    118             118             118  
                                         
Total North America Aftermarket
    436               436             436  
Total North America
    1,515               1,515       370       1,145  
Europe Original Equipment
                                       
Ride Control
    304             304             304  
Emission Control
    645             645       202       443  
                                         
Total Europe Original Equipment
    949               949       202       747  
Europe Aftermarket
                                       
Ride Control
    137             137             137  
Emission Control
    120             120             120  
                                         
Total Europe Aftermarket
    257             257             257  
South America & India
    261             261       33       228  
Total Europe, South America & India
    1,467             1,467       235       1,232  
Asia
    257             257       59       198  
Australia
    88             88       7       81  
                                         
Total Asia Pacific
    345             345       66       279  
                                         
Total Tenneco
  $ 3,327     $     $ 3,327     $ 671     $ 2,656  
                                         
 

47


 

                                 
    Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010
 
    Versus Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009
 
    Dollar and Percent Increase (Decrease)  
                Revenues
       
                Excluding
       
                Currency and
       
                Substrate
       
    Revenues     Percent     Sales     Percent  
    (Millions Except Percent Amounts)  
 
North America Original Equipment
                               
Ride Control
  $ 132       49 %   $ 122       46 %
Emission Control
    390       48 %     222       51 %
                                 
Total North America Original Equipment
    522       48 %     344       49 %
North America Aftermarket
                               
Ride Control
    58       18 %     55       17 %
Emission Control
    10       9 %     8       7 %
                                 
Total North America Aftermarket
    68       16 %     63       14 %
Total North America
    590       39 %     407       36 %
Europe Original Equipment
                               
Ride Control
    36       12 %     51       17 %
Emission Control
    160       25 %     122       27 %
                                 
Total Europe Original Equipment
    196       21 %     173       23 %
Europe Aftermarket
                               
Ride Control
    8       6 %     13       10 %
Emission Control
    (12 )     (10 )%     (8 )     (6 )%
                                 
Total Europe Aftermarket
    (4 )     (1 )%     5       2 %
South America & India
    121       46 %     77       33 %
Total Europe, South America & India
    313       21 %     255       21 %
Asia
    102       40 %     81       41 %
Australia
    28       30 %     10       12 %
                                 
Total Asia Pacific
    130       37 %     91       33 %
                                 
Total Tenneco
  $ 1,033       31 %   $ 753       28 %
                                 
 
Light Vehicle Industry Production by Region (According to Global Insight, October 2010, Federation of Automotive Products Manufacturers for Australia production estimates, October 2010)
 
                                 
    Nine Months Ended September 30,              
    2010     2009     Increase     % Increase  
    (Number of Vehicles in Thousands)  
 
North America
    8,925       5,821       3,104       53 %
Europe
    14,303       12,141       2,162       18 %
South America
    2,969       2,658       311       12 %
India
    2,366       1,727       639       37 %
                                 
Total Europe, South America & India
    19,638       16,526       3,112       19 %
China
    11,995       8,942       3,053       34 %
Australia
    189       153       36       24 %
 
The North American light vehicle production rate increased 53 percent for the first three quarters of 2010 compared to the same period last year. Industry Class 8 commercial vehicle production was up 32 percent and industry Class 4-7 commercial vehicle production was up 22 percent in the first nine months of 2010 as compared to the prior year’s comparable period. Revenues from our North American operations increased in both OE business units as well as both aftermarket product lines. North American OE revenues were up primarily due to significantly higher light vehicle OE production, as mentioned in the three month discussion above. This increase in production

48


 

resulted in a $546 million increase in revenue, partially offset by unfavorable platform mix which caused revenue to fall $31 million year-over-year. Aftermarket revenues excluding currency for North America increased primarily due to improved year-over-year volumes, which resulted in an increase in revenues of $65 million, driven by customer demand and sales to new customers.
 
The European light vehicle industry production for the first nine months of 2010 increased 18 percent from the first nine months of 2009. European, South American and Indian segment’s revenues increased in both European business units as well as in South America and India. Our total Europe OE revenues were up in the first three quarters of 2010 when compared to the first three quarters of 2009, as a result of improved volumes which was driven by our content on strong selling vehicles. The impact on Europe OE revenues due to this volume increase was $218 million year-over-year partially offset by $37 million of unfavorable currency. Excluding currency, European aftermarket revenues increased year-over-year due to higher ride control sales partially offset by emission control sales. The increase in light vehicle industry production for South America and India was 12 percent and 37 percent respectively. The increase in South American and Indian revenues was driven by higher aftermarket sales in South America and higher OE production volumes in both regions.
 
In China and Australia, light vehicle industry production increased 34 percent and 24 percent, respectively, for the first three quarters of 2010 when compared to the first three quarters of 2009. Revenues from our Asia Pacific segment increased in both regions, Asia and Australia, for the first nine months of this year when compared to the same period of last year. Asian revenues increased during the first three quarters of 2010 when compared to the first three quarters of 2009 primarily due to strong OE volumes, which resulted in a revenue increase of $104 million, particularly in China on Tenneco-supplied GM, VW and Audi platforms. Australian revenues increased in the first nine months of 2010 over the prior year comparable period primarily due to higher OE production volumes which resulted in an $13 million increase in revenue.
 
EBIT for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2010 and 2009
 
                         
    Three Months
    Three Months
       
    Ended
    Ended
       
    September 30,
    September 30,
       
    2010     2009     Change  
    (Millions)  
 
North America
  $ 42     $ 17     $ 25  
Europe, South America & India
    15       10       5  
Asia Pacific
    10       8       2  
                         
    $ 67     $ 35     $ 32  
                         
 
The EBIT results shown in the preceding table include the following items, certain of which are discussed below under “Restructuring and Other Charges,” which have an effect on the comparability of EBIT results between periods:
 
                 
    Three Months
 
    Ended
 
    September 30,  
    2010     2009  
    (Millions)  
 
North America
               
Restructuring and related expenses
  $ 5     $ 11  
Pension Charge(1)
    4        
Asia Pacific
               
Restructuring and related expenses
    1        
 
 
(1) Represents a charge related to an actuarial loss for a lump-sum pension payment in a non-qualified pension plan in which one current and three former employees were participants. Lump-sum pension payments are required when participants retire or when they turn 55. One former employee turned 55 in the current year third quarter. Another former employee will turn 55 in the fourth quarter which will result in an additional $2 million charge at that time.


49


 

 
EBIT for North American operations was $42 million in the third quarter of 2010, compared to $17 million one year ago. Significantly higher OE production volumes, the related manufacturing efficiencies and improved aftermarket revenues drove the year-over year increase. This increase in EBIT was partially offset by higher selling, general, administrative and engineering costs, which included higher performance-based compensation costs, the restoration of salary and benefit cuts which were in place in the third quarter of 2009, and a charge of $4 million related to an actuarial loss for a lump-sum pension payment. Currency had a $1 million favorable impact on North American EBIT. Restructuring and related expenses of $5 million were included in the third quarter of 2010. Restructuring and related expenses of $11 million were included in the third quarter of 2009.
 
Our European, South American and Indian segment’s EBIT was $15 million for the third quarter of 2010 compared to $10 million during the same period last year. European, South American and Indian segment’s EBIT benefited from improved volumes, the related manufacturing efficiencies and material cost management. Higher selling, general, administrative and engineering expenses partially offset these improvements. Currency had a $2 million unfavorable impact on European, South American and Indian segment’s EBIT.
 
EBIT for our Asia Pacific segment in the third quarter of 2010 was $10 million compared to $8 million in the third quarter of 2009. Higher production volumes and the related manufacturing efficiencies were the primary drivers of the EBIT increase year-over-year. Increased selling, general and administrative expenses partially offset the EBIT improvement. Included in third quarter 2010 Asia Pacific segment’s EBIT was $1 million in restructuring and related expenses.
 
Currency had a $1 million unfavorable impact on overall company EBIT for the three months ended September 30, 2010, as compared to the prior year.
 
EBIT as a Percentage of Revenue
 
                 
    Three Months
 
    Ended
 
    September 30,  
    2010     2009  
 
North America
    6 %     3 %
Europe, South America & India
    2 %     2 %
Asia Pacific
    6 %     6 %
Total Tenneco
    4 %     3 %
 
In North America, EBIT as a percentage of revenue for the third quarter of 2010 was up three percentage points when compared to last year. The increase in EBIT from higher OE production volumes and the related manufacturing efficiencies, favorable currency, decreased restructuring and related charges and higher aftermarket sales was partially offset as a percentage of revenue by higher selling, general, administrative and engineering expenses, including a pension charge for an actuarial loss for a lump-sum pension payment. In Europe, South America and India, EBIT margin for the third quarter of 2010 was even with prior year. Improved volumes and material cost management actions were offset by unfavorable currency and increased selling, general, administrative and engineering expenses. EBIT as a percentage of revenue for our Asia Pacific segment was the same in the third quarter of 2010 as the third quarter of 2009. Higher volumes and the related manufacturing efficiencies were offset by increased selling, general, administrative and engineering costs and higher restructuring and related expenses.
 
EBIT for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010 and 2009
 
                         
    Nine Months
    Nine Months
       
    Ended
    Ended
       
    September 30,
    September 30,
       
    2010     2009     Change  
    (Millions)  
 
North America
  $ 128     $ 27     $ 101  
Europe, South America & India
    57       (1 )     58  
Asia Pacific
    34       13       21  
                         
    $ 219     $ 39     $ 180  
                         


50


 

The EBIT results shown in the preceding table include the following items, certain of which are discussed below under “Restructuring and Other Charges,” which have an effect on the comparability of EBIT results between periods:
 
                 
    Nine Months
 
    Ended
 
    September 30,  
    2010     2009  
    (Millions)  
 
North America
               
Restructuring and related expenses
  $ 12     $ 14  
Pension Charge(1)
    4        
Environmental reserve(2)
          5  
Europe, South America & India
               
Restructuring and related expenses
    2       3  
Asia Pacific
               
Restructuring and related expenses
    1        
 
 
(1) Represents a charge related to an actuarial loss for a lump-sum pension payment.
 
(2) Represents a reserve related to environmental liabilities of a company Tenneco acquired in 1996, at locations never operated by Tenneco, and for which that acquired company had been indemnified by Mark IV Industries, which declared bankruptcy in the second quarter of 2009.
 
EBIT from North American operations increased to $128 million in the first nine months of 2010, from $27 million one year ago. The benefits to EBIT from significantly higher OE production volumes, the related manufacturing efficiencies and improved aftermarket revenues were partially offset by higher selling, general, administrative and engineering costs, which included increased aftermarket changeover costs related to new aftermarket business, higher performance-based compensation costs, a charge of $4 million related to an actuarial loss for a lump-sum pension payment and the cost reduction efforts from the first three quarters of 2009, which included employee furloughs and salary and benefit cuts that were subsequently restored. Currency had a $10 million favorable impact on North American EBIT for the first nine months of 2010 when compared to the first nine months of 2009. Restructuring and related expenses of $12 million were included in the first three quarters of 2010 compared to $14 million of restructuring and related expenses and an environmental reserve charge of $5 million in the first nine months of 2009.
 
Our European, South American and Indian segment’s EBIT was $57 million for the first nine months of 2010 compared to a loss of $1 million during the same period last year. The increase was driven by higher OE production volumes and the related manufacturing efficiencies, favorable platform mix in Europe and material cost management activities. Increased selling, general, administrative and engineering costs partially offset the increase. Restructuring and related expenses of $2 million were included in EBIT for the first nine months of 2010, versus $3 million from the same period last year. Currency had a $6 million unfavorable impact on the first nine months’ EBIT of 2010.
 
EBIT for our Asia Pacific segment in the first nine months of 2010 was $34 million compared to $13 million in the first nine months of 2009. Higher volumes and the related manufacturing efficiencies drove the EBIT improvement. This increase was partially offset by increased selling, general, administrative and engineering costs.
 
Currency had a $4 million favorable impact on overall company EBIT for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, as compared to the prior year.


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EBIT as a Percentage of Revenue
 
                 
    Nine Months
 
    Ended
 
    September 30,  
    2010     2009  
 
North America
    6 %     2 %
Europe, South America & India
    3 %      
Asia Pacific
    7 %     4 %
Total Tenneco
    5 %     1 %
 
In North America, EBIT as a percentage of revenue for the first nine months of 2010 was up four percentage points when compared to last year. The increase in EBIT from higher OE production volumes and the related manufacturing efficiencies, decreased restructuring and related charges, higher aftermarket sales and favorable currency was partially offset as a percentage of revenue by higher selling, general, administrative and engineering expenses, including higher aftermarket changeover costs and a charge for an actuarial loss for a lump-sum pension payment. In Europe, South America and India, EBIT margin for the first three quarters of 2010 was three percentage points higher than prior year due to improved volumes, the related manufacturing efficiencies, lower restructuring and related expenses, favorable platform mix and material cost management actions, partially offset by unfavorable currency and increased selling, general, administrative and engineering expenses. EBIT as a percentage of revenue for our Asia Pacific segment increased three percentage points in the first nine months of 2010 versus the prior year as higher volumes and the related manufacturing efficiencies were partially offset by increased selling, general, administrative and engineering expenses.
 
Interest Expense, Net of Interest Capitalized
 
We reported interest expense in the third quarter of 2010 of $36 million net of interest capitalized of $1 million ($33 million in our U.S. operations and $3 million in our foreign operations), up from $35 million net of interest capitalized of $1 million ($33 million in our U.S. operations and $2 million in our foreign operations) from the third quarter of 2009. Included in the third quarter of 2010 was $5 million of expense related to refinancing our senior secured notes. Also, included in the third quarter of 2010 was $1 million of expense for factored receivables in North America. Excluding the refinancing expenses, interest expense decreased in the third quarter of 2010 compared to the prior year as a result of our lower average borrowings due to our operating cash performance and last year’s equity offering.
 
We reported interest expense for the first three quarters of 2010 of $100 million net of interest capitalized of $3 million ($95 million in our U.S. operations and $5 million in our foreign operations), down from $101 million net of interest capitalized of $3 million ($98 million in our U.S. operations and $3 million in our foreign operations) a year ago. Included in the first nine months of 2010 was $6 million of costs related to our refinancing activities.
 
On September 30, 2010, we had $989 million in long-term debt obligations that have fixed interest rates. Of that amount, $225 million is fixed through August 2018, $500 million is fixed through November 2014, $250 million is fixed through November 2015, and the remainder is fixed from 2010 through 2025. We also had $241 million in long-term debt obligations that are subject to variable interest rates. For more detailed explanations on our debt structure and senior credit facility refer to “Liquidity and Capital Resources — Capitalization” later in this Management’s Discussion and Analysis.
 
Income Taxes
 
We reported income tax expense of $15 million in the third quarter of 2010. The tax expense recorded differs from a statutory rate of 35 percent because of tax expenses of $4 million primarily related to the impact of recording a valuation allowance against our tax benefit for losses in certain foreign jurisdictions. We reported income tax expense of $4 million in the third quarter of 2009. The tax expense recorded differs from a statutory rate of 35 percent because of a $4 million charge primarily related to the impact of not benefiting tax losses in the U.S. and certain foreign jurisdictions.


52


 

Income tax expense was $45 million for the first nine months of 2010, compared to $18 million for the first nine months of 2009. The tax expense recorded for the first nine months of 2010 differs from a statutory rate of 35 percent because of tax expenses of $3 million primarily related to income generated in lower tax rate jurisdictions as well as adjustments to tax estimates, which were more than offset by non-cash tax charges related to adjustments to prior year income tax estimates and the impact of not benefiting tax losses in the U.S. and certain foreign jurisdictions. The tax expense recorded for the first nine months of 2009 was $18 million. The tax expense recorded differs from a statutory rate of 35 percent due to $40 million in tax charges primarily related to the impact of not benefiting tax losses in the U.S. and certain foreign jurisdictions.
 
Restructuring and Other Charges
 
Over the past several years, we have adopted plans to restructure portions of our operations. These plans were approved by our Board of Directors and were designed to reduce operational and administrative overhead costs throughout the business. Our Board of Directors approved a restructuring project in 2001, known as Project Genesis, which was designed to lower our fixed costs, relocate capacity, reduce our work force, improve efficiency and utilization, and better optimize our global footprint. We have subsequently engaged in various other restructuring projects related to Project Genesis. In 2009, we incurred $21 million in restructuring and related costs, of which $16 million was recorded in cost of sales, $1 million was recorded in selling, general, administrative and engineering expense and $4 million was recorded in depreciation and amortization expense. In the third quarter of 2010, we incurred $6 million in restructuring and related costs, of which $3 million was recorded in cost of sales and $3 million was recorded in depreciation and amortization expense. In the first nine months of 2010, we incurred $15 million in restructuring and related costs, of which $10 million was recorded in cost of sales and $5 million was recorded in depreciation and amortization expense.
 
Amounts related to activities that are part of our restructuring plans are as follows:
 
                                         
    December 31,
              September 30,
    2009
  2010
  Impact of
      2010
    Restructuring
  Cash
  Exchange
  Reserve
  Restructuring
(Millions)
  Reserve   Payments   Rates   Adjustments   Reserve
 
Severance
  $ 15       (6 )           (1 )   $ 8  
 
Under the terms of our amended and extended senior credit agreement that took effect on June 3, 2010, we are allowed to exclude $60 million of cash charges and expenses, before taxes, related to cost reduction initiatives incurred after June 3, 2010 from the calculation of the financial covenant ratios required under our senior credit facility. As of September 30, 2010, we have excluded $5 million in cumulative allowable charges relating to restructuring initiatives against the $60 million available under the terms of the February 2010 amended and restated senior credit facility.
 
On September 22, 2009, we announced that we will be closing our original equipment ride control plant in Cozad, Nebraska. We estimate this closing will generate $8 million in annualized cost savings once completed, incremental to the $58 million of savings related to our October 2008 restructuring announcement. We expect the elimination of 500 positions at the Cozad plant and expect to record up to $20 million in restructuring and related expenses, of which approximately $14 million represents cash expenditures. We originally planned to have completed the closing of this facility by the end of 2010, however, as a result of the faster than expected increase in light vehicle production in North America and to better optimize the transfer of some of the manufacturing activities, we plan to continue certain production lines through the first half of 2011. We plan to hire at other facilities as we move the production from Cozad to those facilities, resulting in a net decrease of approximately 60 positions. During 2009 we recorded $11 million of restructuring and related expenses related to this initiative. For the third quarter of 2010, we recorded $3 million of restructuring and related expenses related to this initiative. For the first nine months of 2010, we recorded $8 million of restructuring and related expenses related to this initiative.
 
Earnings (Loss) Per Share
 
We reported net income attributable to Tenneco Inc. of $10 million or $0.17 per diluted common share for the third quarter of 2010, as compared to a net loss attributable to Tenneco Inc. of $8 million or $0.17 per diluted


53


 

common share for the third quarter of 2009. Included in the results for the third quarter of 2010 were negative impacts from expenses related to our restructuring activities, a pension charge, costs related to debt refinancing and tax adjustments. The net impact of these items decreased earnings per diluted common share by $0.22. Included in the results for the third quarter of 2009 were negative impacts from expenses related to our restructuring activities and tax adjustments. The net impact of these items decreased earnings per diluted common share by $0.24. Please read the Notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements for more detailed information on earnings per share.
 
We reported net income attributable to Tenneco Inc. of $57 million or $0.94 per diluted common share for the first three quarters of 2010, as compared to net loss attributable to Tenneco Inc. of $90 million or $1.93 per diluted common share for the first three quarters of 2009. Included in the results for the first three quarters of 2010 were negative impacts from expenses related to our restructuring activities, a pension charge, costs related to debt refinancing and tax adjustments. The net impact of these items decreased earnings per diluted common share by $0.33. Included in the results for the first three quarters of 2009 were negative impacts from expenses related to our restructuring activities, an environmental reserve and tax adjustments. The net impact of these items decreased earnings per diluted common share by $1.17.
 
Cash Flows for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2010 and 2009
 
                 
    Three Months
    Three Months
 
    Ended
    Ended
 
    September 30,
    September 30,
 
    2010     2009  
    (Millions)  
 
Cash provided (used) by:
               
Operating activities
  $ 17     $ 77  
Investing activities
    (35 )     (19 )
Financing activities
    44       (48 )
 
Operating Activities
 
For the three months ended September 30, 2010, operating activities provided $17 million in cash compared to $77 million in cash provided during the same period last year. For the three months ended September 30, 2010, working capital was a use of cash of $69 million versus $26 million cash provided for the three months ended September 30, 2009. Receivables were a use of cash of $81 million compared to a use of cash of $67 million in the prior year due to higher revenues year-over-year. Inventory was a use of cash of $52 million in the third quarter of 2010 versus $9 million cash provided from the third quarter of last year, driven by higher year-over-year production volumes. Accounts payable provided cash of $33 million compared to last year’s cash inflow of $92 million. Cash taxes were $18 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010, compared to $20 million in the prior year. Our overall cash flow from operations in the third quarter of 2010 was impacted by an increase in sales which drove the use of cash for accounts receivables and inventories.
 
One of our European subsidiaries receives payment from one of its OE customers whereby the accounts receivable are satisfied through the delivery of negotiable financial instruments. We may collect these financial instruments before their maturity date by either selling them at a discount or using them to satisfy accounts receivable that have previously been sold to a European bank. Any of these financial instruments which are not sold are classified as other current assets as they do not meet the definition of cash equivalents. The amount of these financial instruments that was collected before their maturity date and sold at a discount totaled $1 million and $5 million at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively. No negotiable financial instruments were held by our European subsidiary as of September 30, 2010 or December 31, 2009, respectively.
 
In certain instances several of our Chinese subsidiaries receive payment from OE customers and satisfy vendor payments through the receipt and delivery of negotiable financial instruments. Financial instruments used to satisfy vendor payables and not redeemed totaled $14 million and $15 million at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively, and were classified as notes payable. Financial instruments received from OE customers and not redeemed totaled $21 million and $15 million at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively. We


54


 

classify financial instruments received from our OE customers as other current assets if issued by a financial institution of our customers or as customer notes and accounts, net if issued by our customer. At September 30, 2010, we classified $20 million in other current assets and $1 million in customer notes and accounts, net. At December 31, 2009, we classified $15 million in other current assets. Some of our Chinese subsidiaries that issue their own negotiable financial instruments to pay vendors are required to maintain a cash balance if they exceed certain credit limits with the financial institution that guarantees those financial instruments. A restricted cash balance was not required at those Chinese subsidiaries at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively.
 
The negotiable financial instruments received by one of our European subsidiaries and some of our Chinese subsidiaries are checks drawn by our OE customers and guaranteed by their banks that are payable at a future date. The use of these instruments for payment follows local commercial practice. Because negotiable financial instruments are financial obligations of our customers and are guaranteed by our customers’ banks, we believe they represent a lower financial risk than the outstanding accounts receivable that they satisfy which are not guaranteed by a bank.
 
Investing Activities
 
Cash used for investing activities was $35 million in the third quarter of 2010 compared to $19 million in the same period a year ago. Cash payments for plant, property and equipment were $33 million in the third quarter of 2010 versus payments of $20 million in the third quarter of 2009. Cash payments for software-related intangible assets were $3 million in the third quarter of 2010 compared to $1 million in the third quarter of 2009.
 
Financing Activities
 
Cash flow from financing activities was a $44 million inflow in the third quarter of 2010 compared to an outflow of $48 million in the same period of 2009. Increased borrowings from our revolving credit facility drove the cash flow increase.
 
Cash Flows for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010 and 2009
 
                 
    Nine Months
    Nine Months
 
    Ended
    Ended
 
    September 30,
    September 30,
 
    2010     2009  
    (Millions)  
 
Cash provided (used) by:
               
Operating activities
  $ 64     $ 108  
Investing activities
    (112 )     (86 )
Financing activities
    64       (21 )
 
Operating Activities
 
For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, operating activities provided $64 million in cash compared to $108 million in cash during the same period last year. For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, cash used for working capital was $178 million versus $10 million provided for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. Receivables were a use of cash of $374 million compared to a cash use of $124 million in the prior year. The change in cash flow from receivables was partially due to higher year-over-year sales. Also impacting cash flow from receivables was the change in accounting in the first quarter of 2010. This accounting change requires that North America accounts receivable securitization programs be accounted for as secured borrowings rather than as a sale of accounts receivables. As a result, funding from the North America accounts receivable securitization program is included in net cash provided by financing activities on the statement of cash flows and was previously reflected in net cash used by operating activities. See “Liquidity and Capital Resources” below for further discussion of the accounting change. Inventory represented a cash outflow of $123 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2010, compared to a cash inflow of $76 million in the first nine months of the prior year. The year-over-year change to cash flow from inventory was primarily a result of the higher OE production levels. Accounts payable provided cash of $265 million in the first nine months of 2010, compared to $56 million in the


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first nine months of the prior year. Cash taxes were $42 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, compared to $32 million in the prior year.
 
Investing Activities
 
Cash used for investing activities was $112 million in the first nine months of 2010 compared to $86 million in cash used for the same period a year ago. Cash payments for plant, property and equipment were $105 million in the first nine months of 2010 versus payments of $86 million in the first nine months of 2009. Cash payments for software-related intangible assets were $11 million in the first nine months of 2010 compared to $5 million in the first nine months of 2009.
 
Financing Activities
 
Cash flow from financing activities was a $64 million inflow in the first nine months of 2010 compared to an outflow of $21 million in the same period of 2009. As mentioned above in the “Operating Activities” section of this cash flow discussion, cash flow from financing activities was impacted by the accounting change for the way we account for our North American accounts receivable securitization programs. At September 30, 2010, there were no borrowings outstanding under the North American accounts receivable securitization programs.
 
Outlook
 
The industry continues to recover overall, but according to IHS Automotive’s light vehicle production estimates for the fourth quarter the recovery is uneven in the different geographic regions of the world. IHS Automotive estimates that light vehicle production in the fourth quarter of 2010, versus last year’s fourth quarter, is projected to be up three percent in North America, 32 percent in India, relatively even in China, but down two percent in South America and down five percent in Europe.
 
Our revenue growth has been driven by production volume recovery, expanding business in fast-growing vehicle markets, emissions regulations, our strong position on many top-selling vehicle platforms, increased light vehicle content for both ride and emission control products, advanced technologies and demand for lightweight components. In addition, we are launching programs with 11 different commercial vehicle customers through 2011 to meet diesel emissions regulations in China, North America, Europe and South America. We began launching these programs in the fourth quarter of last year and will continue to ramp up over the course of 2011.
 
While the pace of the economic and industry recovery continues to vary by region, we believe we are well positioned globally. We expect to continue to benefit from our technology-driven growth, our lower cost structure and operational improvements achieved over the last year and our strengthening balance sheet. Our execution of these strategies should continue to drive our success in capturing future growth opportunities.
 
Critical Accounting Policies
 
We prepare our condensed consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Preparing our condensed consolidated financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the condensed consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The following paragraphs include a discussion of some critical areas where estimates are required.
 
Revenue Recognition
 
We recognize revenue for sales to our original equipment and aftermarket customers when title and risk of loss passes to the customers under the terms of our arrangements with those customers, which is usually at the time of shipment from our plants or distribution centers. Generally, in connection with the sale of exhaust systems to certain original equipment manufacturers, we purchase catalytic converters and diesel particulate filters or components thereof including precious metals (“substrates”) on behalf of our customers which are used in the assembled system. These substrates are included in our inventory and “passed through” to the customer at our cost, plus a small margin,


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since we take title to the inventory and are responsible for both the delivery and quality of the finished product. Revenues recognized for substrate sales were $922 million, and $671 million for the first nine months of 2010 and 2009, respectively. For our aftermarket customers, we provide for promotional incentives and returns at the time of sale. Estimates are based upon the terms of the incentives and historical experience with returns. Certain taxes assessed by governmental authorities on revenue producing transactions, such as value added taxes, are excluded from revenue and recorded on a net basis. Shipping and handling costs billed to customers are included in revenues and the related costs are included in cost of sales in our Statements of Income (Loss).
 
Warranty Reserves
 
Where we have offered product warranty, we also provide for warranty costs. Those estimates are based upon historical experience and upon specific warranty issues as they arise. While we have not experienced any material differences between these estimates and our actual costs, it is reasonably possible that future warranty issues could arise that could have a significant impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
Pre-production Design and Development and Tooling Assets
 
We expense pre-production design and development costs as incurred unless we have a contractual guarantee for reimbursement from the original equipment customer. Unbilled pre-production design and development costs recorded in prepayments and other and long-term receivables totaled $17 and $14 million at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively. In addition, plant, property and equipment included $39 million and $49 million at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively, for original equipment tools and dies that we own, and prepayments and other included $54 million and $50 million at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively, for in-process tools and dies that we are building for our original equipment customers.
 
Income Taxes
 
We evaluate our deferred income taxes quarterly to determine if valuation allowances are required or should be adjusted. U.S. GAAP requires that companies assess whether valuation allowances should be established against their deferred tax assets based on consideration of all available evidence, both positive and negative, using a “more likely than not” standard. This assessment considers, among other matters, the nature, frequency and amount of recent losses, the duration of statutory carryforward periods, and tax planning strategies. In making such judgments, significant weight is given to evidence that can be objectively verified.
 
Valuation allowances have been established for deferred tax assets based on a “more likely than not” threshold. The ability to realize deferred tax assets depends on our ability to generate sufficient taxable income within the carryforward periods provided for in the tax law for each tax jurisdiction. We have considered the following possible sources of taxable income when assessing the realization of our deferred tax assets:
 
  •  Future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences;
 
  •  Taxable income or loss, based on recent results, exclusive of reversing temporary differences and carryforwards; and
 
  •  Tax-planning strategies.
 
We reported income tax expense of $45 million in the first nine months of 2010. The tax expense recorded differs from the expense that would be recorded using a U.S. Federal statutory rate of 35 percent because the impact of not benefiting tax losses in the U.S. and certain foreign jurisdictions and charges primarily related to adjustments to prior year income tax estimates more than offset a favorable mix of tax rates in the jurisdictions we pay taxes. During the first nine months of 2010, we recorded a $52 million reduction in our valuation allowance related to the utilization of U.S. NOLs resulting from a reorganization of our European operations. The amount recorded is an estimate that can not be finalized until year end. The estimated amount recorded does not impact the tax rate. In evaluating the requirements to record a valuation allowance, accounting standards do not permit us to consider an economic recovery in the U.S. or new business we have won. Consequently, beginning in 2008, given our historical losses, we concluded that our ability to fully utilize our NOLs was limited due to projecting the continuation of the negative economic environment and the impact of the negative operating environment on our tax planning


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strategies. As a result of our tax planning strategies which have not yet been implemented and which do not depend upon generating future taxable income, we carry deferred tax assets in the U.S. of $90 million relating to the expected utilization of those NOLs. The federal NOLs expire beginning in tax years ending in 2020 through 2029. The state NOLs expire in various tax years through 2029.
 
If our operating performance improves on a sustained basis, our conclusion regarding the need for a valuation allowance could change, resulting in the reversal of some or all of the valuation allowance in the future. The charge to establish the U.S. valuation allowance also includes items related to the losses allocable to certain state jurisdictions where it was determined that tax attributes related to those jurisdictions were potentially not realizable.
 
We are required to record a valuation allowance against deferred tax assets generated by taxable losses in each period in the U.S. as well as in other foreign jurisdictions. Our future provision for income taxes will include no tax benefit with respect to losses incurred and no tax expense with respect to income generated in these jurisdictions until the respective valuation allowance is eliminated. This will cause variability in our effective tax rate.
 
Goodwill
 
We evaluate goodwill for impairment in the fourth quarter of each year, or more frequently if events indicate it is warranted. We compare the estimated fair value of our reporting units with goodwill to the carrying value of the unit’s assets and liabilities to determine if impairment exists within the recorded balance of goodwill. We estimate the fair value of each reporting unit using the income approach which is based on the present value of estimated future cash flows. The income approach is dependent on a number of factors, including estimates of market trends, forecasted revenues and expenses, capital expenditures, weighted average cost of capital and other variables. These estimates are based on assumptions that we believe to be reasonable, but which are inherently uncertain.
 
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits
 
We have various defined benefit pension plans that cover some of our employees. We also have postretirement health care and life insurance plans that cover some of our domestic employees. Our pension and postretirement health care and life insurance expenses and valuations are dependent on assumptions used by our actuaries in calculating those amounts. These assumptions include discount rates, health care cost trend rates, long-term return on plan assets, retirement rates, mortality rates and other factors. Health care cost trend rate assumptions are developed based on historical cost data and an assessment of likely long-term trends. Retirement rates are based primarily on actual plan experience while mortality rates are based upon the general population experience which is not expected to differ materially from our experience.
 
Our approach to establishing the discount rate assumption for both our domestic and foreign plans starts with high-quality investment-grade bonds adjusted for an incremental yield based on actual historical performance. This incremental yield adjustment is the result of selecting securities whose yields are higher than the “normal” bonds that comprise the index. Based on this approach, for 2010 we lowered the weighted average discount rate for all our pension plans to 6.0 percent from 6.2 percent. The discount rate for postretirement benefits was also lowered from 6.2 percent to 6.1 percent for 2010.
 
Our approach to determining expected return on plan asset assumptions evaluates both historical returns as well as estimates of future returns, and is adjusted for any expected changes in the long-term outlook for the equity and fixed income markets. As a result, our estimate of the weighted average long-term rate of return on plan assets for all of our pension plans was lowered from 7.9 percent to 7.6 percent for 2010.
 
Except in the U.K., our pension plans generally do not require employee contributions. Our policy is to fund our pension plans in accordance with applicable U.S. and foreign government regulations and to make additional payments as funds are available to achieve full funding of the accumulated benefit obligation. At September 30, 2010, all legal funding requirements had been met. In September 2010, we recognized a charge of $4 million related to an actuarial loss for a lump-sum pension payment to a former employee. In the fourth quarter of 2010, we expect to recognize an additional $2 million charge related to a lump-sum pension payment. Other postretirement benefit obligations, such as retiree medical, and certain foreign pension plans are funded as the obligations become due.


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Changes in Accounting Pronouncements
 
Footnote 12 in our Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements located in Part I Item 1 of this Form 10-Q is incorporated herein by reference.
 
Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
Capitalization
 
                         
    September 30,
    December 31,
       
    2010     2009     % Change  
    (Millions)  
 
Short-term debt and maturities classified as current
  $ 70     $ 75       (7 )%
Long-term debt
    1,227       1,145       7  
                         
Total debt
    1,297       1,220       6  
                         
Total redeemable noncontrolling interests
    10       7       43  
                         
Total noncontrolling interests
    33       32       3  
                         
Tenneco Inc. shareholders’ equity
    5       (21 )     n/m  
                         
Total equity
    38       11       245  
                         
Total capitalization
  $ 1,345     $ 1,238       9  
                         
 
General.  Short-term debt, which includes maturities classified as current and borrowings by foreign subsidiaries, was $70 million and $75 million as of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively. Borrowings under our revolving credit facilities, which are classified as long-term debt, were $86 million and $0 at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively.
 
The 2010 year-to-date increase in total equity primarily resulted from net income attributable to Tenneco Inc. of $57 million, a $8 million increase in premium on common stock and other capital surplus relating to common stock issued pursuant to benefit plans, a $6 million increase in additional liability for pension and postretirement benefits, offset by a $34 million decrease caused by the impact of changes in foreign exchange rates on the translation of financial statements of our foreign subsidiaries into U.S. dollars and a net decrease in premium on common stock and other capital surplus relating to a $11 million purchase of an additional 20 percent of equity interest from a Chinese noncontrolling joint venture partner.
 
Overview.  Our financing arrangements are primarily provided by a committed senior secured financing arrangement with a syndicate of banks and other financial institutions. The arrangement is secured by substantially all our domestic assets and pledges of up to 66 percent of the stock of certain first-tier foreign subsidiaries, as well as guarantees by our material domestic subsidiaries.
 
On August 3, 2010 we issued $225 million of 73/4 percent senior notes due August 15, 2018 in a private offering. The net proceeds of this transaction, together with cash and available liquidity, was used to finance the redemption of our 101/4 percent senior secured notes due in 2013. We called the senior secured notes for redemption on August 3, 2010, and completed the redemption on September 2, 2010 at a price of 101.708 percent of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest. We recorded $5 million of expense related to our redemption of our 101/4 percent senior secured notes in the third quarter of 2010. The new notes are general senior obligations of Tenneco Inc. and are not secured by assets of Tenneco Inc. or the guarantors.
 
On June 3, 2010 we completed an amendment and extension of our senior secured credit facility by extending the term of our revolving credit facility and replacing our $128 million term loan A with a larger and longer maturity term loan B facility. As a result of the amendment and extension, as of September 30, 2010, the senior credit facility provides us with a total revolving credit facility size of $622 million until March 16, 2012, when commitments of $66 million will expire. After March 16, 2012, the extended revolving credit facility will provide $556 million of revolving credit and will mature on May 31, 2014. The extended facility will mature earlier on December 15, 2013, if our $130 million tranche B-1 letter of credit/revolving loan facility is not refinanced by that date. Prior to


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maturity, funds may be borrowed, repaid and re-borrowed under the two revolving credit facilities without premium or penalty. The leverage ratio (consolidated indebtedness net of cash divided by consolidated EBITDA as defined in the senior credit facility agreement) was decreased from 5.00 to 4.50 for the second quarter of 2010; from 4.75 to 4.25 for the third quarter of 2010; and from 4.50 to 4.25 for the fourth quarter of 2010 as a result of the June 3, 2010 amendment.
 
As of September 30, 2010, the senior credit facility also provides a six-year, $150 million term loan B maturing in June 2016, and a seven-year $130 million tranche B-1 letter of credit/revolving loan facility maturing in March 2014. The term loan B facility will mature earlier on August 16, 2014, if we do not refinance our senior subordinated notes by that date.
 
The tranche B-1 letter of credit/revolving loan facility requires repayment by March 2014. We can enter into revolving loans and issue letters of credit under the $130 million tranche B-1 letter of credit/revolving loan facility. The tranche B-1 letter of credit/revolving loan facility is reflected as debt on our balance sheet only if we borrow money under this facility or if we use the facility to make payments for letters of credit. There is no additional cost to us for issuing letters of credit under the tranche B-1 letter of credit/revolving loan facility. However, outstanding letters of credit reduce our availability to enter into revolving loans under the facility. We pay the tranche B-1 lenders interest at a rate equal to LIBOR plus a margin, which is offset by the return on the funds deposited with the administrative agent by the lenders which earn interest at an annual rate approximately equal to LIBOR less 25 basis points. Outstanding revolving loans reduce the funds on deposit with the administrative agent which in turn reduce the earnings of those deposits.
 
Beginning June 3, 2010 and following each fiscal quarter thereafter, the margin we pay on borrowings under our term loan B and revolving credit facility, incur interest at an annual rate equal to, at our option, either (i) the London Interbank Offered Rate plus a margin of 475 and 450 basis points, respectively, or (ii) a rate consisting of the greater of (a) the JPMorgan Chase prime rate plus a margin of 375 and 350 basis points, respectively, (b) the Federal Funds rate plus 50 basis points plus a margin of 375 and 350 basis points, respectively, and (c) the Eurodollar Rate plus 100 basis points plus a margin of 375 and 350 basis points, respectively. The margin we pay on these borrowings will be reduced by 25 basis points following each fiscal quarter for which our consolidated net leverage ratio is less than 2.25 for extending lenders and for the term loan B and will be further reduced by an additional 25 basis points following each fiscal quarter for which the consolidated net leverage ratio is less than 2.0 for extending lenders. The margin we pay on these borrowings for extending lenders will increase by 50 basis points following each fiscal quarter for which our consolidated net leverage ratio is greater than or equal to 4.0 and will be further increased by an additional 50 basis points following each fiscal quarter for which the consolidated net leverage ratio is greater than or equal to 5.0.
 
The margin we pay on borrowings under our tranche B-1 facility incurred interest at an annual rate equal to, at our option, either (i) the London Interbank Offered Rate plus a margin of 500 basis points, or (ii) a rate consisting of the greater of (a) the JPMorgan Chase prime rate plus a margin of 400 basis points, (b) the Federal Funds rate plus 50 basis points plus a margin of 400 basis points, and (c) the Eurodollar Rate plus 100 basis points plus a margin of 400 basis points. The rate will increase by 50 basis points following each fiscal quarter for which our consolidated net leverage ratio is greater than or equal to 5.0.
 
As of September 30, 2010 our outstanding debt also includes $225 million of 73/4 percent senior notes due August 15, 2018, $250 million of 81/8 percent senior notes due November 15, 2015, and $500 million of 85/8 percent senior subordinated notes due November 15, 2014. At September 30, 2010, we had unused borrowing capacity of $614 million under the $752 million amount available under the two revolving credit facilities within our senior secured credit facility with $86 million in outstanding borrowings and $52 million in letters of credit outstanding.
 
Senior Credit Facility — Interest Rates and Fees.  Borrowings and letters of credit issued under the senior credit facility bear interest at an annual rate equal to, at our option, either (i) the London Interbank Offered Rate plus a margin as set forth in the table below; or (ii) a rate consisting of the greater of the JPMorgan Chase prime rate, the


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Federal Funds rate plus 50 basis points or the Eurodollar Rate plus 100 basis points, plus a margin as set forth in the table below:
 
                                                         
    12/24/2008
    2/23/2009
    3/2/2009
    5/15/2009
    8/14/2009
    3/1/2010
       
    thru
    thru
    thru
    thru
    thru
    thru
    Beginning
 
    2/22/2009     3/1/2009     5/14/2009     8/13/2009     2/28/2010     6/2/2010     6/3/2010  
 
Applicable Margin over LIBOR for Revolving Loans
    3.00 %     5.50 %     4.50 %     5.00 %     5.50 %     4.50 %     4.50 %
Applicable Margin over LIBOR for Term Loan B Loans
                                        4.75 %
Applicable Margin over LIBOR for Term Loan A Loans
    3.00 %     5.50 %     4.50 %     5.00 %     5.50 %     4.50 %      
Applicable Margin over LIBOR for Tranche B-1 Loans
    3.00 %     5.50 %     5.00 %     5.00 %     5.50 %     5.00 %     5.00 %
Applicable Margin over Prime-based Loans
    2.00 %     4.50 %     3.50 %     4.00 %     4.50 %     3.50 %      
Applicable Margin over Prime for Revolving Loans
                                        3.50 %
Applicable Margin over Prime for Term Loan B Loans
                                        3.75 %
Applicable Margin over Prime for Tranche B-1 Loans
                                        4.00 %
Applicable Margin over Federal Funds for Revolving Loans
                                        3.50 %
Applicable Margin over Federal Funds for Term Loan B Loans
                                        3.75 %
Applicable Margin for Federal Funds for Tranche B-1 Loans
    2.50 %     5.00 %     4.00 %     4.50 %     5.00 %     4.00 %     4.00 %
Commitment Fee
    0.50 %     0.75 %     0.50 %     0.50 %     0.75 %     0.50 %     0.75 %
 
Senior Credit Facility — Other Terms and Conditions.  As described above, we are highly leveraged. Our senior credit facility requires that we maintain financial ratios equal to or better than the following consolidated net leverage ratio (consolidated indebtedness net of cash divided by consolidated EBITDA, as defined in the senior credit facility agreement), and consolidated interest coverage ratio (consolidated EBITDA divided by consolidated interest expense, as defined under the senior credit facility agreement) at the end of each period indicated. Failure to maintain these ratios will result in a default under our senior credit facility. The financial ratios required under the senior credit facility and, the actual ratios we achieved for the first three quarters of 2010, are as follows:
 
                                                 
    Quarter Ended  
    March 31,
    June 30,
    September 30,
 
    2010     2010     2010  
    Req.     Act.     Req.     Act.     Req.     Act.  
 
Leverage Ratio (maximum)
    5.50       2.77       4.50       2.42       4.25       2.41  
Interest Coverage Ratio (minimum)
    2.00       3.04       2.25       3.70       2.30       3.97  
 
The financial ratios required under the senior credit facility for the remainder of 2010 and beyond are set forth below:
 
                 
          Interest
 
    Leverage
    Coverage
 
Period Ending
  Ratio     Ratio  
 
December 31, 2010
    4.25       2.35  
March 31, 2011
    4.00       2.55  
June 30, 2011
    3.75       2.55  
September 30, 2011
    3.50       2.55  
December 31, 2011
    3.50       2.55  
Each quarter thereafter
    3.50       2.75  


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The covenants in our senior credit facility agreement generally prohibit us from repaying or refinancing our senior subordinated notes. We are, however, permitted under our senior credit facility agreement to repay or refinance our senior subordinated notes: (i) with the net cash proceeds of permitted refinancing indebtedness (as defined in the senior credit facility agreement); (ii) with the net cash proceeds of shares of our common stock; (iii) in exchange for permitted refinancing indebtedness or in exchange for shares of our common stock; and (iv) in an amount equal to the sum of (A) the net cash proceeds of qualified capital stock issued by us after March 16, 2007, plus (B) the portion of annual excess cash flow (as defined in the senior credit facility agreement), beginning with excess cash flow for fiscal year 2010, not required to be applied to the payment of the senior credit facilities and which is not used for other purposes, provided that (1) the aggregate principal amount of the senior subordinated notes purchased and cancelled or redeemed pursuant to this clause (iv) and (2) the sum of the aggregate principal amount of the senior subordinated notes purchased and cancelled or redeemed pursuant to this clause (iv) and the aggregate principle amount of senior unsecured notes purchased and cancelled or redeemed pursuant to clauses (v), (vi), and (vii) of the next paragraph are capped as follows based on the pro forma consolidated leverage ratio after giving effect to such purchase, cancellation or redemption:
 
                 
          Senior Subordinated
 
          Notes and Senior
 
    Senior Subordinated
    Unsecured Notes
 
    Notes Aggregate
    Aggregate
 
Pro forma Consolidated Leverage Ratio
  Maximum Amount     Maximum Amount  
(Millions)            
 
Greater than or equal to 3.0x   $ 20     $ 20  
Greater than or equal to 2.5x   $ 100     $ 100  
Less than 2.5x   $ 125     $ 125  
 
In addition, the covenants in our senior credit facility agreement generally prohibit us from repaying or refinancing our senior unsecured notes. We are, however, permitted under our senior credit facility agreement to repay or refinance our senior unsecured notes: (i) with the net cash proceeds of incremental facilities and permitted refinancing indebtedness (as defined in the senior credit facility agreement); (ii) with the net cash proceeds of shares of our common stock; (iii) in exchange for permitted refinancing indebtedness or in exchange for shares of our common stock; (iv) with the net cash proceeds of any new senior or subordinated unsecured indebtedness; (v) with the proceeds of revolving credit loans (as defined in the senior credit facility agreement); (vi) with the cash generated by the operations of the company; and (vii) in an amount equal to the sum of (A) the net cash proceeds of qualified stock issued by the company after March 16, 2007, plus (B) the portion of annual excess cash flow (beginning with excess cash flow for fiscal year 2010) not required to be applied to payment of the credit facilities and which is not used for other purposes, provided that the aggregate principal amount of senior unsecured notes purchased and cancelled or redeemed pursuant to clauses (v), (vi) and (vii), together with the aggregate principal amount of senior subordinated notes purchased and cancelled or redeemed pursuant to clause (iv) of the immediately preceding paragraph, is capped as follows based on the pro forma consolidated leverage ratio after giving effect to such purchase, cancellation or redemption:
 
         
    Aggregate Senior and
 
    Subordinated Note
 
Pro forma Consolidated Leverage Ratio
  Maximum Amount  
(Millions)      
 
Greater than or equal to 3.0x   $ 20  
Greater than or equal to 2.5x   $ 100  
Less than 2.5x   $ 125  
 
Any repayment or refinancing of our outstanding notes would be subject to market conditions and either the voluntary participation of noteholders or our ability to redeem the notes under the terms of the applicable indenture. The senior credit facility agreement also contains other restrictions on our operations that are customary for similar facilities, including limitations on: (i) incurring additional liens; (ii) sale and leaseback transactions (except for the permitted transactions as described in the senior credit facility agreement); (iii) liquidations and dissolutions; (iv) incurring additional indebtedness or guarantees; (v) investments and acquisitions; (vi) dividends and share repurchases; (vii) mergers and consolidations; and (viii) refinancing of subordinated and senior notes. Compliance with these requirements and restrictions is a condition for any incremental borrowings under the senior credit


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facility agreement and failure to meet these requirements enables the lenders to require repayment of any outstanding loans. As of September 30, 2010, we were in compliance with all the financial covenants and operational restrictions of the facility. Our senior credit facility does not contain any terms that could accelerate payment of the facility or affect pricing under the facility as a result of a credit rating agency downgrade.
 
Senior and Subordinated Notes.  As of September 30, 2010, our outstanding debt also includes $225 million of 73/4 percent senior notes due August 15, 2018, $250 million of 81/8 percent senior notes due November 15, 2015, and $500 million of 85/8 percent senior subordinated notes due November 15, 2014. Under the indentures governing the notes, we are permitted to redeem some or all of the remaining notes at any time after November 15, 2009 in the case of the senior subordinated notes, November 15, 2011 in the case of the senior notes due 2015 and August 14, 2014 in the case of the senior notes due 2018. If we sell certain of our assets or experience specified kinds of changes in control, we must offer to repurchase the notes. Under the indentures governing the notes, we are permitted to redeem up to 35 percent of the senior notes due 2015 and the senior notes due 2018, with the proceeds of certain equity offerings completed before November 15, 2010 and August 13, 2013, respectively.
 
Our senior and senior subordinated notes require that, as a condition precedent to incurring certain types of indebtedness not otherwise permitted, our consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio, as calculated on a pro forma basis, be greater than 2.00. The indentures also contain restrictions on our operations, including limitations on: (i) incurring additional indebtedness or liens; (ii) dividends; (iii) distributions and stock repurchases; (iv) investments; (v) asset sales and (vi) mergers and consolidations. Subject to limited exceptions, all of our existing and future material domestic wholly owned subsidiaries fully and unconditionally guarantee these notes on a joint and several basis. There are no significant restrictions on the ability of the subsidiaries that have guaranteed these notes to make distributions to us. The senior subordinated notes rank junior in right of payment to our senior credit facility and any future senior debt incurred. As of September 30, 2010, we were in compliance with the covenants and restrictions of these indentures.
 
Accounts Receivable Securitization.  In addition to our senior credit facility, senior notes and senior subordinated notes, we also securitize some of our accounts receivable on a limited recourse basis in North America and Europe. As servicer under these accounts receivable securitization programs, we are responsible for performing all accounts receivable administration functions for these securitized financial assets including collections and processing of customer invoice adjustments. In North America, we have an accounts receivable securitization program with three commercial banks. We securitize original equipment and aftermarket receivables on a daily basis under the bank program. The amount of outstanding third party investments in our securitized accounts receivable bank program was $0 and $62 million at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively. In February 2010, the North American program was amended and extended to February 18, 2011, at a maximum facility size of $100 million. As part of this renewal, the margin we pay to our banks decreased. In March 2010, the North American program was further amended to extend the revolving terms of the program to March 25, 2011, add an additional bank and increase the available financing under the facility by $10 million to a new maximum of $110 million. In addition, we added a second priority facility to the North American program, which provides up to an additional $40 million of financing against accounts receivable generated in the U.S. or Canada that would otherwise be ineligible under the existing securitization facility. This new second priority facility also expires on March 25, 2011, and is subordinated to the existing securitization facility.
 
Each facility contains customary covenants for financings of this type, including restrictions related to liens, payments, mergers or consolidation and amendments to the agreements underlying the receivables pool. Further, each facility may be terminated upon the occurrence of customary events (with customary grace periods, if applicable), including breaches of covenants, failure to maintain certain financial ratios, inaccuracies of representations and warranties, bankruptcy and insolvency events, certain changes in the rate of default or delinquency of the receivables, a change of control and the entry or other enforcement of material judgments. In addition, each facility contains cross-default provisions, where the facility could be terminated in the event of non-payment of other material indebtedness when due and any other event which permits the acceleration of the maturity of material indebtedness.
 
We also securitize receivables in our European operations to regional banks in Europe. The amount of outstanding third party investments in our securitized accounts receivable in Europe was $106 million and $75 million at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively. The arrangements to securitize receivables in Europe are provided under seven separate facilities provided by various financial institutions in each of the


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foreign jurisdictions. The commitments for these arrangements are generally for one year but some may be cancelled with notice 90 days prior to renewal. In some instances, the arrangement provides for cancellation by the applicable financial institution at any time upon 15 days, or less, notification.
 
If we were not able to securitize receivables under either the North American or European securitization programs, our borrowings under our revolving credit agreements might increase. These accounts receivable securitization programs provide us with access to cash at costs that are generally favorable to alternative sources of financing, and allow us to reduce borrowings under our revolving credit agreements.
 
We adopted the amended accounting guidance under ASC Topic 860, Accounting for Transfers of Financial Assets effective January 1, 2010. Prior to the adoption of this new guidance, we accounted for activities under our North American and European accounts receivable securitization programs as sales of financial assets to our banks. The new accounting guidance changed the conditions that must be met for the transfer of financial assets to be accounted for as a sale. The new guidance adds additional conditions that must be satisfied for transfers of financial assets to be accounted for as sales when the transferor has not transferred the entire original financial asset, including the requirement that no partial interest holder have rights in the transferred asset that are subordinate to the rights of other partial interest holders. In our North American accounts receivable securitization programs we transfer a partial interest in a pool of receivables and the interest that we retain is subordinate to the transferred interest. Accordingly, beginning January 1, 2010, we account for our North American securitization program as a secured borrowing. In our European programs we transfer accounts receivables in their entirety to the acquiring entities and satisfy all of the conditions established under amended ASC Topic 860 to report the transfer of financial assets in their entirety as a sale. The fair value of assets received as proceeds in exchange for the transfer of accounts receivable under our European securitization programs approximates the fair value of such receivables. We recognized $1 million and $3 million in interest expense for the three month and nine month periods ended September 30, 2010, respectively, relating to our North American securitization program which effective January 1, 2010, is accounted for as a secured borrowing arrangement under the amended accounting guidance for transfers of financial assets. In addition, we recognized a loss of $1 million and $2 million for the three month periods ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively, and $3 million and $6 million for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively, on the sale of trade accounts receivable in both the North American and European accounts receivable securitization programs, representing the discount from book values at which these receivables were sold to our banks. The discount rate varies based on funding costs incurred by our banks, which averaged approximately 4 percent during 2010.
 
The impact of the new accounting rules on our condensed consolidated financial statements includes an increase of $1 million and $3 million in interest expense and a corresponding decrease in loss on sale of receivables on our income statement for the three month and nine month periods ended September 30, 2010, respectively. For the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2010, there was no cash flow impact as a result of the new accounting rules. Funding levels provided by our European securitization programs continue to be reflected as a change in receivables and included in net cash provided (used) by operating activities as under the previous accounting rules. Had the new accounting rules been in effect in 2009, reported receivables and short-term debt would both have been $62 million higher as of December 31, 2009. The loss on sale of receivables would have been $1 million and $4 million lower, offset by a corresponding $1 million and $4 million increase to interest expense for the three month and nine month periods ended September 30, 2009, respectively. Additionally, our cash provided (used) by operations would have decreased by $19 million and $85 million with a corresponding increase in cash provided by financing activities for the same amount for the three month and nine month periods ended September 30, 2009, respectively.
 
Capital Requirements.  We believe that cash flows from operations, combined with available borrowing capacity described above, assuming that we maintain compliance with the financial covenants and other requirements of our loan agreement, will be sufficient to meet our future capital requirements, including debt amortization, capital expenditures, pension contributions, and other operational requirements, for the following year. Our ability to meet the financial covenants depends upon a number of operational and economic factors, many of which are beyond our control. Factors that could impact our ability to comply with the financial covenants include the rate at which consumers continue to buy new vehicles and the rate at which they continue to repair vehicles already in service, as well as our ability to successfully implement our restructuring plans and operate at historically low


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production rates. Further deterioration in North American vehicle production levels, weakening in the global aftermarket, or a further reduction in vehicle production levels in Europe, beyond our expectations, could impact our ability to meet our financial covenant ratios. In the event that we are unable to meet these financial covenants, we would consider several options to meet our cash flow needs. Such actions include additional restructuring initiatives and other cost reductions, sales of assets, reductions to working capital and capital spending, issuance of equity and other alternatives to enhance our financial and operating position. Should we be required to implement any of these actions to meet our cash flow needs, we believe we can do so in a reasonable time frame.
 
Derivative Financial Instruments
 
Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk
 
We use derivative financial instruments, principally foreign currency forward purchase and sale contracts with terms of less than one year, to hedge our exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Our primary exposure to changes in foreign currency rates results from intercompany loans made between affiliates to minimize the need for borrowings from third parties. Additionally, we enter into foreign currency forward purchase and sale contracts to mitigate our exposure to changes in exchange rates on certain intercompany and third-party trade receivables and payables. We manage counter-party credit risk by entering into derivative financial instruments with major financial institutions that can be expected to fully perform under the terms of such agreements. We do not enter into derivative financial instruments for speculative purposes.
 
In managing our foreign currency exposures, we identify and aggregate existing offsetting positions and then hedge residual exposures through third-party derivative contracts. The following table summarizes by major currency the notional amounts, weighted-average settlement rates, and fair value for foreign currency forward purchase and sale contracts as of September 30, 2010. The fair value of our foreign currency forward contracts is based on an internally developed model which incorporates observable inputs including quoted spot rates, forward exchange rates and discounted future expected cash flows utilizing market interest rates with similar quality and maturity characteristics. All contracts in the following table mature in 2010.
                             
        September 30, 2010  
        Notional Amount
    Weighted Average
    Fair Value in
 
        in Foreign Currency     Settlement Rates     U.S. Dollars  
        (Millions Except Settlement Rates)  
 
Australian dollars
  —Purchase     26       0.965       26  
    —Sell     (5 )     0.964       (5 )
British pounds
  —Purchase     29       1.572       45  
    —Sell     (25 )     1.572       (39 )
European euro
  —Purchase                  
    —Sell     (4 )     1.368       (6 )
South African rand
  —Purchase     204       0.144       29  
    —Sell     (51 )     0.144       (7 )
U.S. dollars
  —Purchase     3       1.003       3  
    —Sell     (50 )     1.001       (50 )
Other
  —Purchase     498       0.012       6  
    —Sell     (1 )     0.972       (1 )
                             
                        $ 1  
                             
 
Interest Rate Risk
 
Our financial instruments that are sensitive to market risk for changes in interest rates are primarily our debt securities. We use our revolving credit facilities to finance our short-term and long-term capital requirements. We pay a current market rate of interest on these borrowings. Our long-term capital requirements have been financed with long-term debt with original maturity dates ranging from five to ten years. On September 30, 2010, we had $989 million in long-term debt obligations that have fixed interest rates. Of that amount, $225 million is fixed


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through August 2018, $500 million is fixed through November 2014, $250 million is fixed through November 2015, and the remainder is fixed from 2010 through 2025. We also have $241 million in long-term debt obligations that are subject to variable interest rates. For more detailed explanations on our debt structure and senior credit facility refer to “Liquidity and Capital Resources — Capitalization” earlier in this Management’s Discussion and Analysis.
 
We estimate that the fair value of our long-term debt at September 30, 2010 was about 102 percent of its book value. A one percentage point increase or decrease in interest rates would increase or decrease the annual interest expense we recognize in the income statement and the cash we pay for interest expense by about $3 million.
 
Environmental and Other Matters
 
We are subject to a variety of environmental and pollution control laws and regulations in all jurisdictions in which we operate. We expense or capitalize, as appropriate, expenditures for ongoing compliance with environmental regulations that relate to current operations. We expense costs related to an existing condition caused by past operations that do not contribute to current or future revenue generation. We record liabilities when environmental assessments indicate that remedial efforts are probable and the costs can be reasonably estimated. Estimates of the liability are based upon currently available facts, existing technology, and presently enacted laws and regulations taking into consideration the likely effects of inflation and other societal and economic factors. We consider all available evidence including prior experience in remediation of contaminated sites, other companies’ cleanup experiences and data released by the United States Environmental Protection Agency or other organizations. These estimated liabilities are subject to revision in future periods based on actual costs or new information. Where future cash flows are fixed or reliably determinable, we have discounted the liabilities. All other environmental liabilities are recorded at their undiscounted amounts. We evaluate recoveries separately from the liability and, when they are assured, recoveries are recorded and reported separately from the associated liability in our condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
As of September 30, 2010, we have the obligation to remediate or contribute towards the remediation of certain sites, including two existing Superfund sites. At September 30, 2010, our estimated share of environmental remediation costs at these sites was approximately $18 million on a discounted basis. The undiscounted value of the estimated remediation costs was $22 million. For those locations in which the liability was discounted, the weighted average discounted rate used was 2.6 percent. Based on information known to us, we have established reserves that we believe are adequate for these costs. Although we believe these estimates of remediation costs are reasonable and are based on the latest available information, the costs are estimates and are subject to revision as more information becomes available about the extent of remediation required. At some sites, we expect that other parties will contribute towards the remediation costs. In addition, certain environmental statutes provide that our liability could be joint and several, meaning that we could be required to pay in excess of our share of remediation costs. Our understanding of the financial strength of other potentially responsible parties at these sites has been considered, where appropriate, in our determination of our estimated liability.
 
The $18 million noted above includes $6 million of estimated environmental remediation costs that result from the bankruptcy of Mark IV Industries in 2009. Prior to our 1996 acquisition of The Pullman Company, Pullman had sold certain assets to Mark IV. As partial consideration for the purchase of these assets, Mark IV agreed to assume Pullman’s and its subsidiaries’ historical obligations to contribute to the environmental remediation of certain sites. Mark IV has filed a petition for insolvency under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code and notified Pullman that it no longer intends to continue to contribute toward the remediation of those sites. We are conducting a thorough analysis and review of these matters and it is possible that our estimate may change as additional information becomes available to us.
 
We do not believe that any potential costs associated with our current status as a potentially responsible party in the Superfund sites, or as a liable party at the other locations referenced herein, will be material to our condensed consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows.
 
We also from time to time are involved in legal proceedings, claims or investigations that are incidental to the conduct of our business. Some of these proceedings allege damages against us relating to environmental liabilities (including toxic tort, property damage and remediation), intellectual property matters (including patent, trademark and copyright infringement, and licensing disputes), personal injury claims (including injuries due to product


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failure, design or warning issues, and other product liability related matters), taxes, employment matters, and commercial or contractual disputes, sometimes related to acquisitions or divestitures. For example, one of our Argentine subsidiaries is currently defending against a criminal complaint alleging the failure to comply with laws requiring the proceeds of export transactions to be collected, reported and/or converted to local currency within specified time periods. As another example, we have become subject to an audit in 12 states of our practices with respect to the payment of unclaimed property to those states. We currently have practices in place which we believe ensure that we pay unclaimed property as required. We are in the initial stages of this audit, which could cover nearly 30 years. We vigorously defend ourselves against all of these claims. In future periods, we could be subjected to cash costs or non-cash charges to earnings if any of these matters is resolved on unfavorable terms. However, although the ultimate outcome of any legal matter cannot be predicted with certainty, based on current information, including our assessment of the merits of the particular claim, we do not expect that these legal proceedings or claims will have any material adverse impact on our future consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
 
In addition, we are subject to a number of lawsuits initiated by a significant number of claimants alleging health problems as a result of exposure to asbestos. In the early 2000’s we were named in nearly 20,000 complaints, most of which were filed in Mississippi state court and the vast majority of which made no allegations of exposure to asbestos from our product categories. Most of these claims have been dismissed and our current docket of active and inactive cases is less than 500 cases nationwide. A small number of claims have been asserted by railroad workers alleging exposure to asbestos products in railroad cars manufactured by The Pullman Company, one of our subsidiaries. The balance of the claims is related to alleged exposure to asbestos in our automotive emission control products. Only a small percentage of these claimants allege that they were automobile mechanics and a significant number appear to involve workers in other industries or otherwise do not include sufficient information to determine whether there is any basis for a claim against us. We believe, based on scientific and other evidence, it is unlikely that mechanics were exposed to asbestos by our former muffler products and that, in any event, they would not be at increased risk of asbestos-related disease based on their work with these products. Further, many of these cases involve numerous defendants, with the number of each in some cases exceeding 100 defendants from a variety of industries. Additionally, the plaintiffs either do not specify any, or specify the jurisdictional minimum, dollar amount for damages. As major asbestos manufacturers continue to go out of business or file for bankruptcy, we may experience an increased number of these claims. We vigorously defend ourselves against these claims as part of our ordinary course of business. In future periods, we could be subject to cash costs or non-cash charges to earnings if any of these matters is resolved unfavorably to us. To date, with respect to claims that have proceeded sufficiently through the judicial process, we have regularly achieved favorable resolution. Accordingly, we presently believe that these asbestos-related claims will not have a material adverse impact on our future consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
 
Employee Stock Ownership Plans
 
We have established Employee Stock Ownership Plans for the benefit of our domestic employees. Under the plans, subject to limitations in the Internal Revenue Code, participants may elect to defer up to 75 percent of their salary through contributions to the plan, which are invested in selected mutual funds or used to buy our common stock. We match in cash 50 percent of each employee’s contribution up to eight percent of the employee’s salary. In 2009, we temporarily discontinued these matching contributions as a result of the recent global economic downturn. We restored the matching contributions to salaried and non-union hourly U.S. employees beginning on January 1, 2010. In connection with freezing the defined benefit pension plans for nearly all U.S. based salaried and non-union hourly employees effective December 31, 2006, and the related replacement of those defined benefit plans with defined contribution plans, we are making additional contributions to the Employee Stock Ownership Plans. We recorded expense for these contributions of approximately $12 million and $7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Matching contributions vest immediately. Defined benefit replacement contributions fully vest on the employee’s third anniversary of employment.


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ITEM 3.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
 
For information regarding our exposure to interest rate risk and foreign currency exchange rate risk, see the caption entitled “Derivative Financial Instruments” in “Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” which is incorporated herein by reference.
 
ITEM 4.  CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
 
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
 
An evaluation was carried out under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and Rule 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) as of the end of the quarter covered by this report. Based on their evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by our company in reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms and such information is accumulated and communicated to management as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.
 
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
 
There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended September 30, 2010, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.


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PART II
 
ITEM 1A.  RISK FACTORS
 
We are exposed to certain risks and uncertainties that could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and operating results. There have been no material changes to the Risk Factors described in Part I, Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.
 
ITEM 2.  UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
 
(a) None.
 
(b) Not applicable.
 
(c) Purchase of equity securities by the issuer and affiliated purchasers.  The following table provides information relating to our purchase of shares of our common stock in the third quarter of 2010. All of these purchases reflect shares withheld upon vesting of restricted stock, to satisfy statutory minimum tax withholding obligations.
 
                 
    Total Number of
    Average
 
Period
  Shares Purchased     Price Paid  
 
July 2010
    667     $ 22.02  
August 2010
        $  
September 2010
        $  
                 
Total
    667     $ 22.02  
 
We presently have no publicly announced repurchase plan or program, but intend to continue to satisfy statutory minimum tax withholding obligations in connection with the vesting of outstanding restricted stock through the withholding of shares.


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SIGNATURE
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Tenneco Inc. has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
 
TENNECO INC.
 
  By: 
/s/  Kenneth R. Trammell
Kenneth R. Trammell
Executive Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer
 
Dated: November 8, 2010


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INDEX TO EXHIBITS
TO
QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q
FOR QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2010
 
             
Exhibit
       
Number
     
Description
 
  *3 .1     Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Tenneco International Holding Corp. dated as of April 29, 2010.
  *10 .1     Form of Tenneco Inc. 2006 Long-Term Incentive Plan Restricted Stock Award Agreement.
  *10 .2     Second Amendment to Tenneco Inc. Incentive Deferral Plan effective as of January 1, 2011.
  *12       Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.
  *15 .1     Letter of PricewaterhouseCoopers regarding interim financial information.
  *15 .2     Letter of Deloitte and Touche LLP regarding interim financial information.
  *31 .1     Certification of Gregg M. Sherrill under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
  *31 .2     Certification of Kenneth R. Trammell under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
  *32 .1     Certification of Gregg M. Sherrill and Kenneth R. Trammell under Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
* Filed herewith.


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