| A long history of helping vehicle manufacturers deliver enhanced ride and handling has won Tenneco Inc. new ride control business from Volvo. The company will supply its Continuously Controlled Electronic Suspension (CES) shock absorbers as optional components of the Interactive Vehicle Dynamic Control Four-C Chassis on the new Volvo XC60. "A vehicle's ride and handling performance are among the top influencers in consumer buying decisions," says Karel Van Bael, vice president and general manager, Europe original equipment ride control. "Tenneco's reputation has driven greater demand for high performance suspension systems like our electronic CES shock absorbers." CES is a semi-active suspension system that achieves optimal balance between ride comfort and handling. The CES system changes the feel of a vehicle's ride by continuously adjusting the shock absorber damping levels to driver inputs, road conditions and vehicle dynamics like speed and cornering. Tenneco developed the system together with Öhlins Racing. Tenneco manufactures the CES shock absorbers at its Ermua, Spain facility. Tenneco has a long history with Volvo. The first generation CES went into production in 2003 as standard equipment on the Volvo R-line and as an option on the S80, V70 and S60. Since then, Tenneco has been expanding its share of the electronic suspension market, supplying the Ford S-Max, Galaxy & Mondeo, the new Volvo S80 & V70, Volvo XC70, as well as the Audi A6, Audi Allroad, Mercedes C-class, the new VW Passat CC, VW Scirocco, VW Eos and VW Tiguan. Tenneco announced earlier this year that it projects it will achieve an average compounded annual OE revenue growth rate of 11 percent to 13 percent between 2008 and 2012. The Volvo business that was recently announced is included in that projection. For more information about Tenneco, visit the company's Web site. |
